Cheltenham is about to welcome an exciting new dining experience this autumn with the opening of Coalhouse - Brew & Que, a smokehouse restaurant and taproom specializing in locally sourced smoked meats and independent brews cooked over live flames. The innovative venture is led by chef-restaurateur Lewis Spencer and JM Socials co-owner Jay Rahman.
Located in the former Mayflower premises on Clarence Street—previously closed twice—Coalhouse aims to revive the space with a fresh and dynamic concept. The restaurant will host a soft launch on Friday, October 17, preceded by an exclusive preview party the evening before.
Lewis Spencer’s inspiration for Coalhouse stems from his travels across the United States and Mexico, where he immersed himself in barbecue traditions and live-fire cooking techniques. Collaborations with American chefs helped refine the menu, combining bold BBQ flavors with smokehouse favorites that pay homage to both cultures.
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Jay Rahman expresses enthusiasm for the project: “Coalhouse captures the vibrant, social essence of live-fire cooking. It’s designed as a welcoming space where guests can share the simple pleasure of exceptional food and drinks crafted with passion.”
With a rich track record that includes brands like The Duchess, Chuck Burgers, and Elote, Lewis brings a decade of hospitality expertise. His continued partnership with Jay on various ventures bolsters the promise of Coalhouse’s success.
The menu highlights include 18-hour smoked brisket, St. Louis pork ribs, flame-grilled towering burgers, cedar-plank salmon, and innovative dishes such as miso aubergine. Ingredients are locally sourced, notably meat from Gloucestershire’s renowned Martin’s Meats, ensuring quality and community connection.
The beverage lineup celebrates local craft beers and ciders, featuring two exclusive white-label brews developed with Cornwall’s Harbour Brewery, a rotating tap list that showcases DEYA Brewery favorites, Dunkertons Cider, and other regional offerings.
Inside, the décor fuses industrial rustic accents with warm, natural tones using salvaged timber and oak, centered around an expansive open bar where patrons can watch the culinary action up close. Upstairs, guests can retreat to “18th A,” a speakeasy-inspired bar offering cocktails and light snacks in an intimate setting.
This new smokehouse arrives amid a wave of notable dining closures in Cheltenham, including the recent permanent shut-down of The Mayflower itself as well as Ask Italian and The Ox. Coalhouse looks to inject renewed vibrancy into the town’s evolving food and drink landscape.
JM Socials continues to operate other popular Cheltenham establishments like Holee Cow, Prithvi, Bhoomi Kitchen, Circo Brasserie, Jai Ho, and Dosa Darlings, ensuring that Coalhouse benefits from a wealth of local hospitality expertise.