We’ve been out and about in search of the best new openings and hidden gems in London. Here’s our pick of the best bars to try this month.
BRILLIANT CORNERS, 470 KINGSLAND RD, LONDON E8 4AE
Brilliant Corners focuses on sustainable Japanese food and drinks. It’s all about the rum. Try the lethal but amazing Ti-Punch.
MANERO’S, 232 KINGSLAND ROAD LONDON E2, 8AX
Manero’s is a secret gateway on Kingsland road, midway between Shoreditch and Dalston. The intimate speakeasy and private members club offers a boutique bar that can whip up some of the best cocktails in the eastern quarters.
PINCH – HACKNEY’S SMALLEST WINE BAR, 51A GREENWOOD ROAD, LONDON E8 1NT
After several months as a deli with a good sideline in wine, the decision has been taken to reopen Pinch as ‘Hackney’s smallest wine bar’. As well as wine there is a selection of small plates on offer such as potted salmon with horseradish, oxtail on toast, pickled peppers with pecorino, seasonal charcuterie and cheese.
NUMBER 90 BAR AND KITCHEN, 90 MAIN YARD HACKNEY WICK E9 5LN
Nestled in the heart of the East End within the flourishing cultural landscape of Hackney Wick, Number 90 is a stunning, spacious canal-side bar and restaurant.
THE COCKTAIL TRADING COMPANY, 22 GREAT MARLBOROUGH STREET, W1F 7HU
Bartending legends Andy Mill, Elliot Ball and Olly Brading have taken things into their own hands with their independent, exciting and experimental cocktail bar underneath Central & Co in Soho.
THE WONDERLAND BAR, THE VAULTS, WATERLOO, SE1 7AD
An immersive theatrical wonderland pop up bar with its own cast and installations, hedge mazes, flamingo croquet, aerial acrobats and theatre, live bands, DJs and art, cocktails from Bourne & Hollingsworth and food from Pieminister.
MILROY’S, 3 GREEK STREET, W1D 4NX
London’s oldest whisky shop is getting its own basement cocktail bar. Simo, the guy behind Coal Vaults, will be in command and has got ideas of a 12-seater whisky bar within the shop, with a selection of 250 whiskies to try.
MONKEY SHOULDER, ELY’S YARD, HANBURY STREET, E1 6QR
Monkey Shoulder have hired doormen trained in public manner etiquette for a three week pop up whisky bar, so you can expect flowers and smiles on arrival before canapés of duck donuts, deep fried Mars Bars in tempura batter and cocktails.
CEVICHE OLD STREET BAR, BALDWIN STREET (OFF CITY ROAD), EC1V
The menu at Ceviche Old Street Bar will muddle creative cocktails with classics that have swapped gin, whisky, rum and tequila for the Peruvian spirit.
BULMER’S BLACK & WHITE BAR, 73A LEONARD STREET, EC2A 4QS
From the staff to the décor, the bar games and the food, Bulmers have stripped absolutely everything of colour for their two day, black and white pop up bar. The bar is open on 9th & 10th July, free entry, however places must be booked in advance.
Seth Troxler is opening a new hot spot near Old Street. It will be 80 capacity and serving up coneys (hot dogs to you and me), oysters, good beers and a small selection of cocktails. If Seth Troxler’s working, and closing isn’t till 5am, then we’re in.
FLAMINGO PIER, 7 ROACH ROAD LONDON E3 2PA
One of the finest and most fun pop-up parties of last summer, Flamingo Pier is back for summer 2015, which is great news for anyone who likes their pop-ups with a big dose of tropical indulgence.