Nightjar – London

If you hear the name Nightjar, it sounds slightly mysterious and enchanting and you have the feeling that it must be exclusive. Well yes it is but if you are early with booking or if you come late at night as a walk up you might get lucky. I recommend doing the first one and get yourself a reservation for the music session as you are in for a treat if you do. Before I came to Nightjar the first time as a guest I did a two days’ course around 1 ½ years ago. I tagged along with a few friends and there were some other bartenders from around the world there. Marian Beke and Luca Cinalli, the two bar masters were training us.

All in all, an interesting two days if not slightly overpriced. Ice carving and other basics but also drinks compositions from their crazy menu. It was fun that’s for sure but I would opt for a much smaller class if I would go back. The ingredients, the ideas and the presentation are really something else in this place. Things you have never heard of, presentation of a drink like a dish in a Michelin star place. You can really impress a date at Nightjar. I came twice as a guest that weekend and I return just a couple of weeks back with my brother to show him the place. You find Nightjar in Shoreditch. A friendly bouncer stands in front of a dark brown door. The only thing that points to Nightjar is that small placard with the bird on it. Then you know you are at the right place. Sometimes there is a queue later at night because the problem is, once you are inside you don’t really want to leave. Is it because of the drinks, the music? You are about to find out. The bar has this speakeasy feel to it. You walk down a flight of stairs and you are entering the room that offer some 80+ seats if I remember well. Nightjar has a seating only policy which is a good thing I think as people are dancing when the music starts to play. No smoking and no picture taking of the room itself. I got told off even though it didn’t say. You are allowed to photograph your cocktail which you will as it looks very pretty. The cocktail menu is extensive and a lot of drinks are ordered throughout the evening therefore groups tend to order punches which makes it easier for the bartenders. They are not having a relaxed night though. It is full on.

Two bartenders serving the whole room is quite something. That’s why most of the time the few seats in front of the bar stay empty. Not only because it would distract the staff but also because it lets you see better how they work. Especially if Marian and Luca are working the speed is high. There is another helper with easier drinks and other stuff and there are some hosts that take care of you. They are ever so friendly and try to accommodate your wish. At least that’s how I felt it. We had quite some drinks during the evening and it would take long to name them all but the best one I had during that evening was a composition called Rosita with Excellia Reposado Tequila, Shiso Sauvignon Blanc, Nettle Tea, Pepper Tokaji, Campari and Tobacco. You hardly find a drink that has just 2-3 ingredients. I liked the drink a lot. Not too sweet, a slight bitterness, nicely balanced. These many ingredients, at least for me, seem difficult to manage. When I compose a drink I have the aspiration that you smell or taste a slight touch of all the ingredients in it. They play with each other, the support each other, together they make the cocktail what it is. Most of the drinks at Nightjar, for my taste, are far too sweet. Ingredients are lost, you look for this one taste that you see on the menu but you just don’t find it on your palate. Don’t get me wrong, you don’t have to taste every single one very strong. As said before, they work with each other but at Nightjar I could sometimes not make out the type of alcohol that was used if I would not have known it.

It might be because I tend to drink classic cocktails and the sweet tooth is less for me, it might well be. Tastes are different in the end but I drink a lot of cocktails around the world and think that I can judge at least a little bit. Not every bar can do every drink. It is impossible. I would have liked if a bar like Nightjar says that they only do their drinks from the menu. Why not? I can be there concept. Nobody would judge. Might be because they find themselves in the top10 over the last couple of years that they think they have to offer classic cocktails too. I would understand if they say, we don’t do it. Because if they serve it to you, it should be spot on as No 3 in the world. I finished off the evening with a Manhattan and a Sazerac. The Sazerac was solid and very nicely presented but the Manhattan was almost undrinkable. It was the sweetest Manhattan I ever had. I have to admit that I was slightly disappointed. The evening though turned out to be so much fun. Met funny and interesting people on the table next to us and spent the evening with them. The live music was splendid. You can really have fun at this place. This is why, even though the drinks might not be to my liking, I enjoy coming back here. It will be interesting to see how this place develops over the next years. I have been told that Marian is leaving Nightjar and Luca is opening a second place of the Nightjar owners called Oriole. Crazy cocktail creations I have seen so I am curious how this place turned out. Opening is 20^th November 2015. It might be that Nightjar gets a bit more quiet.

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