Waking along Mare Street one night, we were lured into this spot by the ambient glow from the candles and the cosy vibes it gave out. The owner was behind the bar that night, and, guess what: his name is Helgi! There's something so great about being in a place that is independently owned and the owner is there to take care of you himself. Which is exactly what Helgi did. His cocktail menu is a sort of map, helping you choose something to suit your tastes, but we went with one of his own signature drinks. I had one called "No Name, No Garnish". It was gorgeous and surprising. And the cocktails don't cost £12, like some other bars Hackney, so we ended up staying for a few more!
I didn't realise how new it still was, though. The place is still sort of under construction and a bit rough around the edges, though though that actually added a charm of its own somehow! We were told that a kitchen is opening soon serving platters that will be influenced by Icelandic fare. Not sure exactly what that means, but we'll definitely go back to check out!
So, a dark, cosy new bar serving amazing cocktails by a guy who clearly loves, and lives, what he does. If the owner is there, try get a seat at the bar so you can watch him in action. He was also really happy to introduce us to a whole range of drinks we'd never heard of before and tell us all sorts of interesting stories about their history. read more