The gastro-pub continues to gain momentum as a conceptual trend by combining gourmet, chef-driven foods in a pubby, bar-focused space.

Gastro-pubs are everywhere in London, but because the British are not exactly known for producing great food, the idea and atmosphere is what designers and restaurateurs here have sought to recreate in the United States. Some key physical attributes of a gastro-pub include comfy booths and long wooden bars. Drink menus include craft beer on tap, a better than average whiskey and scotch collection, and classic cocktails paired with scaled-up comfort food items like fish and homemade chips, bacon-infused everything, and creative dishes keeping with the hearty, drink-friendly theme. Gastro-pub crowds tend to be louder, lively, and they stop in early; many focus on happy hours and early, after-work dinners. Weekend hours can rage into the night, however.