David Beckham and Guy Ritchie are no strangers to the alcohol industry. Former soccer star Beckham is the face and co-owner of Diageo’s Haig Club whisky. Film director Richie, meanwhile, runs the Gritchie Brewing Company from his Wiltshire farm.
Now, the pair have announced their first joint project together, after buying a London pub. Beckham and Ritchie purchased the Walmer Castle in Notting Hill for £3 million (roughly $3.9 million) the Daily Mail reports. Located close to Beckham’s Holland Park home, the pair are said to be planning a “Soho-House-style” makeover for the space.
Ritchie will contribute a wealth of pub landlord experience to the venture. The film director previously owned Mayfair celebrity haunt, the Punchbowl, and is set reopen nearby pub, the Lukin, later this year. Ritchie will change the pub’s name to ‘Lore of the Land,’ reports say.
While the pair could exclusively stock the bar with their own beer and spirits offerings, Beckham may be tempted to put together an impressive wine list. He and wife Victoria are renowned for having expensive palates, and regularly splash out on expensive bottles.
The celebrity couple recently shared photos of a $1700 “date night” Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Grands Echezeaux Grand Cru, and earlier this year celebrated their wedding anniversary with over $2500 of fine wine, including a bottle of 1990 Chateau Lafite Rothschild.
It’s not yet known if Beckham will be pouring pints behind the bar, though if he is, he won’t be working for tips. The former soccer star is reportedly worth $450 million.
