Locals have just hours to wait until a much-loved Kenilworth bar reopens under new owners.

Diners will return to The Almanack from 8.30am on Friday (1 May) as the Abbey End eatery reopens under the ownership of Dhillons Brewery.

The town centre restaurant closed suddenly in January 2026 after its previous owner went into administration.

But after a major refurbishment inside and out, The Almanack is ready to open again.

The team invited local guests last night (April 29) to a preview night to see the new-look pub.

"I have been going to The Almanack for a number of years so it was sad to see it [close]," managing director Dal Dhillon told Nub News.

He continued: "We were all fans of The Almanack, it has a place in everyone's heart, it brought people in from Coventry and Leamington. 

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"We want to bring it back to its former glory. 

"We have done a refresh inside so it has all been painted, we have also painted the outside which was a surprise for everyone!"

As well as new food, wine, and Sunday lunch menus, The Almanack will also now be serving some of Dhillon's beers - as well as a mix of lines from other breweries and producers.

The pub is no longer split into a dining area and a drinking area, with the whole venue set to be open to all customers.

Shortland Coffee has also partnered with Dhillons to serve its own coffee with its own staff from inside the pub.

As well as new décor and colours inside The Almanack, the Abbey End venue has also been repainted outside.

Founded in 2015, Dhillons now employs over 70 members of staff and already has hugely successful venues in Coventry at Spire Bar and Sky Blue Tavern.

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2026 has already been a busy start for the business as it also opened Elle's food hall near Coventry station earlier this year.

Dal said: "We have had our new opening at Elle's by the train station in Coventry which has been a huge success. 

"We have had a lot of happy customers and patrons over there.

"It has really put us in a good place to take over at The Almanack."

Dal himself has lived in Kenilworth for six years, but has been visiting the town for much longer.

He told Nub News he used to stay at the Holiday Inn and work from The Almanack when the brewery was in its early days.

And having called the town home for an extended period of time, he said he feels part of the community and is eager to deliver a "new and improved" Almanack.

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"I know what Kenilworthians will expect in terms of quality, value for money and also the concept of feeling at home in a venue rather than feeling uneasy," he explained. 

"If you look on Warwick Road, there are lots of people eating and drinking and feeling comfortable; it is a huge community. 

"That is exactly what we want to offer, to see it as an extension of their own home. And we want people to come and talk to us - we're not a huge pub company, we are at the other end of the phone.

"If they don't like this beer, or an item, we are there to make it happen and to make sure we listen and fulfil any requests that we can to make the experience of visiting better."

To keep up to date with the reopening of The Almanack, click here to see the Facebook page.