The Nightjar

Bar in The City

7 / 10 from 1 review

Address
129 City Road
The City
London
EC1V 1JB

Telephone
020 7253 4101

Region
The City

Nearest Station

Category
Bars

Website
http://www.barnightjar.com/

Opening Summary
Thursday: 6pm – 2am
Friday - Saturday: 6pm – 3am
Sunday – Wednesday: 6pm – 1am

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Venue Facilities

Smoking Area

Harking back to a bygone age of live music, quality drinking and top-notch hospitality, this upmarket bar aims to be just that whilst not being stuffy or exclusive.

Our inspiration comes from an age when live music was a customary part of a good night out, drinking was a connoisseur’s game, and hospitality was an art.

The Nightjar Picture Gallery

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All In London Review

Speakeasy-style cocktail bar in Shoreditch

It’s a Shoreditch bar, but not as we know it, for Nightjar harks back to the speakeasy aesthetic of yesteryear. Didn’t the now-defunct Last Days of Decadence attempt that I hear you say? Yes, but Nightjar are clearly taking their upmarket ethos very seriously, as bartenders wear smart outfits and there is even a no-trainers policy on the door. Booking is advised, as all those seeking a drink of the less boisterous kind in this neighbourhood flock here on busy nights, and there is live music mostly of the swing and jazz variety on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Sit at the wooden bar or on one of the soft leather banquettes, either way it’s a more soothing, candle-lit experience than the drinking holes of Shoreditch High Street offer. Even its location on City Road takes it away from the hustle and bustle of the main strip, and if you blink you’ll miss the non-descript doorway that leads down to this basement bar (memorise the door number as you won’t spot the sign). The cocktail list is divided into pre-prohibition, prohibition and post-war drinks and are priced at around £10; alternatively order a punch bowl (or an oak tankard, or an Art Deco shaker) of various concoctions to share among a group. The Morning Glory Fizz with whisky, absinthe, champagne, lemon and lime will revive the most listless of corpses, or for an old classic their gin martini can be made with the gin of your choice, you can, if you wish, splash out £60 on the 1913 Old Tom gin. When you get peckish you can soak up the spirits with fried plantain, beef carpaccio canapés or homemade jerky.

Reviewed by Leila
Published on Jun 28, 2011

In The News

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Hidden amongst an array of typical London shop fronts is the Nightjar. A cocktail bar first, speakeasy second, it’s a surprise there’s any room for anybody here such are the levels of style that ooze from every facet. If you’re looking to impress someone, this is the place.

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Glamorous, yet unpretentious, Nightjar is a real gentleman of a venue. Located on City Road, just off Old Street, prices are expectedly high and since it is a cocktail bar, one does feel obliged to indulge. However, with live music most nights of the week and a 1920’s to 1940’s policy, the mood is set with some fine sounds. Boardwalk Empire meets Swingers.

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If you want non-traditional drinks, speakeasy-inspired Nightjar has enticing concoctions to share like Hug a Wildcat, made with cachaça, mezcal, pisco, blood orange and kumquat among others.

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In 2011 Nightjar launched a selection of 12 different types of absinthe, the largest range available in any UK bar - this has now expanded to an incredible 25. It’s still a relatively unknown spirit as legend once had it that absinthe could send people mad, although it was in fact the wormwood which has hallucinogenic properties. Try the appropriately named Barrel Aged Zombie, with rum, absinthe, apricot brandy, pineapple and tamarind soda.

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The trend for speakeasy-style bars may be tired now, but Nightjar’s dimly lit, somehow illicit-feeling basement bar is still a great hangout regardless. Their delectable cocktails are complemented by an original tapas menu which includes fried Murcia cheese with lemon and octopus with fennel.

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The speakeasy revival may be over, but this seductive den will never go out of fashion. Dark and atmospheric, it has one of the UK’s largest selections of absinthe, the bar staff’s mixing skills are faultless, and drinks are served in super chic glassware – this is where you take someone you want to impress. Make sure you book in advance as it’s seating room only and gets very busy.

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