A disco curry heaven, the cocktail bar comeback of one of the world's best bartenders, and the hotel lounge where you can sip champagne next to Liberace's piano: this season's openings are the hottest seats in the city...
NYC style has officially arrived in Camberwell thanks to this new basement bar from Sergio Leanza and Anna Fairhead-Benitez, the duo behind Peckham cocktail lounge Funkidory. Like its older sib, Mamafunki is all about nostalgic, funky tunes and a laid-back atmosphere, channelling some big New York coffeehouse energy with low lighting, leather sofas, regular live music and a mahogany wood-panelled bar topped with sleek black stone. Dreamy. Drinks-wise, bartending ace Sergio is doubling down on his commitment to local ingredients, using sake, kombucha, honey, beer and more from some of Southeast London's finest.
29-33 Camberwell Church Street, London SE5 8TR
The Dorchester is one of 007's swankiest stomping grounds in the James Bond books, so it's only fitting that the hotel's newly revamped bar draws its inspo from the series (it's named after the Vesper cocktail, which Bond orders in Casino Royale). This is luxury to the bedazzled extreme, designed by interiors legend Martin Brudnizki (also responsible for the OTT design of the new hedonistic heaven Bacchanalia), decked out with all the gold accents and a plated Palladium ceiling from the 1930s. When it comes to the drinks, the writing's on the wall: Martinis are the move here, naturally.
The Dorchester, Park Lane, London W1K 1QA
Yup, The Dorchester team has blessed us with not one, but TWO new bars this year. While Vesper has the Bond vibes on lock, Artists' Bar serves up new levels of decadence through the seriously stylish artwork gracing the walls (hence the name) - not to mention the Lalique crystal bar and Liberace's mirrored piano taking pride of place in the centre of the promenade. Casual.
The Dorchester, Park Lane, London W1K 1QA
Back when we were all baking banana bread, making dalgona coffee and ripping on Stanley Tucci's Negroni technique in the Year That Must Not Be Named, pop-up delivery service Hot 4 U took off. Now the project's co-founder, ex-Cub chef Matthew Scott, is bringing his off-the-wall nostalgic flavours (see: whey iced bun with Marmite butter, koji fried chicken, pig's blood waffle) to the bricks-and-mortar restaurant Papi in Hackney, teaming up with Wingnut Wines' Charlie Carr. With a focus on natural vino from underrepresented producers and an atmosphere that's bound to be rowdy, this is one for all the peeps who like their wines, and their vibes, more than a little funky (*raises hand*).
1F Mentmore Terrace, London E8 3PN
The latest opening in the eight-strong Mr Fogg's hospitality empire is set in the heart of Soho, inspired by Victorian-era pawnshops, dripping with antiques, vintage carpets and jewels - plus some Victorian erotica that'll really get your heart racing. The cocktails are sure to be just as extra as the decor: we're eyeing the Priceless Heirloom, a mix of Bombay Sapphire gin, Essentiae lemon verbena liqueur, raspberry shrub, lime juice and Franklin & Sons Rose Lemonade, served in a Ming-style vase. Time to embrace your inner pawnstar!
50 Dean Street, Soho, London W1D 5BQ
Who is Lucy Wong, you ask? She's a (fictional) mid-century socialite, and her namesake bar in Fitzrovia - the latest from the group behind Central London faves Fam and Opium - is gonna be your entrée to her world. Drawing on the style of 1950s Hong Kong, this new cocktail spot will feature opulent decor and live entertainment, plus a hidden outdoor terrace for cosying up with the cool cat in your life. Drinks come courtesy of mixology ace Dré Masso, who has created a menu of classics with Asian-inspired twists (hello, Cherry Blossom Manhattan). Need some fuel for your night out? You'll be able to dig into some next-level dim sum and roast meats, too. Lucy, you're our kinda gal.
33-34 Rathbone Place, London, W1T 1JN
A little bird told us this new Kentish Town pub from the team behind The Blues Kitchen is gonna be lush. Most of the details are still under wraps, but former Brat chef Ben Allen will be running the kitchen with a touch of live-fire flair, and if it's anything like its bluesy siblings, some damn good tunes will be involved, too.
256 Kentish Town Rd, London NW5 2AA
Curry, cocktails and disco, all in one place: this might just be BarChick's dream come true. From Harneet Baweja, the man who brought us Gunpowder, comes Empire Empire, a flashy, '70s-inspired Notting Hill restaurant serving up dishes inspired by northwestern Indian cuisine alongside natural wines and cocktails, all to a soundtrack of groovy Bollywood hits. Dancing is encouraged - and you don't need to ask us twice.
16 All Saints Road, London W11 1HH
Your new date night spot is hitting Mayfair this spring. The third instalment from the Noble Rot crew is setting up shop in the building that used to be the brasserie Le Boudin Blanc, with a wine programme that's their "most ambitious yet". Hell yeah! If this one's like its sisters on Lamb's Conduit Street and Greek Street, it's sure to have an epic by-the-glass list, a killer menu of sharing plates with an emphasis on local produce, and a dark, brooding, intimate atmosphere that's straight outta Paris. Bring it on, mon cherie.
5 Trebeck St, Shepherd Market, London W1J 7LT
This sequel to the wicked neighbourhood wine bar Peckham Cellars is bringing mega New and Old World wines and awesome bar snacks to Camberwell. When the sun finally deigns to grace London with some warmth, we plan on spending our days on the terrace working our way through the wine list before snagging a bottle to takeaway from the shop next door.
75 Camberwell Church Street, London SE5 8TU
This one's gonna be big! Once upon a time in the rosier days of 2019, superstar bartender Erik Lorincz opened his tropical bar Kwānt in the basement of the restaurant Momo on Heddon Street. But when Momo shut down in 2020, the former head bartender of the American Bar at The Savoy had to close Kwānt, too. So he went to Ibiza and ran Kwānt as a pop-up at the boujee Me Ibiza hotel (pretty slick for a back-up plan). Now he's bringing the bar back with new digs in Mayfair, set to boast the same Moroccan influences as the OG, but with a few twists. We're ready for it.
52 Stratton St, London W1J 8LN
Step into the fantastical world of Alice in Wonderland at this trippy bar in the tunnels below Waterloo Station. It's part of Labrynth, a new development that's home to Alice's Adventures Underground, a fully immersive theatre production based on the beloved story. The bar looks set to be a wild, zany tea party, with mini Martinis, cocktails in tea cups and more than a few dramatic surprises. Hungry? Be sure to check out Labrynth's English garden-inspired resto The Rosarium, also coming soon. It's gonna be a wild ride.
The Sidings Waterloo Station, London SE1 7BH
09/02/2023
Lead image credits (L-R): The Dorchester hotel; Lateef Okunnu for Underland; The Dorchester hotel; Mr Fogg's Pawnbrokers; Mamafunki