The Laughing Heart has closed

Hackney wine bar, restaurant and music venue The Laughing Heart has closed indefinitely, its founder Charlie Mellor has confirmed. Sunday July 31 was its final service.

Charlie announced the news on Wednesday night, writing that the business had ‘fallen victim to these dark times we live in’. 

He said: ‘It is with great sadness that I must announce the sudden closure of The Laughing Heart. All the details of how we arrived here are too long, sad and gruesome to list in this forum.’

CODE has contacted Charlie to see if there is more he would like to say. For now, his announcement is a fittingly emotional tribute to one of East London’s most prized dining locations. 

He said: ‘The Laughing Heart existed to amplify beauty, hope, happiness and purpose. Amidst the unprecedented chaos of this unprecedented moment, this remains my quest.

‘A restaurant is a truly beautiful thing. Where else does such varied creativity coexist? We curate art, music, science, design, food, wine, performance and narrative under one banner. I love that TLH has been a platform for all this, and given so many beautiful people the chance to explore their dreams.

‘I hope that our beloved guests, our industry, and the wider world has appreciated what we made.’ 

In his announcement, on Instagram, Charlie went on to thank his suppliers, staff, guests, and family, name-checking a number of key individuals, including head chefs past – Tom Anglesea – and present. 

Most recently, Adam Boon was heading up the kitchen, serving small plates such as crab with pork and gooseberry; bull’s heart tomatoes with lobster bisque; and monkfish and artichoke. 

The Laughing Heart opened in 2016, quickly attracting glowing reviews, including one notable piece by food critic Marina O’Loughlin. Not long before lockdown one, Charlie and his team turned the private dining room and party space downstairs into a fully fledged music venue called La Cave.

It will be missed, and CODE wishes those involved in the restaurant all the best for the future.

Mellor’s restaurant kit brand ‘Big Night’ has also closed, which he revealed last week in a separate statement on social media.