Key Points
- Ownership Change: Brothers Jonathan and Andy Perritt sold The Stag pub on Fleet Road, Hampstead, to Young’s pub chain last August after 17 years of operation, marking the end with “one big final Stag party to blow the fuse at the very end”.
- Refurbishment Details: Young’s has invested in a five-month refurbishment, transforming the upstairs function room and flat into a full floor for house parties, revamping the beer garden, restoring original Victorian features like mounted stags, etched mirrors, and open fireplaces.
- Reopening Date: The pub reopens on January 22, promising a “freshened up yet reassuringly familiar” classic British boozer experience.
- New Features: Outdoor bar and screens in the beer garden for live sports like Six Nations rugby; new garden room with cobblestone floors, fireplace, and retractable awnings for year-round events; “Upstairs at The Stag” private event space with three connected areas, kitchen, beer taps, and options for custom playlists or DJs.
- Drinks Menu: Rotating craft beers including Pretty Decent Beer, Verdant, and Deya, alongside Guinness, Asahi, and Modelo; seasonally changing martini menu with options like Dirty, Spicy, and Tomatini.
- Food Offerings: All-day menu with pub classics like tear-and-share ‘Stag Bag’ (Irish spice bag nod), rotisserie chicken, Stag chicken wings; lunchtime toasties for Heath walkers and Royal Free staff; Sunday roasts with trimmings.
- Celebrity Connections: Fans included DJ Edith Bowman, TV presenter Laura Whitmore, and Hollywood director Tim Burton.
- Young’s Portfolio: The chain operates 280 pubs, including The Flask in Hampstead, The Queens in Primrose Hill, and The Bull and Gate in Kentish Town.
- Historical Note: The pub dates back to 1874 as a Victorian watering hole.
The Stag, a beloved Victorian pub on Fleet Road in Hampstead overlooking Hampstead Heath, reopens its doors on January 22 after a comprehensive five-month refurbishment by new owners Young’s pub chain. Brothers Jonathan and Andy Perritt, who ran the boozer for 17 years, sold it last August, bidding farewell with “one big final Stag party to blow the fuse at the very end”. Young’s, known for managing 280 pubs across the UK including local favourites like The Flask in Hampstead, The Queens in Primrose Hill, and The Bull and Gate in Kentish Town, has poured investment into preserving its heritage while adding modern twists to attract both regulars and newcomers.
The refurbishment restores original features such as mounted stags on the walls, etched mirrors, and open fireplaces, while introducing an outdoor bar, screens for live sports like the Six Nations rugby, and a new garden room designed for year-round bookings. Upstairs, a former function room and flat now form “Upstairs at The Stag”, a versatile private event space. Regulars can expect a familiar classic British boozer vibe with fresh enhancements, including rotating craft beers and a changing martini menu.
When Does The Stag Pub Reopen?
The Stag will fling open its doors on January 22, as confirmed across multiple reports on the refurbishment project. This date follows a five-month closure since the sale last August, allowing Young’s to complete extensive upgrades without rushing the heritage-sensitive work.
As detailed in coverage by the Hampstead & Highgate Express, the reopening promises a “freshened up yet reassuringly familiar” atmosphere, blending tradition with contemporary appeal.
Who Bought The Stag Pub in Hampstead?
Young’s pub chain acquired The Stag from brothers Jonathan and Andy Perritt last August. The siblings had operated the pub for 17 years, transforming it into a local institution.
As reported by Phoebe Louca of the Hampstead & Highgate Express in their article “Hampstead’s Stag pub sold to Young’s pub chain”, the Perritt brothers marked the handover with “one big final Stag party to blow the fuse at the very end”. Young’s, a major operator with 280 pubs nationwide, saw the acquisition as an opportunity to revitalise the 1874 Victorian watering hole.
What Refurbishments Have Been Made to The Stag?
Young’s has invested heavily in the refurbishment, turning the upstairs function room and flat into a dedicated floor for house parties. Key changes include:
- Restoration of original features: mounted stags on walls, etched mirrors, and open fireplaces.
- Revamped beer garden with a new outdoor bar and screens for live sports fixtures such as the Six Nations rugby.
- A new garden room featuring cobblestone floors, a fireplace, and retractable awnings, creating a year-round venue for birthdays and family celebrations.
The ground floor maintains its classic boozer layout, ensuring it feels “reassuringly familiar”. “Upstairs at The Stag” spans three connected areas: a kitchen with vintage fridge and butcher’s block for food packages, a cosy ‘living room’ for gatherings, and an outdoor mingling space. It boasts its own beer taps, allowing guests to play custom setlists or book a DJ.
These details emerge consistently from local reporting, emphasising Young’s commitment to blending heritage with functionality.
Which Celebrities Were Fans of The Stag?
The Stag attracted a starry crowd during the Perritts’ tenure. DJ Edith Bowman, TV presenter Laura Whitmore, and Hollywood director Tim Burton numbered among its fans.
As reported by Phoebe Louca of the Hampstead & Highgate Express, these high-profile regulars helped cement the pub’s reputation as a Hampstead hotspot since its 1874 origins. The celebrity endorsement underscores its draw for locals and visitors alike, a legacy Young’s aims to build upon.
What Drinks Will Be Available at The Stag After Reopening?
Patrons can look forward to a robust drinks lineup blending craft innovation with pub staples. Expect ales such as Pretty Decent Beer, Verdant, and Deya, alongside favourites like Guinness, Asahi, and Modelo. A seasonally changing martini menu features options from Dirty and Spicy to a Tomatini.
The beer garden’s new outdoor bar enhances al fresco drinking, particularly for sports viewers. Upstairs spaces include dedicated beer taps, ensuring seamless service for events. This curated selection positions The Stag as a destination for beer enthusiasts and cocktail lovers in North London.
What Food Options Does The New Stag Menu Offer?
The all-day menu delivers a “fresh spin on pub classics”. Highlights include:
- Tear-and-share ‘Stag Bag’, nodding to the Irish spice bag.
- Rotisserie chicken dishes and Stag chicken wings.
- Lunchtime toasties for Hampstead Heath walkers and Royal Free Hospital staff.
- Sunday roasts with all the trimmings.
The upstairs kitchen, equipped with a vintage fridge and butcher’s block, supports tailored food packages for events. These offerings cater to casual drop-ins and planned gatherings, reinforcing the pub’s community role.
How Has Young’s Enhanced The Stag’s Event Spaces?
“Upstairs at The Stag” emerges as the refurbishment’s centrepiece, spread across three connected areas for private hire. It includes a kitchen area for food and drinks, a cosy living room for intimate catch-ups, and an outdoor space for mingling, all with independent beer taps.
Guests can curate their own setlists or hire a DJ, making it ideal for house parties, birthdays, and celebrations. The garden room downstairs complements this with its versatile, weather-proof design. Young’s broader portfolio, including nearby pubs like The Flask, demonstrates their expertise in creating bookable spaces that drive revenue while preserving pub culture.
Why Is The Stag Important to Hampstead Heath Locals?
Nestled on Fleet Road near Hampstead Heath, The Stag has long served as a post-walk pitstop for ramblers and a social hub for the Royal Free Hospital community. Its reopening revives a 150-year-old tradition, with restored features evoking its Victorian roots.
Local coverage highlights its enduring appeal: the Perritts’ 17-year stewardship built loyalty, now extended by Young’s thoughtful upgrades. Regulars anticipate the familiar open fireplaces and stags, paired with modern perks like sports screens and event spaces. In a borough rich with pubs, The Stag’s evolution ensures it remains a North London staple.
What Is Young’s Background with Hampstead Pubs?
Young’s operates 280 pubs UK-wide, with a strong Hampstead presence via The Flask. Other North London sites include The Queens in Primrose Hill and The Bull and Gate in Kentish Town, showcasing their model of heritage preservation meets contemporary hospitality.
This acquisition fits Young’s strategy of acquiring characterful freehouses like The Stag, investing in refurbishments to boost footfall. Reports note their focus on craft beers and seasonal menus, aligning perfectly with Hampstead’s discerning drinkers.
The reopening of The Stag signals a bright chapter for this Fleet Road icon. With its blend of history, celebrity lore, and fresh amenities, it stands ready to reclaim its place among Hampstead’s best boozers. Local eyes will watch closely come January 22.
