Idris Elba quit drinking beer to stay slim.

Idris Elba

Idris Elba

The 49-year-old actor's boozing habits have changed as he's got older because supping pints became "not so kind on the belly", so he sticks to spirits and mixers these days.

He said: "Back in the day I was very into beer drinking but as I’ve got older it’s not so kind on the belly.

“Having visited awesome places in Japan and from speaking to people who know more than me, I’ve got very into whisky, particularly Japanese whisky.

“If it’s the start of a night and we are looking to party and I’m not particularly tired, I’ll kick off with vodka and move on to tequila and tonic – I like to keep it pretty simple.”

The 'Mountain Between Us' actor has opened his own bar, Porte Noire in London's King's Cross, and used his "warm relationship" with other drinking venues as a source of inspiration.

He told Big Hospitality: “I’ve been going to bars all my life and I have a very warm relationship with them – probably more so than I’m allowed to admit.

“I’ve lived in many, many places and I’ve met lots of good people as well as advanced my careers in bars.

“I’ve worked in them, drunk in them and they’re a place I feel comfortable in.

“I wanted to create something that feels luxe and special, but also relatable, warm, and welcoming.”

Meanwhile, the 'Suicide Squad' actor recently insisted fame isn't as "fun" as it seems from the outside because he can't just get drunk in public.

He said: “It looks amazing from the outside, but there’s a lot of stuff that happens in the public eye that’s not fun. I’m not allowed to just go out and get drunk and have a rant and get kicked out of a pub and then feel bad the next day. Part of your duty is to be an example.”


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