69 Colebrooke Row
69 Colebrooke Row, Islington, London N1 8AA
Calling itself the “bar with no name”, identifiable by an awning and an old-fashioned lantern, 69 Colebrooke Row is the coolest kid on this block – and really does know it. The set-up in this pocket-handkerchief-sized cocktail bar is old-school elegant, with a nostalgic speakeasy vibe and hyper-hip clientele. Tony Conigliaro, mixologist extraordinaire, is behind the splendid bespoke cocktails that use the finest ingredients in often unexpected and original combinations – they are all devised and tested in the lab upstairs. The seasonally changing list features twists on the classics, from Bloody Marys to martinis. 69 also serves some impressively irresistible concoctions like the Honeysuckle, a heady blend of pollen liqueur, honeysuckle, honey and champagne, and the rhubarb gimlet, made with a deliciously fragrant homemade rhubarb cordial. Champagne, wine and Belgian bottled beer is also available, along with some citrusy non-alcoholic options. It's tiny, and can get packed on weekend evenings, so come early or book if you truly want to enjoy the experience.
