Drink, Shop, Do... the permanent pop-up

Drink Shop, Do sails into Kings Cross as a perfect antidote for those craving a bit of class, colour and cleanliness
Drink, Shop, Do... the permanent pop-up picture

We all love a bit of London’s grimy bar scene, but there undoubtedly comes a time for everyone when swilling gritty mojitos in the shadows just doesn’t cut it anymore. Sitting amidst the metropolitan clamour of Kings Cross, ‘Drink, Shop, Do’ sails in as the perfect antidote for those craving a bit of colour and cleanliness.

This is all part of the creative brooding of old school friends Kristie and Coralie. The driving force is a hybrid of pretty, kitsch and indie resulting in a clean, bright venue of reds and whites. For London, it is a strawberry and cream sweet sitting in a bed of liquorice. Beginning as a Christmas pop-up, the ideas were such a success that a few months later, they set up permanently.

A multi-functioning venue it welcomes clientele from 10.30am until the small hours, sitting neat as a café-bar come vintage shop. To add a further bit of sparkle, it throws out such evening offers as ‘Play Dough Ghetto Blaster Night,’ ‘Dot to Dot Disco’ and ‘Transport Origami’. The aim of the place is to create a buzzing, friendly atmosphere centred on entertaining adults with a bit of creative fun and a sense of humour thrown in for good measure. You can get a cocktail at tea time and afternoon tea at midnight, play scrabble over beers and model Spok out of clay while listening to the latest Indie tunes.

In the white-walled interior, customers can browse an array of designer, handmade and vintage goods. Indie Kids can sink into a fantasy of brightly coloured tea towels, buttons, badges, cards, mugs, exquisite old tea sets, tea pots galore, quirky tables and chairs, and 1950’s paraphernalia. Rare items brought through the shop include signs from the first English Steak House, vintage cocktail cabinets and salt and pepper shakers made by the same designers that bought the world Flower Pot heroes Bill and Ben. There’s a blissfully enthusiastic approach to sourcing the artefacts. With roots in the design scene at St Martins, the venue is now approached by designers from all corners, from those who stock Liberties to locals cross stitching one off items on the tube.

The plethora of goods is mirrored by the offerings in the café-bar. Browsers can relax with an afternoon tea rich in handmade cakes, milkshakes, ice creams and finger sandwiches, or alternatively hit cocktail hour and knock back a few sprits. There’s even bottled beer for those looking to keep it real. These kickbacks are extended down in the basement in the venue’s shadier sibling ‘Drink, Shop, Dance’; a dancing venue decked out with black and white prints, candelabras and a 50s pianist and singer in residence every Saturday. The bar boasts 30 boutique gins and serves up a mean gin martini.

It is, however, the events that really set this place aside. This month has seen a jamboree of choices from Adult Colour by Numbers and Musical Bingo to Lego Robots and ‘Play with Clay Star Wars Stylee’. Customers have also indulged in ‘The Mixtape Club’ – speed dating with the gut-wrenchingly saccharine addition that London’s lovers donate a mix tape to be played through the night and picked up by an unknown suitor when the evening draws to a close. Regular events include ‘Pin-Up Vintage Hair and Make-up’, transforming visitors into beehive gods and goddesses for £15 a set. The Early Doors Disco lets weekday revellers dance away until a ripe 10pm – letting go without the 3am office hangover. Events are usually free with the occasional supplement.

Looking into the future the proprietors know they would be cutting the world short not to consider expansion. They’re keen to keep the concept "fairly unique" – it is a destination rather than a chain. However, as they are clearly deeply passionate about the enterprise and getting a lot of fun from it, it is clearly a case of watch this space.

drinkshopdo.com
9 Caledonian Road, London, N1 9DX

Monday to Wednesday 10:30–23:00
Thursday 10:30–00:00
Friday & Saturday 10:30–02:00
Sunday 10:30–20:00

E: [email protected]
T: 020 7278 4335

This article is connected to Drink Shop & Do
Published May 9, 2012