Worship Street Whistling Shop

Every time we go here it's exceptional. Great staff, incredible drinks (seriously the best I have had in London) and a wonderful atmosphere.

Awful service, inebriated bar staff and a maître d’ that had zero customer service skills. The First time we visited here in the summer it was a great experience but they have been overtaken by their own self-importance. We were taken of our table that we had booked only for it to sit empty for an hour. Don’t bother wasting your money here.

I went here almost a year ago and I was very impressed, sadly it's now ruined by the customers. It could be a great speakeasy style bar but they let in anyone it seems now. It's stripped the place of any class, it's full of braying city types on a friday and the essex crowd on a saturday. The drinks are still great but it's hard to enjoy with screeching women wanting something pink and sweet to drink or the geezers wanting a "proper" drink i.e. lager. You can't move and if you're not sat down then you're likely to get knocked and pushed by the aforementioned customers.
It's a shame, if they were a bit more discerning about who and how many people they let in then it could be something great instead of just another bar in the city full of loud muppets.

Its not often you go to a bar with a lab... this is something special. Really nice balance of relaxed atmosphere with ultra sophisticated drinks. The waiter also told me there is a multi-sensory cocktail emporium launching soon - will definitely be booking in for that. Good work!

Went here for after work drinks to celebrate a birthday on Tuesday 21st February. The venue had ZERO atmosphere, ridiculously over priced! £13.00 + for a warm beer and a small warm glass of white wine. You only had a choice of one Red or White by the glass. Service well below average! If this venue is going to charge it's premium prices, you at least need good quality, customer service and atmosphere. After one round our party of 20 moved upstairs to the BlueBerry bar, which was better in all ways!

The booking system is a nightmare- and they need to be clearer about the reserved area. But then I supose it's like in a restaurant.
The drinks were excellent, and the service was suprising and refreshing for london. The things that matter were exemplery- the drinks and the service. The other stuff- music, booking- not so bohtered.

The booking system is a nightmare- and they need to be clearer about the reserved area. But then I supose it's like in a restaurant.
The drinks were excellent, and the service was suprising and refreshing for london. The things that matter were exemplery- the drinks and the service. The other stuff- music, booking- not so bohtered.

Mixed feelings about this place; first time i went last year it was great - good service, nice atmosphere.
Went again recently and it was poor; waitress was deliberately awkward about the 'reserved area'..service at the bar was ok, but with added service charges some of the cocktails get pretty overpriced. Egg-Nog curdled immediately, and there was loud cheesy music.
Really annoying how London venues often do this - great start, then they get complacent and lazy.
It's gone from a place I'd told my friends about to somewhere I'd suggest they avoided.

Awful service. The bar staff are incredibly rude and thinking they are beyond the job they are employed to do. We were a group of 15 who all work in the area and will not be recommending it to anyone.

Very good Gin and Whisky lists, but frankly wierd tasting cocktails - all the bar staff seem kool-aid convinced that they are the best thing ever, and we really tried to like them - but even so, piney cider Wassail with an actual sprig of christmas fir stuck in it tasted more like toilet cleaner frankly, or air freshener; the Gin fizz was pretty much like lemsip; notwithstanding the odd inclusion of olive oil as an emulsion. Just wierdness. Otherwise, a nice enough basement bar; exposed brick, candles, a bit of laboratory looking stuff in the corner, where the wierd tasting experiments come from; otherwise, music = not very victorian, and the place is stuffed full of suits - not surprising since it's right next to the city I guess, still not what we expected from the review. Perhaps it has changed since it made it big in Time Out...perhaps not. At most one or two lost-looking hipsters. The suits were well behaved, to be fair. We experienced VERY friendly barstaff - bordering on harassment . . .

Good coctails, terrible service. When we tried to make a booking in advance for a large group, we were told that the big central table was already booked, then we asked what our other options were, a very pretentious person on the phone told us that they would decide when we would get there and there was no such thing as booking a specific table, but of course had no answer for how the central table was booked if you couldn't book a specific table. we ended up reserving space for 15 people, but only got seating for 8. when we asked the person in charge, she smiled and said they usually sit 20 people there as if we were idiots. I'm not going there again.

You know when a bar just gets it right?? This is one of those occasions. Drinks menus is incredibly well thought out and there's a great contrast here between the old fashioned furniture and the lab with all its polished tiles and glass bits and pieces. My favourite bar in London.

After reading the glowing review of The Whistling Shop on Time Out, I was keen to try it out. I booked a table for me and 3 friends for 10.30pm on a Saturday night. Due to getting stuck in traffic om the way there we arrived 15-20 minutes late. On arrival I spoke to the woman managing the reserved section of the bar, explaining that I ahd booked and apologising for being late. I told her my name and she said I hadn't booked a table, although I assured her I had and had an email confirming it from the bar. She went off somewhere for Bout 20 seconds, then came back and told me the table was gone and I could wait in the unreserved section of the bar for a table to become available. I asked her how long they kept tables for but instead of answering she told me again our table was gone. I repeated my question to be told 15-20 minutes which it was clear the woman only said because that's how late we were! The trsnage thing was that the were a number of free tables in the resreved area which never filled up but for some reason she didn't want ti give to us! We instead sat in the unreserved area of the bar where there were at least 3 free tables and ordered a round of drinks. The cocktails were interesting but nothing too special, althoughbthe staff at the bar were friendly unlike their female colleague manging the other section of the bar. I didn't particularly like the atmosphere of the bar, it's clearly trying to do Victoriana but not really pulling it off. It felt dingy rather than cosy. I don't think I'd go again.

Don't bother. I wouldn't mind it being so out of the way if the cocktails were immense or the bar was extra special/ really victorianna. Neither of these apply. Plus the barmen are rude. Fail on all accounts

The reservations system here is frustrating. When you call up, you are redirected to book online - but this means if you have a party larger than 5 you have to book several tables. Of course, when we arrived this meant that our tables were not situated close by to each other, even though we had requested so in the notes.

Also, the tables only have a time limit of 2 hours. I think this works great in a restaurant, where meals draw to a natural conclusion. However, when you're drinking, most people will continue drinking for the whole evening if they have a nice table to sit around. The 2 hour limit - whilst very fair towards customers so everyone can experience being seated - is frustrating and cuts short a good night.

If those are the rules, then those are the rules - but after being ousted after our 2 hour slot, we left and spent our money elsewhere instead of staying on at the Whistling Shop.

On the subject of cocktails - they are pricey, but well made. They aren't showy cocktails either - all of the drinks were served plainly and simply. The range of cocktails is eclectic, but certainly not as tasty as the ones on the menu at the nearby Nightjar where the service, drinks and ambience impressed me more than the Whistling Shop.

I'm not sure I'd return in a hurry... and if I did, it would certainly be in a smaller group and on a quieter evening.

Went there early last Friday night. Was promptly greeted by a bartender who brought over menus and tea, which was great. However, we then waited around for 20 minutes to have someone come over and take our orders (we had to go up to the bar). I am understanding if there are tons of people in the place and it is dinner hour, but it was about 5:30, fairly empty and there were plenty of staff available (or so it seemed). Strangely, our glasses were whisked away within one minute of finishing, which implies the bar back service is strong.

Drinks were well-made, but not awe-inspiring for a craft-cocktail or speakeasy joint. Atmosphere was alright, keep in mind it was early, and the place was decently appointed. Nothing was bad, but nothing was outstanding either. For Time-Out's best new bar, I expected a heck of a lot more.

Finally, they tacked on a 12.5% service charge. I'm from the other side of the pond, so I am well used to doubling the first number; but adding a service charge, especially when no service was provided, is difficult to swallow. Poor service + service charge is how I will remember WSWS.

A very enjoyable evening was spoiled by being massively overcharged for drinks charged at 50% more than clearly advertised on the drinks list on their website. Two bottles of Ridgeview sparkling wine quoted at £30 each (without any reference to it being an introductory or promotional price subject to change) was charged on my bill at £45 each. It was pointed out that this price war quoted on the list in the bar but I had no reason to think it would be different from the prices shown on the contradictory website.
I would recommend anyone visiting be very careful to check they don't also fall for this sharp practice that does an otherwise good venue no credit.

I went there last night and it was heaving. Bartenders were incredible- no wait at the bar, great drinks and nice crowd. be back as soon as i can.

I came here with high expectations and to be honest was a bit disappointed. The drinks selection is interesting and well put together, the cockail I had was delicious. However, I think what let's the whole experience down is the atmosphere and feel of the place. I understand it used to be a wine bar, and it still feels a bit like that (with music to match). If you are going to charge that amount for drinks and try and sell the victorian gin palace thing, it needs to immerse you into a different kind of world/environment. The building blocks are there, but needs investment to really make it interesting

Sorry but Colebrooke Row would be great if they EVER changed their menu... WSWS blows it away by selection offering alone and is completely different, in my opinion. Love my visits and congrats to all!

Really really wonderful. Birthday celebrations were made to feel extra special by amazing staff (even got us a candle and make shift cake!). The drinks were the best we've had, and the setting was fabulous. A fantastic gem

you are kidding aren't you!!! This place creams all over colebrooke row!!!! Best drinks in London closesly followed by their other bar Purl! Fluid Movement are absolute legends

Came last Thursday, drinks were amazing especially the exploded martini which was mind blowing! I really don't know how you could even compare this to 69 Colebrooke row, it's completely different! And better!

Fun, lovely looking place, good drinks liked the Cats cream thingy served (by a cute bartender.. 4 stars for that..) although they seem to have taken a lot of their format/ideas from 69 Colebrooke row its still worth a visit..... if only for the cute bartender....

easily the best drinks in town. not too fussed by the decor or the music but it's definitely not ugly. great atmosphere and friendly helpful staff. food is great with the drinks. what more can you want?
this is a place that puts london up on the worldwide rankings.

amazing drinks, amazing food and any bar that has a lab on show is a must see!! Wow I was mermerised by the place from start to finish
Fluid movement boys ROCK!! Thank you

I've been here twice in the last two weeks and will be back again soon! incredible drinks (best in London at the moment) and delightful staff. Personally I loved the music and the decor too.

My advice is to get in there before everyone else finds out!

agree with below review.....love the bar. loads of seating, amazing drinks and food. well done

amazing bar, amazing drinks.....just the sort of place shoreditch needs!!! fluid movement seem to be taking over london