This week’s Londoner is Diane Micheil, Director of Events for the one and only Bar Off Broadway and Brand Ambassador for Pickleback (the pickled concoction you use as a chaser with whiskey or bourbon or any spirit of your choice really). which is stewed up right here in east London. We caught a few words with her below, in between a cocktail or two…
So Diane, you’re always out and about but where do you live in the city and why?
I live smack in the heart of Shoreditch. It’s perfect for me because I do a lot of running around and between meetings and cocktailing so it’s good to be close to home. I’ll often have bags of loot on me and given ive had a broken arm for what feels likes ages I need a drop off point. And let’s be honest, you need a close home base for daytime / nighttime fashion changes don’t you?
You obvs know and love your booze…where are you favourite bars?
Good question! This is gonna be tough as there are so many good places right now. I’m obviously partial to Bar Off Broadway, but rightfully so. the drinks are fantastic and so considered, and the crowd up at Broadway is always so up for it. And now that Portside Parlour is downstairs you get two vibes for one. I’m a massive fan of Ruby’s bar in Dalston. Tom and Joel have been doing really great, innovative cocktails and the mood is always so good there. I love Clove Club on Old Street. They do a great Negroni and the boys behind the bar are always so entertaining. I can often be found perched up there on a Friday night. its a nice launch pad for the weekend. I’m loving a bar called Apples and Pears right now. its this amazing little gem of a bar down at the end of brick lane.the head bartender Carlos is one of the best and most passionate mixologists I have ever met. And lets not forget Happiness Forgets, a classic for anyone looking for a top notch cocktail. Oh i could go on! East London just has so much going on right now, it’s like my favourite play thing. In fact, I’d probably say I’m dating East London. All of it.
WOW! Some top tips there and we have to agree! What about when you’re not working, where can we find you hanging out?
I’m pretty much always working! In the bar business you’re never really off the clock and I’m always kind of networking and moving around. I’m a big foodie and I’ve just recently come off a 20 year stint of vegetarianism (thanks to chefs Carl Clarke and Gizzi Eskine who fed me a truffle cheeseburger with pig cheek bacon) so I’m now often on the hunt for bacon and all things meat!
In my free time, I dress up as a sexy nurse and run a Mezcal Ambulance with my good friend Melanie from the once famed mezcal bar Quiquiriqui. We take the ambulance to loads of festivals and parties so even when I’m not working, I’m working, but it’s fun!
Your life sounds totes crazy, we defo wanna hang out with you more! Finally what would be your perfect day in London?
Oh hello.Sunny and bright blue skies, starting on a Saturday at the Rotary Bar Bloody Mary extravaganza and brunch. Then maybe head central for a mooch around and some retail therapy. And of course if it’s a perfect day, everything I buy is on mega sale. In fact, they pay me to take it. At this point it’s probably happy hour so over to Quo Vadis for an Aperol spritz and some people watching. I never get tired of the Soho scene, but alas, head back East for a BBQ at a friend’s house where I will happily indulge in some pork belly and ribs topped off with a nice Chablis and summertime chats.
Sounds like a corker day, we would love to join! If you’re into cocktails you’re gonna want to check out Diane’s top tips and if you like cocktails at home check out this brand new app launching next week, a cocktail delivery service for East London, delivered by hottie on bike right to your front door! Cracking…