London has been overrun with ‘listening bars’ in the last couple of years, but few, if any, take such a fastidious approach to their drinks list as this Hackney Road specimen opened by Michael Sager (of Sager + Wilde fame) in 2023. Partly inspired by Edward Hopper’s Nighthawks, the decor in the corner bar is similarly atmospheric; all bare plaster walls, dark wood and mid-century furnishings. The cocktail list is divided into two main sections. ‘Equal Parts’ highlights short, strong drinks made with equal measures of each ingredient, while ‘Signatures’ features more unique recipes incorporating a variety of trendy ingredients: think mezcal, calvados and plenty of savoury components. There’s also a compact list of bottled beers, low-intervention wines, one slushie and a handful of no/low offerings, with olives and nuts to nibble on.
Order this
The ‘Flor’ is a clean, pleasingly saline and thoroughly refreshing martini made with olive oil-washed vodka, fino sherry and distilled tomato water with just a hint of basil. It’s everything that’s good about the savoury cocktail trend, and dangerously drinkable.
Time Out tip
If you’re looking for somewhere to take a friend who doesn’t drink, this place is a great option. Few alcohol-free drinks satisfy the craving for something bitter and grown-up, but Equal Parts’ small but perfectly formed no/low menu definitely does; so convincing was an alcohol-free negroni that my sober friend thought he’d been given the wrong drink.