Brennan’s Work & Leisure in Midtown debuts night hours with grand opening party April 26

Brennan’s Work & Leisure opened in Midtown in December as a haven for those in need of a coworking space, and the business will soon debut its nighttime hours and menu, complete with plenty of shareables, along with a full bar and a list of specialty cocktails.

Head to Midtown on Friday, April 26, for the grand opening celebration, which offers the opportunity to try the new beer, wine and cocktail list until the bar shutters at midnight. There will also be complimentary food to showcase the new menu from 5 to 9 p.m.

Chef Ben McArthur, who previously ran J McArthur’s, has spearheaded the new evening menu.

“Our food is simple but elevated, using local, seasonal ingredients when we can,” McArthur said. “We want it to be approachable for everyone.”

Offering signature small plates like eggplant caponata with whipped feta, and seared tuna with avocado mousse, wasabi cream and ponzu, the new menu is geared toward individuals or pairs who want to try a couple things, or small groups who want to try a variety.

“We want people to get a few drinks and order something to eat with their friends,” McArthur said. “There’s not really one specific cuisine; there’s a lot of global influences. For me, it’s about flavor pairings.”

Owner Kevin Brennan said people are going to love McArthur’s dishes.

“Ben has great tasting food presented well,” Brennan said. “We’re taking some of the things that work well in the Central West End to Work & Leisure. For example, the cheese and charcuterie, burger and flatbreads will carry over. Some new items include a meatball with shallot, shiitake and chardonnay sauce, as well as a delicious charred corn vegetable tartine.”

The new craft cocktail menu is composed of two categories: classics, which are the mainstays of the Central West End location over the years, and originals, which are new and modern yet simple and made of fresh ingredients. There’s also a selection of low- and no-alcohol beverages.

After the grand opening celebration, regular night service will begin April 27. The evening hours will be 4:30 to 11 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday and 4:30 p.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday. On Wednesdays and Thursdays from 4:30 to 6 p.m. and 9 to 10 p.m., the bar will offer their happy hour, aka The Worst Kept Secret, when all food is buy one, get one.

The century-old, 6,000-square-foot building exudes character from its past life as an automobile showroom, perfect to rent out for your next event. There’s even three wide-format projection screens and a stage for presentations, along with a bocce ball court and shuffleboard table for post-meeting entertainment, or just straight-up, old-school fun. They want to continue to blur the lines of work and leisure.

In addition to the co-working and event space, the daytime kitchen serves coffee, tea and juice, along with a breakfast and lunch menu with items like sandwiches, salads, loaded toast, parfaits and more. Work & Leisure will remain a workspace during the day, but alcohol will be available beginning at 4:30 p.m.

For more information, visit brennanswl.com.

Lauren Healey is associate editor at Sauce Magazine. 

Partner Content