Discover some of the city’s proper hidden gems
You’re not short of places to have a drink in this city. London is fit to bursting with great pubs and there are some of the best cocktail bars in the world on your doorstep, but opening a bar in a such a crowded – and expensive – market requires a little creativity in order to stand out. This has led some clever folk to open bars that offer something a little different from the usual and in places you probably wouldn’t expect too. Just as we showcased the city’s most unusual restaurants with Unconventional Eats, we’re doing the same with drinks, so if you’re looking for somewhere new and interesting for your next bev, check out our fave Unconventional Drinks in London.
2. Bruno’s
This floating bar proves just how sophisticated barges can be. Bruno’s, moored on the Regent’s Canal in Islington, is the little brother to floating restaurant Caravel, operated by Fin and Lorcan Spiteri (who also have the land-based Studio Kitchen right next to the water). Named after Fin’s dog, Bruno’s, which opened just over two years ago, is designed to complement the restaurant by offering before- and after-dinner drinks – though you can very much make a night of it there too.
The pair took inspo from hotel bars and high-end style drinks when setting up the bar, so it looks pretty smart with its table lamps, white tablecloths and velvet chairs, though the vibe is very laid back and intimate – perfect for a date.
You can see the influence of classic serves on the drinks menu but Fin has definitely put his own twist on the cocktails, which include the Aperol, bourbon and blood orange Below Deck and the Sesame Oil Martini, made with sesame oil-infused tequila and chilli.
Having access to a restaurant, with its larder of ingredients and knowledgeable chefs, makes it that much easier for Fin and the team to experiment with new serves, though the limited space (on both barges) necessitates a high level of organisation and precision. It also means the bar food menu is on point too.
1. The Natural Philosopher
A computer repair shop isn’t perhaps the first place you’d stop for a cocktail but this Hackney Road spot is no ordinary computer repair shop.
The exterior of the building may advertise the Macsmiths business, which is on full display at the front of the space, but if you look a little closer, past all the computer bits, you’ll notice some interesting decor and a couple of steps leading down to speakeasy-style bar The Natural Philosopher.
The shop came first, opening about 12 years ago, and the bar has been there for just over ten years, with Josh Powell having taken over ownership in 2019. As he says, “London is expensive so you have to buddy up sometimes”.
The bar, which opens after the shop closes, serves some killer picklebacks and a monthly changing list of twelve signature batched cocktails made using foraged ingredients, like sumac Josh found in Dalston, which’ll be appearing on the menu in December.
As well as being a relatively small bar, which is why Josh batches the drinks, it’s an unusual layout as it’s set a level below where the customers sit, so you order downwards. The maximalist decor has come from that ethos of making use of what you’ve got – some of the artefacts and antiques were already here, Josh found more (particularly more of the risque artworks) under the crawl space in the bar, and then he’s added his own touch, including the foliage, over the years.
Want to see more Unconventional Drinks? The next video in the series will be dropping at the start of February. Watch this space.
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