Mason Moore | Hinckley Reporter | 18 November 2022

HINCKLEY’S NEW real ale bar – and self-proclaimed “megapub” – is opening its doors with a soft launch tonight (18 November), in time for the Christmas light switch-on.

The Clarence Cafe and Bar have revealed to the Hinckley Free Press that they will be holding a ‘soft launch’ to members of the public from 3.30pm to 9pm, so they can familiarise themselves with the bar ahead of its ‘official opening’ in weeks to come.

It will serve up eight draught beers on tap, and four cask beers, all of which are different styles. These are two ciders, two lagers, one porter, and three key kegs.

They will even have rare bottled and canned beers for patrons to take away, with a heavy focus on “train beers” for those wanting a drink on the train to Birmingham, Leicester, or elsewhere, from Hinckley railway station, just a nine minute walk away.

Speaking ahead of the opening this afternoon, Toby, Bar Manager for The Clarence Cafe and Bar, told the Free Press: “We’re giving people a chance to have a look around, meet our team, see what we have to offer, and what is to come.

“We have been going for more specialist craft beers that people would have struggled to otherwise find elsewhere.

“The Clarence offers a very personal experience, where people can keep company with family and friends over a coffee or beer inside a warm and welcoming atmosphere.”

Some of the many beers on tap and cask in The Clarence include Henry Weston’s “Vintage Cider”, Magic Rock Brewery’s “High Wire Grapefruit”, three Green Duck IPAs and ales, a ‘Proper Porter’, and two different Citra-hopped beers, just to name a few.

Whilst this is opening as a soft launch, an official ‘opening date’ has not yet been decided by bosses at the bar at the time of publication (Friday, 18 November).

Once fully open, specialist cups of coffee will be served up will be served up alongside real ales, and food will be available from the on-site ‘market street kitchen’.