The London Tipple series uncovers the city’s best drinking spots, for whatever your situation. To kick things off, we’re looking at all you Weekend Millionaires. The Gatsby’s out there. Saturday night, in your glad rags and feeling generous. Here’s to you…
NORTH LONDON
Tucked away the backstreets of Islington, The Bar With No Name is an award winning cocktail bar. Everyone sits inside one cosy room and their 1950’s Italian Cafe’ look gives it a certain film noir feel.
The drinks menu is alternative and dynamic in its choice of flavours – a sweet and bubbly glass of “Toffee Apple Fizz” sounds to us like a fantastic way to incorporate one of your five a day.
Non – Alcoholic cocktails are also sold for those of you on your best behaviour as well as a cheeky bite to accompany. The best time to hit the bar and explore the menu has got to be for the live music. The House Pianist, Maurice Horhut, performs Tuesdays and Thursdays 20:00 until 23:00.
Price of a drink: £10.50 for most house cocktails.
A neighbourhood bar with an impressive list of quirky, quality cocktails. The menu includes homemade liqueurs and syrups, botanicals and herbs. Experience the fresh, soft fruits that are taken from the allotments of Hampstead Heath and enjoy the delicious snacks which even include homemade sausage rolls made daily. What’s not to like? Drinks with (sort of) healthy content and comfort food all in one place – the dream!
It’s usually packed on a Friday night, so If you fancy the chance to experience this unusual space be sure to arrive early.
Price of a drink: Prices vary between £8.00 and £9.00 for most drinks
Ladies & Gents. Tiny haunt for cocktails made with locally sourced ingredients and craft spirits
EAST LONDON
Hang out in this cool, edgy looking space and enjoy the beauty of the basement. It would be silly not to explore what The Guardian claims as a “A cocktail list to die for.” Why not enjoy a refreshing Marmalade Cocktail or a fun “disco drink”. Fruity and exotic, yet strong, might be all you’re after! You can get the chance to enjoy all this on a
Monday – Thursday 5.30 – 11pm, Friday and Saturday until 1am.
Price of a drink: Cocktails vary in prices, starting at £9.75 and the most expensive at £12.50.
If you haven’t already, you need to check out The Duck and Waffle’s stunning views. The menu at this bar incorporates ingredients that are either thought to be waste or labelled by society as past their time, as encouraged by head of cocktail and spirit development himself Richard Woods. Experience the Duck and Waffle on any day of the week at 11.30pm – 5am.
Price of a drink: Cocktails are mostly similarly priced to each other at £14.00. At £15.00 you can go for a champagne cocktail and if you’re feeling like spending the extra cash, a bottle of white wine starts at £33.00.
Duck & Waffle. British and European cuisine served 24/7 in modern, 40th-floor space
WEST LONDON
Found in the ever trendy Notting Hill with a traditional mixed modern look. For those interested in a learning a bit of history, 71 Portobello Road was once listed on the 1836 census as a ‘Beer Shop’ and some historians believe to date back to 1740. Why not go along and soak up this history, enjoy a Raspberry Marciano and have your own experience.
If you’re looking for a quiet drink with a friend then maybe visit on a mid week evening to relax the way you want to. Or if you’re after a lively evening out then this might be your Friday night place.
Price of drink: Cocktails ranged mostly around the £9.00 mark.
The cocktail menu at the Rum Kitchen has been put together over 4 years of testing and tasting. The wonderful thing about the Rum Kitchen is that they use real life accounts on their travels and inspiration using the advice of the greatest mixologists, blenders and bars in the world. The Rum Kitchen has gone for what they call a “new school attitude” but if it’s classic rum you’re into then be sure to enjoy this too.
There is a wide range of rum taken from all over the Caribbean and it is often updated.
Happy our is 5 – 7 for rum cocktails! This might be the perfect opportunity for some pre drinks and start your night out with some inexpensive cocktails.
Price of a drink: Rum begins at £4.50 and other spirits are £4.50.
The Rum Kitchen. Jerk, curry and gumbo dishes in an easygoing venue with colourful decor and mismatched furniture.
SOUTH LONDON
Where they claim to take the drinks seriously, but not themselves. A neighbourhood hang out serving in – house produced cocktails, using fresh ingredients. Relax in a cosy booth and be welcomed by the Cocktail Club.
From an Aperol Super Spritz to a Rum Fizz, the options are varied and is an ideal venue for the cocktail connoisseur.
Price of a drink: You won’t get much change out of a tenner.
With a time traveller’s workshop and home interior, part Victorian museum and part re imagining of the future, this bar is the place to hold bold parties and nights out in South London. The list of cocktails is vast and adventurous (as suggested by the name) Get to Adventure bar on Monday to Saturday between 5pm – 8pm and make the most of the happy hour 2 for 1 cocktails!
Price of drink: Cocktails are mostly £9.00 if you visit outside of the happy hour.
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Cocktails & Music, at Adventure Bar in Clapham