Picture by 69 Colebrook Row
SpeakEasy-style bars come in all different shapes and sizes. Unnoticeable doors, secret cellars, password-only, members-only etc etc. And although the strong arm of the law will not hunt these premises down, it feels special to be in a place that’s not accessible for everyone. On 69 Colebrook Row you can find The Bar With No Name, and conveniently called 69 Colebrook Row. Some things in life can be just that simple. To find this bar, you just have to turn on the navigation on your smartphone and you’re most certain to find this place, although it’s very easy to miss. The speakeasy part with this bar is that it’s just very small and tucked away and that they ask you to be nice to the neighbours after you leave, a kind gesture.
The bar opened mid 2009 and the man responsible for this is Tony Conigliaro. No not this one, this one! Mr Conigliaro is a veteran when it comes to bartending and working with spirits. He not only opened this bar, but also a laboratory, where new flavours are added to existing brands, which opens an endless array of possibilities for creating drinks. Most of the base-spirits, syrups and bitters are created in the Drinks Factory, establishing 69 Colebrook Row as one of the most progressive bars in the industry.
The place itself is not of the fancy kind: no expensive designs, no marble bar or gold-plated ornaments: at 69 Colebrook Row it is all about hospitality and great cocktails. It is highly recommended to make a reservation, just in case a few other people before have decided to have a drink in the same place: it fills up pretty easylee. You’re welcomed by the staff - the hostess and the bartenders, and the space is small enough to make no one enter unnoticed. All the (award-winning) staff-members are very capable of navigating you through their menu to find the perfect cocktail for you.
Drinking cocktails in The Bar With No Name is something special. As I’ve mentioned before, almost every ingredient that is used behind the bar comes out of their own lab, so you have to be open to try new flavours and put your taste buds to the test at times. And you will be rewarded for going here, for the drinks are all of extremely high quality. And yet pleasantly priced at £ 9. One example of all these great flavours is the Barbershop Fizz, in which you can find pine-infused gin (!) and a birch-vanilla syrup…talking about experimental!
The team has recently decided to revive the Gibson Martini , it’s not on their menu yet, but don’t hesitate to ask the staff. Just like you can ask for any classic cocktail – you are in safe hands when it comes down to these as well.
69 Colebrook Row is very well worth the visit, comes with a little journey to reach your destination, and has reset the standard for developing new flavours. You find yourself amongst a pleasant crowd and on week-end days a pianist will play tunes to enrichen the experience. Highly recommended!
The Bar With No Name – 69 Colebrook Row, London - +447540528593 or drinks@96colebrookrow.com