5 minutes with… Kill the Cat

18/08/2023

Say hello to Spitalfields Market’s new award-winning kitchen and bar! After the roaring, or should we say, purring success of their Brick Lane bottle shop, Kill the Cat is continuing its East London takeover with a second site here on Market Street. 

We grabbed 5 minutes with co-founder and ‘Top Cat’ Wes to get the low down on the latest addition to London’s most historic market… 

How did Kill the Cat start? 

Kill The Cat started life back in 2016 as a bottleshop and bar on Brick Lane. Over the last 7 years we’ve become an established and well-loved part of the London craft Beer scene. We’ve always been focused on flavour and helping everyone, be they novices or hard-core beer geeks to be more adventurous and diverse in their choices – now we get to add food to the mix for a fully rounded flavour experience.
 

Can you tell us the meaning behind the name? 

We’re all about curiosity. No cats were harmed in the making of this brand – we promise!
 

Advice you would give to a craft beer novice for branching out? 

Be open to new things and be guided by your tastebuds. There’s such a broad range of flavours out there it really is a case of finding the right ones to suit your preference, mood and level of curiosity. For example, on a Monday you may what something simple and refreshing, whereas on a Friday night you may be up for more challenging and unique flavours.
 

What sets Kill the Cat apart from other local watering holes? 

We’re focused on delivering flavours tailored to your taste and curiosity level wrapped up in and a warm welcome – we’re known predominantly for our beer, having put together one of the broadest and finest selections of UK and world craft beer you’ll find in a bar, but we also want to serve food every bit as good the beer as well as a cracking selection of wines and craft spirits. We’ve spent a long time devising a concise small plates menu designed to perfectly complement the beer. Our chefs previously worked at Gordon Ramsay so expect a cut above your usual bar food – our Thai Curry crab doughnut for example is already becoming a firm favourite.
 

How often do you hold tasting sessions, and what do they entail? 

We hold regular tasting sessions for groups of friends and office parties and events. Anyone can book, from as little as 4 people to 100+ and they enTAIL a range of beers covering a spectrum of flavours. It’s all delivered in a fun, informative way. We’re not fans of stuffy lecture-type scenarios – our General Manager is one of the countries most experienced beer sommeliers but he’s here to facilitate a good time first and foremost. Thanks to our new kitchen we now offer paired small plates alongside our beers to create the ultimate food and drink experience.
 

Current favourite beer and why? 

It has to be our very own Kill The Cat ‘Fluffy’ Pale Ale – soft and hazy with citrus and stone fruit flavours and above all refreshing – perfect for the weather, now summer has finally kicked in.
 

Describe Kill the Cat in 3 words? 

The Cat is Curious, Knowledgeable and Playful.
 

Most unique beer currently on tap? 

Amundsen Brewery, Dessert In a Can ‘New York Style Strawberry Cheesecake with Chocolate Truffles’. It’s an imperial stout which as the name suggests is like drinking an alcoholic dessert – would be a bit gimmicky if it wasn’t so well-made and delicious. A brilliantly bonkers beer and a must try while you have the chance. 

Anything else to add? 

We’ve just created a new ‘Lunch Specials’ menu to cater for our local worker chums. From Monday – Friday each week we’re offering a small plate + side for £10, plus the option to add a cheeky beer or glass of wine for +£4. Also, on Happy Mondays our house beers are just £5 a pint, making us the perfect place to ease into the week. 

Find Kill the Cat at 14 Market Street, open 7 days a week. Prowl on down soon!