Forget natty wine, Aperol Spritzes and ‘absolutely filthy’ martinis. If there’s one drinks trend that defines the 2020s, it’s agave. Nine Lives was one of the first London cocktail bars to espouse the virtues of Mexican spirits when it opened in 2017, and the subterranean venue tucked down a quiet Bermondsey alleyway remains a must-visit spot if you’re into tequila and mezcal.
The sizeable menu of mostly agave-based drinks divided into four sections – Long and Light; Straight Up; On The Rocks and Fizzy Rascals – featuring some great twists on modern classics (the ‘Cardboard Concord’ is a yummy mezcal-based twist on the Paper Plane) and a smattering of lesser-known Mexican concoctions (here’s hoping the Cantarito catches on in London before long!)
The bar’s name is inspired by a staunch commitment to zero waste that extends from the menu – house bitters are made from discarded citrus peels, Discarded Spirits products are used across the menu and additional waste is composted for growing herbs – to the decor, which features upcycled furniture, an abundance of rattan lampshades and the general air of a mid-century Mexico City drinking den that might be frequented by William S Burroughs.
Throw in a solid menu of Mexican munchies courtesy of resident kitchen Tigre Tacos and a very credible DJ residency serious making use of the bar’s custom-built hi-fi system, and you’re looking at a seriously zeitgeisty little spot.
Order this
The Saturday afternoon brunch menu is £65 a head, and you get a sharing starter of guac and chips followed by ceviche or corn ribs, a round of tacos and churros to finish, alongside 90 minutes of free-flowing margs, extremely quaffable micheladas and ‘meximosas’ (yes, that’s a tequila-based rendition of the classic brunch cocktail). Go with a nice big group so you can try the whole brunch menu, and make sure you’re sat as close as possible to the zingy ‘paloma ceviche’ made with toothsome sea bream and thick wedges of pink grapefruit, served with plantain chips.
Time Out tip
Keen to learn more about the trendiest spirit of the moment? Order one of the five very reasonably-priced agave flights at the back of the menu to get acquainted with some of the major distilleries on the market.