Key Points
- Launch Date: Homeboy in Islington will officially start serving its Guinness afternoon tea on 10 October.
- Location: The event takes place at Homeboy, an Irish cocktail bar situated at 108 Essex Road, Islington, North London.
- Savoury Menu: Includes Irish smoked salmon served on Guinness soda bread, a traditional beef and Guinness stew, and an Irish beef slider topped with Guinness gravy.
- Sweet Menu: Features a mini Guinness cake alongside a Black Velvet blancmange.
- Drink Options: Standard packages include a welcome drink—a pint of Guinness, a frozen Irish coffee with a Guinness infusion, or a pot of Barry’s tea. Upgraded drink pairings feature options such as a Black Velvet or a Baby Guinness.
- Pricing Structure: The standard afternoon tea experience is priced at £45, whilst the upgraded version with full drink pairings costs £65.
Islington (North London News) September 12, 2026 — In a major expansion of North London’s culinary offerings, Irish cocktail venue Homeboy on Essex Road has confirmed the launch of a dedicated Guinness-themed afternoon tea, set to begin service in October.
As reported by Gavin Hanly of Hot Dinners and expanded upon by Time Out London, the upcoming menu merges traditional afternoon tea concepts with stout-infused food items and beverage pairings. According to reporting by Time Out London, the initiative represents an intersection between London’s ongoing affinity for Guinness and the city’s established tourist trade surrounding traditional high tea experiences.
What Is Included on the Guinness Afternoon Tea Menu at Homeboy?
As detailed by Gavin Hanly of Hot Dinners, the venue’s new afternoon tea menu features Guinness-infused components across both its savoury and sweet courses.
On the savoury side, guests will be served:
- Irish smoked salmon set upon Guinness soda bread Hot Dinners
- Beef and Guinness stew Hot Dinners
- An Irish beef slider accompanied by Guinness gravy Hot Dinners
For the sweet selection, the culinary team at Homeboy has developed:
- A mini Guinness cake Hot Dinners
- A Black Velvet blancmange Hot Dinners
What Drink Options and Pricing Tiers Are Available for Bookings?
As reported by Hot Dinners and confirmed by Time Out London, guests attending the afternoon tea will receive a choice of welcome beverage upon arrival. The initial options include:
- A pint of draught Guinness Hot Dinners
- A frozen Irish coffee crafted with a Guinness infusion Hot Dinners
- A pot of traditional Irish Barry’s tea Hot Dinners
Furthermore, the publication reports that an optional drinks pairing package is available. This upgraded option allows patrons to receive two additional drinks alongside the food menu, featuring beverages such as a Black Velvet (a cocktail combination of Guinness and champagne) or a Baby Guinness.
As detailed in Hot Dinners, the pricing structure for the experience is split into two tiers:
- Standard Afternoon Tea: £45 per person Hot Dinners
- Afternoon Tea with Drinks Pairing: £65 per person Hot Dinners
Bookings are available to reserve ahead of the official start date on 10 October.
Background of the Particular Development
The launch of a Guinness-themed afternoon tea by Homeboy reflects broader trends within both the UK hospitality sector and London’s pub culture. Located at 108 Essex Road in Islington, Homeboy was established to showcase modern Irish hospitality, cocktails, and traditional Irish spirits, including an extensive selection of Irish whiskies and draught stout. Over recent years, Guinness has experienced a widespread resurgence in popularity across urban centres in the United Kingdom, transitioning from a traditional pub staple to a prominent feature across lifestyle media, social platforms, and specialized hospitality venues.
Concurrently, traditional afternoon tea—historically associated with luxury hotels and tea rooms—has undergone continuous adaptation by independent bars and restaurants seeking to target younger demographics. By incorporating stout-infused ingredients into soda bread, stews, sliders, and desserts, Homeboy’s addition to its schedule combines Irish pub traditions with classic British tea service.
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Impact Prediction: How This Development Affects Hospitality Consumers and Local Businesses
The introduction of the Guinness afternoon tea is expected to impact several specific stakeholder groups across North London:
- Local Hospitality Patrons and Guinness Enthusiasts: Consumers seeking non-traditional dining experiences will gain access to a themed menu that expands how stout is consumed in a culinary context. The availability of pairings such as the Black Velvet and frozen Irish coffee provides a specialized service tier not typically found in standard pub environments. Hot Dinners
- Independent Business Competition in Islington: For Homeboy, offering a distinct niche concept provides a key differentiator in a competitive food and beverage marketplace. It creates an additional revenue stream during afternoon operating hours, which traditionally experience lower footfall compared to evening trade.
- Broader London Tourism and Hospitality Sector: If successful, the concept could encourage other independent venues across London to develop similar hybrid culinary experiences, combining traditional British dining formats with specific beverage branding to draw domestic and international tourists. Hot Dinners
