The best bars in Shoreditch

Tayēr + Elementary is a grey and pine space, minimal in style yet maximal in its ergonomics (by God, the seats are comfortable). At the front is Elementary, an all-day hangout with high benches and stools plus really, really fun drinks. Tayēr is the more elevated, drink-focused bar at the back, which, despite being industrial-looking gives the impression of drinking in somebody’s home. Well worth a visit – to either bar. 

The basement of One Hundred Shoreditch is a relaxed, impressively low-lit and supremely welcoming space with terrazzo tables, cool pine panelling and soft 1960s-stylings. Megastar mixologist Ryan Chetiyawardana – aka Mr Lyan – is behind the Seed Library’s menu, with potent offerings such as the Moonlit Gimlet with tequila, soured green peas, and elderflower, the Megamix Sazerac with scotch, beeswax vinegar and absinthe mallow or the Hand-rolled Spritz with gin, rolled cardamom leaf, unripe plum and redcurrant bubbles. 

A swanky cocktail joint this is not. It’s more as if someone has turned their garage into a makeshift venue, complete with white walls, corrugated metal roof, speakers and a mixer shoved beside the open kitchen. Oranj is a wine bar, but one which also hosts amazing food pop-ups. Recent decents include Ha's Đặc Biệt, a rightly hype-y Vietnamese kitchen direct from New York, as well as Decatur – the much-loved New Orleans-worshipping one man kitchen. A one-stop shop night out.

Drift up towards Hoxton and then sneak underground for what is still many a bartender’s favourite bar. Cocktails at Happiness Forgets are faultless, decor is minimal and service is fun. Bag a seat up at the bar for maximum impact.

A cocktail institution if ever there was one, Callooh Callay has been showing other bars how drinking is done since 2008. Its playful tone and first-rate drinks help keep it relevant despite the changing times. We’ve never had a dull moment at this bar.

Spread over two floors – a barely lit basement lounge and a brighter groundfloor – the look is fairly formulaic (exposed brick walls, industrial ceiling ducts, bare filament bulbs, red neon). But there’s a cursory nod to the music theme, with records stacked tall on shelves. Live music and DJs keep the place buzzing, with tunes blasting out in the cosier basement space, too. The two for one cocktail happy hour runs from 5-8pm – a great way to start your night with a boozy bang.

Rickrollers assemble, this bar just so happens to be part-owned by 80s pop sensation Rick Astley’s. Danish brewer Mikkeller’s first London outpost is a decent enough spot to sample an interesting beer or two in among Swiss cheese plants and mid-century furniture. Quite a stride away from your standard Shoreditch craft beer bar.

And here you were thinking the whole speakeasy thing was so 2010. Well, it kind of is. That’s when Nightjar opened and blew all other speakeasies out of the water. It’s still a bucket-list bar. Book ahead for a night of jazz-era glitz and mind-boggling Prohibition-tinged drinks.

The eponymous bottles at this bar are of the wine kind and have been sourced from independent producers and small vineyards across Italy. The space is a moodily lit stretch of brick walls, wooden counters and leather stools, and all the waiting staff are sommeliers, fully equipped to chat through your plonk preferences. Seasonal, Italian menus provide plenty of good stuff to line your stomach, too. 

Japanese whisky is put on a pedestal at Bull in a China Shop, a lively, grungy bar at the foot of Shoreditch High Street. It serves Scotch too, but it’s Nikka From The Barrel you should seek out. Pair it with rotisserie chicken for a unique spin on Shoreditch.

You know what all other bars are missing? A massive hunk of oak tree sawn in half, laid flat and used as a vessel for two whisky rivers. And there are plenty more clever things happening with the brown stuff in this dark, brooding basement. Whisky never looked so good.