| Venue name: | 69 Colebrooke Row | Contact: |
|---|---|
| Address: |
69 Colebrooke Row London N1 8AA |
| Opening hours: | Open 5pm-midnight Mon-Wed, Sun; 5pm-1am Thur; 5pm-2am Fri, Sat |
| Transport: | Tube: Angel tube |
| Do you own this business? |
Average User Rating
3 / 5
Rating Breakdown
- 5 star:6
- 4 star:4
- 3 star:4
- 2 star:4
- 1 star:6
Terrible, terrible, terrible. Keep in mind I used to love this place, way back when there was the spirit of the founding bartender in the place. Now it feels like a speakeasy theme bar, with the piano and the small glasses on napkins and jazz theme music, only now staffed by what looked like under-aged bartenders loudly boasting about which girl they were shagging (yes really). And the drinks - if the rest didn't seem cynical enough it gets worse. For anyone who has had a classic cocktail, made with pride, filled with generosity and with a genuine understanding of the craft, which this place apparently sells itself on, well you'll want to drown your anger with cheap pints of Stella. You can pontificate all you like about paprika bitters or distilled clay, but if you can't make a proper Old Fashioned, Sidecar or Negroni then its just increasingly obvious you're a cynical theme-scam. Don't fall for it, please.
69 Colebrooke Row is a speakeasy-style bar down an unassuming back street in Islington.
An air of mystery surrounds this "bar with no name", luring you in with thoughts of illicit meetings, prohibition theming and delicious drinks. On some of these things, at least, it delivers.
The speakeasy nature will be more apparent in winter, as on a balmy summer evening the door was wide to the world - rather diminishing the effect. The bar is tiny, with perhaps six tables and an extra few seats at the piano when it's not in use - definitely book a table here. The atmosphere benefits from this bustle, and you're easily able to spy on the drinks ordered by fellow guests. The service, meanwhile, was extremely friendly on our visit, with waiters bedecked in white tuxedos pouring copious free water and generally being attentive without coming across as pushy.
The drinks, which should be the star of the show, are unfortunately rather forgettable: my rose-infused prosecco and "voodoo" rum concoctions were perfectly delicious, but nothing special in terms of show or presentation. The exception to this was a deconstructed Bloody Mary (The Prairie Oyster, pictured) served as a one-shot cocktail and free before 7pm. The literal explosion of flavours from the tomato-juice "egg yolk" was interesting and very different.
A very pleasant spot, but not the five-star experience offered by some of its contemporaries across the city.
We ended up going to the bar after a last minute panicky google search. Unfortunately by the time we arrived it was packed, but the waiter was really nice and booked us in for later that night. When we came back it was still packed (which was around 8:30pm), but didn't feel to crowded. It's a nice little bar and great for a drink or two before you head somewhere else.
The atmosphere was really lovely and the staff polite and attentive. It takes some time to get used to sitting so close to other people, but that only adds to the "living room vibe" you get. Sadly it did not really catch the 1920s charm as I was hoping and if you are looking for an authentic cocktail bar it might not be the right thing for you.
Unfortunately we did not try any of the cocktails, which is one of the reasons for me to get back there anytime soon. Overall it's a nice alternative to start your night, instead of going to your local pub.
As an N1 local, there's nothing I like better than finding a hidden gem within walking distance of my own front door so hopes were high for a visit to this bar, a place that I'd heard billed variously as 'retro', 'intimate', 'well done' and 'vintage'.
Let's start with the first thing - it is intimate. In fact I'd go so far as to say that's classic estate agent speak for small. This place is tiny but not only that, it's very, very full of tables & chairs, so much so that I was a bit surprised by how many could be squeezed into somewhere that was actually smaller than my flat and seriously, as a renter in London, who ever says that?! Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying this as a bad thing, I just want to make it super clear that this is not the place to go if you a) want a quiet drink for two where you have your own space or b) have issues with the elbows of your drinking neighbours. It was packed when we arrived at 6.15pm - some tables did clear up by 7pm when we left but it's advisable to book a table if you know you definitely want to get in on a specific night - and it was a tiny bit awkward upon first sitting down given that we felt so close to the couple next to us, I'm now expecting an invite to their wedding.
So ok, we've established that as with everywhere in London, space is at a premium here. However, the decor is quite timeless and you can't really argue against the 1920's-esque charm of white jacketed waiters, all of whom were friendly, respectful & helpful. Drinks were all £10.50 so not cheap but certainly not out of place on the London scene and they were brought swiftly - an Old Fashioned was proclaimed very good indeed by a long time lover of the cocktail and a Lipstick Rose was elegant enough, although as a fan of the flavour, I could have done with the rose notes being ramped up a notch or two. Water glasses were given freely and kept full and complimentary Prairie Oysters were a very cool touch; beautifully spheres of tomato in the form of yolks with horseradish vodka, Oloroso sherry, shallots, celery salt, pepper sauce & micro herbs...sweet, salty, savoury and down in one, they were a really great demonstration of the imagination and skill of the bar team here.
There was a definite buzz in the air and the fact it was so busy made me think that this is the kind of place a lot of people appreciate being within walking distance of their own sofas to. I'd go here for a drink en route to somewhere else and I'd enjoy the feeling of being somewhat in another time thanks to the surroundings but if it was quiet closeness with a loved one I was after, I might have to venture further afield.
The prairie oyster was brilliant but the rest of the drinks didn't match up and I thought the menu was a quite limited. That said it is not offensive.
Worth visiting, if only for the Bloody Mary shot, which appears to be an egg yolk nestling on an oyster shell - strangely delicious.
Great for a date as you are squeezed into a tiny area and most definitely will be touching. Drinks are ok, nothing to write home about. Much better places out there! The piano is a nice touch though as there are no enough places in London with live music!
Went with high expectations, totally disappointed. Five of us had three rounds of various cocktails, nothing that good between all of us.
This is cute little bar is the perfect little date place. Lovely cocktails, lovely service, and it has an almost retro vintage feel. It's not a big bar, so not perfect for large gatherings, but it's ideal if you just want a well crafted cocktail to start the night.
Great cosy little place perfect for a special treat when you want to splash out on a fancy cocktail or two. Bar staff are great at helping you choose according to your tipples of choice and not at all snooty. I have already recommended this to many friends.
Good, tasty cocktails made with a bit of experimental flair but the staff could use a lesson in service and the place is so small you feel like you're sharing your table with the entire bar. Disappointing and overrated, unfortunately.
Sounds like a typical small operation that is run by bar tenders and not hospitality enthusiasts, hence the arrogance where this is my domain and I know everything rather than, welcome to my home, I do some really fun drinks, what can I find that suites you?, they should name a cocktail humble and drink them all night. Bar tenders tend the bar, where knowledge, personality and technique is the only thing that makes them different from the person who is on the other side. they are your guests, treat them so.....
It's just not worth it. Every thing about this place is too small! Overpriced and overrated for a very uncomfortable experience. Wait until they move on to a larger spot. Not the friendliest staff either.
We went for a mate's 40th to see the legendary Gary Regan deliver an hilarious talk on bars that never made money! The drinks were great - if a little on the small side - the service helpful and friendly, and the atmosphere unpretentious. Plus we even got one of Regan's infamous finger-stirred Negronis! A great experience.
Really good -- call and reserve a spot as it gets busy... Much more intimate and frankly mature than the over run bars and pubs. Excellent quality of drinks --- I'm not an expert but the prices seemed fair for the brands used.. They don't make a song and dance over the presentation of the drinks (droll now surely) and they are a good portion. Went with a mate and was ideal for a catch up I don't recommend it as a group spot its tiny!
Service and atmosphere have always been fine but why am I paying more than £10 for the smallest drinks in the world? Saw someone get a martini when I was there not one of the drinks on the menu... He was charged more than the other drinks!
After the hype of this place I expected great things but I was really disappointed. The cocktails were certainly nothing special at the price they were and the staff were really quite rude. Guests were constantly being ushered in and out, I was being knocked constantly and you could hear the staff muttering to each other about how they needed to 'get rid' of that table as they had another group arriving. Not particularly relaxing. Why it's been voted the best cocktail bar in London I will never know.
Really disappointing, cocktail only ok, but oppressively hot in there. Really not worth the trip
Best drinks in London. Atmosphere is salacious and intimate. Hot bartenders & wait staff. Definitely an ideal date spot.
Worst birthday experience ever! We booked a table for ten, we were told several times that USUALLY they only accept a booking for 6 but they were going to make an exception. On the night we arrived 10minutes late (hey, have you ever caught the tube!) they had already removed one of our tables! By the time all ten of us arrived they decided that they're going to remove one more table, cause it's not right if people are sitting comfortbally whilst enjoying their drink! Three of us ended up sharing two chairs! The service wasn't great and when one of us decided not to pay the full DISCRETIONARY service charge she was told by the rude staff that she had to pay the full service charge, thereby defeating the purpose of it being discretionary. If you decide to go, don't bother booking, make sure you're not more than 4 people and don't expect any friendly service. To the TIme Out critcs please don't reconsider your rating!
