Brewdog Shuts Eight London Bars in Major UK Closure Wave After US Acquisition
When Brewdog burst onto the beer scene in 2007, it represented a genuine breath of fresh air, challenging the brewing status quo with its quirky flavors and unconventional marketing campaigns. Founded by two young Scots, the brand quickly turned heads and built a reputation as a punk-inspired disruptor in the industry.
Fast forward to 2026, and the landscape has shifted dramatically. With craft beers now commonplace in pubs nationwide and Brewdog embroiled in numerous controversies, the brand's edgy image has faded. Sales have declined in recent years, leading to the closure of 10 British venues last July, including a flagship location in Aberdeen, followed by the removal of its beers from nearly 2,000 venues across the country just a month later.
US Acquisition Triggers Immediate Closures
In a significant development, Brewdog has been sold to Tilray, an American beverage and medical cannabis company, in a deal valued at £33 million. Tilray now holds the global rights to the Brewdog brand name, along with the chain's UK brewing operations and 11 of its 'BrewPubs'. However, this acquisition has resulted in the immediate closure of 38 other Brewdog pubs across the UK, including eight in London.
The affected London bars, which poured their last pints on Monday, March 2, 2026, when the deal was finalized, are:
- Soho
- Camden Road
- Chancery Lane
- Clerkenwell
- Ealing
- Hammersmith
- Seething Lane
- Tower Bridge
This move has sparked outrage from Unite, the union representing staff, which has condemned Brewdog for treating employees as 'disposable pawns'. The closures have made 484 staff members redundant across the shuttered venues, a situation described by the union as 'nothing short of a national disgrace'.
Five London Venues to Remain Open Under New Ownership
Despite the widespread closures, five Brewdog bars in London have been acquired by Tilray and will continue operating. These locations are:
- Canary Wharf
- Paddington
- Seven Dials
- Tower Hill
- Waterloo
Additionally, bars in Birmingham, Manchester, Edinburgh, and Dublin have been saved. Under Tilray's ownership, Brewdog's once extensive network of nearly 60 venues will be reduced to just 13 across the UK and other regions. Tilray has also indicated that it is separately negotiating to acquire certain Brewdog assets in the US and Australia.
The closure of these eight London bars marks a significant contraction for Brewdog in the capital, reflecting broader challenges in the hospitality sector and the impact of corporate restructuring on local businesses and employment.
