Great cocktail bars around in London part 3

Shoreditch special

As part of my blog feature, I will highlight some great cocktail bars in London that are well worth a visit. This time around it is a Shoreditch special, home to some of the hottest cocktail bars in London Part 1 here Part 2 here

For exceptional cocktails: Happiness Forgets

Opened by one of the industry greats, Alastair Burgess, there is just something special about Happiness Forgets. Located in an underground basement in Hoxton Square, it's a dark and tiny bar with a short cocktail menu. The cocktails here have no crazy garnishes, no dry ice, no gimmick, just made to a high standard. The drinks themselves are cocktails at their finest and mixed to perfection. This place showcases quality over quantity. Less is more. No wonder it's one of the go to place for off duty bartenders. It was recently voted the sixth best bar in the world in Drinks International's World's 50 best bars competition.

8-9 Hoxton Square, London, N1 6NU

http://www.happinessforgets.com/


For the hip factor: Callooh Callay

Callooh Cally on Rivington Street has to be on of the hippest bars in Shoreditch. There is a wardrobe at the front entrance that leads you to the back lounge. Once you are inside you will feel like you stepped back into the 60s with a quirky touch. The upstairs bar runs a special pop up bar with different themes every six weeks to ensure a unique experience that is like no other. Cocktails here have a modern style with plenty of creative touches. The "Monkey Nuts" cocktail is a take on the old fashion using Monkey Shoulder Scotch Whisky adding plenty of nutty flavours with Frangelico and walnut bitter, some of the most interesting flavours in a cocktail I have ever encountered. 

65 Rivington St, London EC2A 3AY

http://www.calloohcallaybar.com/





For New Orleans vibe: Nola

One of the latest openings in Shoreditch, just opposite Callooh Callay and located on the first floor above another bar. Large open space in the style of New Orleans with regular live music toward the end of the week. Nola serves New Orleans inspired cocktails and has a special cigars menu. On my visit I had "Down in the treme" which contained Cognac and Campari but achieved a lovely sharpness with fruity notes. My advice is to try to order a house signature cocktail with a cigar on a Thursday night while live jazz music plays in the background. You'll feel like you're in New Orleans. 

66-68 Rivington St  London EC2A 3AY
http://nola-london.com/

For quirky cocktails: Whistling Shop

Whistling Shop is the brainchild by Fluid Movement, one of the most respected drink consultancies in the drinks world. The bar itself is very dark with a Victorian décor  It has a lab made for drinks experiments and a dram shop for vintage spirits. The drinks themselves are very much like nothing you've encountered before, with some cutting edge techniques and a scientific approach, taking you on a sensual journey.

63 Worship St, London, Greater London EC2A 2DU

http://www.whistlingshop.com/

For wonderfully weird: Ninety eight Bar and Lounge

A funky bar under Morrell House Hotel in Shoreditch. The owner, Kath, has created a bar that wouldn't look out place in Alice in Wonderland. The décor is full of fantasy elements with toys and paintings from around the world she's collected during her travelling. Cocktails here are also anything but normal, with infusions playing a key role in its cocktail menu. Try the Caribbean Godfather: house blended spiced rum with Disaronno and other goodies to create a punchy and spicy cocktail.
*First picture taken from the bar's website

98 Curtain Road, Shoreditch, London, EC2A 3AF
http://www.ninetyeight-bar-lounge.com/