PLEASE NOTE: Due to unforeseen circumstances, Yardlife has closed and will re-open in mid-January. Nudge Members will be able to redeem their last weekend of 50% off food when it reopens.
One quick glance into our special Culinary Crystal Ball That Only Reveals Really Cool Stuff tells us that in the spring of 2025, Dalston Yard is going to open, bringing a pupil-dilating swathe of great kitchens, bars, banquets, DJs, and more into one space.
And yes, we get it: how does that help you if you’re hungry now?? Well, that’s the other bit of good news – because as of this Saturday, we’re getting a three month preview of the whole thing in the form of Yardlife. They’ll be testing out the concept with a stellar opening lineup of chefs – and Nudge Members (plus up to three lucky guests) are getting 50% off food from the very best of them, including Live Fire Feast by Andrew Clarke (of ACME Fire Cult fame), Wavy, HEARD and Around The Cluck from 7th – 22nd December. And as a cherry on top, Nudge Members are also getting complimentary welcome cocktails over the opening weekend.
The whole idea comes to us from Dominic Cools-Lartigue, the man behind Street Feast. This will be a step up from that, drawing from the same creative energy as places like Arcade. The space itself is going to be – get this – in Dalston. Specifically, in the large warehouse next to ACME Fire Cult and the Dusty Knuckle, which all backs onto Dalston Curve Gardens. It’ll only be a 30-second walk from the Overground line, and it’s going to be huge.
Inside, there’ll be room for a whopping 500 people to sit on dozens of scattered tables, which in turn will be surrounded by multiple kitchens. You’ll be able to order from any of them (or a mix of several) and have it all either delivered to your seat, or just rock up to the counters yourself.
On the opening December dance card, we can expect the likes of:
- Andrew Clarke’s Live Fire Feast – steaks, chops, prime cuts and ribs scorched on a massive live fire pit, from the man behind ACME Fire Cult himself.*
- HEARD – from chef Jordan Bailey of Aimsir’s (the fastest ever straight to two-star restaurant in the history of the UK Michelin Guide) these will be his premium smashburgers.*
- Around The Cluck – courtesy of uberchef James Cochran (the man behind 12:51), this will be serving his high-end fried chicken.*
- WAVY Seafood Bar – which will be serving up lobster rolls, oysters & whole grilled fish.*
- WINEHAUS – a wine bar & charcuterie spot slinging organic, biodynamic & natural wines along with raw milk cheeses, Portuguese tinned fish, and cured meats from the French Basque Country.
- Freak Scene – from Scott Hallsworth, famed for his eclectic twists on South East Asian plates
- 5 Star Dive Bar – by Rich Woods, AKA The Cocktail Guy
- The Winter Pudding Pantry – delivering the likes of buttermilk pudding with salted caramel, or pear and brown butter tart
- (*These are the kitchens that Nudge Members will be getting 50% off at)
Annnnd that’s just for starters. The whole concept will be around until 22nd December, and after a quick break in the New Year they’ll be back with yet more top-shelf kitchens, including Denai Moore with Dee’s Kitchen, and a new concept from Gizzi Erskine. And as a final cherry on top of it all, they’ll have a schedule of local DJs performing each weekend too.
It looks like this will be the new Yard-stick for great food halls…
NOTE: Yardlife opened on Saturday 7th December, but due to unforeseen circumstances has closed early. Yardlife will then return on Friday 17th January 2025 until the end of February 2025. You can find out more, and make a booking at the Dalston Yard website.
PERK: Nudge Members +3 will get 50% off food at Andrew Clarkes Fire Feast, Wavy, HEARD and Around The Cluck from 7th – 22nd December. If you attend over the opening weekend, you will also each get a complimentary welcome cocktail. To find out how to redeem, just head to the ‘50% Off’ banner at the top of this page.
Yardlife | Hartwell St, E8 3DU
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