There is a new bar in the hood, Mezcalaria Quiquiriqui opens tonight on Hackney Road. The bar specialises in artisan mezcal and is billing itself as “the first genuine mezcal bar to open in London”. The concept taken straight from Mexico City uses mezcal techniques of production, mixing them up to make some very tasty and very STRONG cocktails. You can also drink this bad boy straight but at 55% you don’t want to be having too many on a school night!
We went down to check the place out last night and nearly missed it. It’s hidden behind the Golden Grill restaurant. Walk through a side door and down the dark stair case until you hit down town Mexico. The vibe is great and it has been kitted out pretty on trend too. An eclectic style of vintage wall paper and old theatre chairs, some cool lighting and nifty paintwork. DJ’s will be on the decks on a Friday and Saturday night although with the current licence it will have to close at 2am…fingers crossed they will manage to get the 5am licence in the not to far off future.
Cocktails start at £7 and are all frozen…we tasted a few and loved them. There’s also a whole menu of mezcal based inventions for you to give a go. You can even get a kebab from the golden grill after to soak up all the booze – you will probably need it.
Mezcaleria Quiquiriqui
The Golden Grill, 184 Hackney Road, E2
www.quiquiriqui.co.uk