Pop-Up Smokehouse returns to Leicester after four-year break

Die-hard Leicester foodies might remember The Pop Up Smokehouse when it was open above The Obar on Braunstone Gate. After a hiatus of almost four years, The Pop Up Smokehouse is back in business and ready to serve the low and slow oak-smoked dishes we all knew and loved.

Available for takeovers, festivals and events, The Pop Up Smokehouse is making its return with a one-night-only pop-up on April 11 at the Rutland & Derby on Leicester’s Millstone Lane. They will be serving both a bar and restaurant menu from 5pm to 10pm. Evening tables are expected to go quickly, so if you want to book, best be fast! Book here.

The Pop Up Smokehouse was formerly part of the Orange Tree Group but is now under sole control of its former head chef, Liam Watson. Over the past four years, Liam has worked across the city as second chef at the White Peacock and head chef at Fenways, Loughborough. But it’s in smoked food that his passion lies. And he has big things planned.

“Along with my new team, I’m seriously excited to be bringing our brand of creative smoked food back to Leicestershire. When we started at The Obar four years ago I took a crash course in smoking and since then it’s become something of an obsession. I spend my time finding the best rubs, new meat cuts and exciting ways of smoking vegetables. To be able to bring this back in such a free creative format is just great.”

If you can’t make it to the Rutland & Derby on April 11, follow The Pop Up Smokehouse on social media (Facebook and Twitter) for info on future events. Liam and the team are also interested in talking to venues across the city for future pop ups and takeovers so if you’re a bar or restaurant looking to try something different, get in touch.