Beat Hotel Brings The Flavours Of Mexico And Global Sounds To London With A Four Day Residency

Beat Hotel is bringing a taste of Mexico to London this October, partnering with Ilegal Mezcal for a four day residency that connects the capital’s independent restaurant scene with the culinary traditions of Oaxaca and Mexico City. Following a recent trip to Mexico, the team has returned with inspiration from local ingredients, cooking techniques and regional flavours, translating those experiences into a series of bespoke menus created exclusively for the occasion. Running from 13 to 16 October, the programme brings together chefs from Acme Fire Cult, Tollington’s and Hausu before concluding with a music led takeover at Carpet Shop in Peckham. Each dining event will feature a distinctive menu paired with Ilegal Mezcal, offering a different interpretation of Mexican food culture through the perspective of some of London’s most interesting culinary talent.

Tuesday 13 October: Acme Fire Cult at Acme Fire Cult

The residency begins with chef Andrew Clarke of Acme Fire Cult, whose approach to cooking centres on live fire, bold flavours and the character that comes from working directly with heat. Taking place at Acme Fire Cult, the opening dinner sets the tone for the week with a bespoke menu informed by the team’s recent travels through Mexico. Expect a meeting of flame driven cooking and Mexican culinary influences, with Ilegal Mezcal providing the drinks pairing. Clarke’s established interest in fire and smoke makes this an especially fitting opening for a series built around the relationship between place, ingredients and technique.

Wednesday 14 October: Tollington’s with chef Ed McIlroy

On Wednesday, the programme moves to Tollington’s, the Finsbury Park restaurant led by Ed McIlroy, known for its focus on fish and seafood. McIlroy brings a different perspective to the residency, translating the inspiration gathered in Mexico into a menu shaped by his own culinary sensibilities. Guests can expect a one off dining experience that explores the meeting of Mexican flavours and seafood led cooking, accompanied by Ilegal Mezcal. The evening offers an opportunity to experience a familiar London restaurant through a new creative lens, with the bespoke menu making this more than a standard service.

Thursday 15 October: Hausu with chef Holly Middleton-Joseph

The third dinner takes the residency south to Peckham, where Holly Middleton-Joseph of Hausu will present her interpretation of the flavours and techniques encountered on the trip to Mexico. Hausu’s distinct identity provides another perspective on the collaboration, bringing the restaurant’s own culinary character into conversation with Oaxacan influences. The menu has been created specifically for the occasion, with Ilegal Mezcal selected to complement the food and extend the experience beyond the plate. As the final dining event before the musical closing party, Thursday offers a chance to explore the series’ more intimate side, with a chef led menu that reflects both the destination and the individuality of the restaurant.

Friday 16 October: Carpet Shop, Peckham

The series concludes on Friday night at Carpet Shop in Peckham, shifting the focus from the dinner table to the dance floor. Running from 11pm to 3am, the closing event features Coco María, John Gómez and Ri Mistry, three selectors whose approaches draw on musical traditions from across the world. Guests can expect a journey through global rhythms, with selections that move between different geographies and sounds, creating a fitting end to a residency built around cultural exchange. Carpet Shop’s club atmosphere provides the setting for the final chapter, bringing together the food, drink and music elements that define Beat Hotel’s wider identity.

Beyond the individual events, the collaboration reflects Beat Hotel’s broader approach to hospitality, where food and music exist in conversation with one another. Working with Ilegal Mezcal gives the residency a common thread, while the involvement of three distinct restaurant teams ensures that each evening has its own character. Rather than presenting a single interpretation of Mexican cuisine, the programme invites chefs to engage with the country’s culinary traditions through their own techniques and creative instincts. The result is a week that moves between live fire cooking, seafood, contemporary dining and late night music, connecting London’s restaurant and nightlife communities through a shared interest in discovery. For guests, the appeal lies in the opportunity to experience limited edition menus and collaborations that will not be available as part of the restaurants’ usual offerings.

For those looking to attend, the residency runs from Tuesday 13 to Friday 16 October 2026, with reservations and ticketing handled individually for each event. The three dinners offer the chance to explore the culinary side of the collaboration, while the Friday finale provides a more music focused conclusion at Carpet Shop. Given the bespoke nature of the menus and the limited availability of tickets, advance booking is advisable. Across four days, Beat Hotel and Ilegal Mezcal are bringing together some of London’s independent culinary talent and a selection of international sounds, creating a programme that celebrates the way travel can influence what we eat, drink and listen to back home.