One of the Square Mile sights you might have missed over the years is the former brewery a stone’s throw from the Barbican. The grand old building is now owned by the Montcalm Collection, the London hotel firm that specialises in period conversions. Their Mayfair property repurposes a row of Georgian townhouses, and their Finsbury Square property is within the former Royal Mail headquarters.

As for the city branch, this Montcalm property extends beyond the hotel to The Chiswell Street Dining Rooms and The Jugged Hare pub over the road. Also formerly parts of the brewery, they have transformed into luxury food joints, 40 years since the last beer was brewed on the site.

The pub has taxidermy hares as per its namesake, as well as a litany of other wild animals hanging rather unceremoniously from its walls, and a traditional pub atmosphere with very good food. The Chiswell Street Dining Rooms, however, is more traditional and refined, again with a best of British approach. 

Inside the Montcalm Brewery

Anyway, back to the hotel, and rooms fuse period historical charm with modern functionality. Bedrooms are spacious, many with four-poster beds, and classic sash windows, with views out onto the never-changing Georgian streets and the Barbican beyond.

There’s also an on-site Montcalm Brewery fitness suite.

As for the benefits of Montcalm, early check-in and late check-out are offered as standard if they are available, as are complimentary room upgrades.

And you’re a two minute amble away from a leading cultural institution, with all of its exhibitions, theatre shows, live gigs, cinema, restaurants and events programming.