East London is stormed by new bars
APLETHORA of new bars are arriving from the East (or at least East of central). First up we have the new offering from Will Ricker’s group, Glo Glo (pictured below). This super cool Shoreditch bar is on Great Eastern Street but is perfect for cocktail lovers. One of a new breed of female mixologists is at the helm: Hannah Lanfear invents inspiring concoctions to accompany the Kokyo-influenced dishes. Designed by Michaelis Boyd of the recent Soho House Berlin, its mix of warm orange and glowing ceiling should leave you feeling all warm and fuzzy if you are hankering for a Shoreditch experience.
Around the corner the extremely arty Ninetyeight Bar and Lounge on Curtain Road has just opened to the public (previously only available to Morrell House tenants up above). This charismatic space is full of one-off pieces collected by the owner and has a very healthy dose of tongue-in-cheek chic. Cocktails and infusions make this a secret haven worth seeking out.
Rounding off this area’s cocktail preeminence, the whimsical Jub Jub on Rivington Street can be found through a secret wardrobe door at the back of Callooh Callay. Despite the stuff and nonsense, drinks are taken very seriously, and members need their own key to access this secret den of alchemy. On the way back into town on City Road the Nightjar is soon to arrive and will be offering nocturnal birds an eclectic but luxurious speakeasy with high quality cocktails and personal service. There should also be a vibrant and varied live music programme with no hype or fuss.
Back into City civilization, just this week saw the launch of new members club and live music venue ClubTEN at St Pauls, no longer a no-man’s land with the new One New Change development. The modern West End-style lounge is aiming to jazz up the member club experience and hit a cord with local bankers with live music and acoustic sets and will also have DJs and bottle service till late. Onto greener pastures and The Folly, which is about to open on Gracechurch Street. More details of this one on the right. Tim Badham is the founder of Innerplace, London’s leading providers of VIP entertainment, including film premieres, fashion shows, launch parties and members club access. www.innerplace.co.uk.