From the guys behind CRATE brewery comes Mick’s Garage comprising of a coffee roastery; Jarr Bar, serving house brewed kombucha; and Shukshuk market BBQ from Berber & Q founders Josh Katz and Mattia Bianchi. The warehouse space, previously Mick’s Mechanics is now home to resident DJ’s, bands, pop-ups and supper clubs.
A giant roller shutter provides the entrance to the split-level garage. On the ground floor, walls lined with rows of CRATE kegs frame a mess hall of trestle tables with reclaimed seating and Shukshuk, a corrugated iron shack. Mick’s old office houses the roastery, supplying the espresso bar with limited edition runs of coffee beans from around the world. These include a limited edition Costa Rican White Honey Processed Coffee, which is sourced directly by the head roaster from the Asoleado Farm in Alajuela. Next to the roastery will be Jarr Bar, a kombucha bar made from recycled chipboard. Hatch doors open to reveal taps pouring CRATE’s craft beers and sparkling kombucha, flavoured with ginger, fresh raspberry or passion fruit, while jars displaying peculiar looking live ‘SCOBY’s’ that ferment the tea line the back of the bar.
A set of industrial stairs reach the mezzanine level, the stage for a revolving roster of musicians and DJs, and comfy chesterfield sofas sit amongst potted ferns and strung festoon lighting. Troughs of Epiphytes, Hemelias and Orchids form a hanging garden over the entire space, creating a botanical ‘chandelier’ of greenery and colour.
‘At CRATE we’ve survived on the motto, if we love something, let’s learn how to do it and do it ourselves’ says co-founder, Jess. ‘From the beer and kombucha we brew, to the misused furniture, everything we do is about surrounding ourselves with what we love’ adds Neil. ‘CRATE began life as a brewery and has become its own community for the East End’ says Tom.
At the rear of the garage is Shukshuk, a hole in the wall shack serving market BBQ by Berber & Q’s Josh Katz. Food is delivered through two hatches made from reclaimed metal windows, framed with hand-painted market signage and festoon lighting. Straight from the shack’s smoker you’ll find Maple-glazed Merguez Sausage, low’n’slow Lamb Mechoui and Shukshuk signature, Smoked Chicken Shawarma made from the whole roast bird marinated in sumac, cumin and cinnamon. Mezze includes Middle Eastern Slaw with Tahini, Saffron Potato Salad, Braised Lentils, Swiss Chard & Burnt Ends. All orders come with pita bread, cumin salt and house sauces of Smoked Garlic Toum, Zhoug & Pomegranate Molasses BBQ.
‘Our dishes take inspiration from all over the world, though CRATE represents what’s truly brilliant about East London – and we’re really excited to be a part of that’ says Josh. ‘The vibe at Mick’s Garage will be about sharing good food and great beer with friends – a place to stay all afternoon, or night!’ adds Mattia.
