Nola

Nola is a super cool 1920s New Orleans themed speakeasy situated above another bar called Bedroom.

This is one of those places where the waiters really know their shiz. The menu is extensive to the point where you just end up asking the staff what they recommend.

Cocktails are served simply and are made so that you can taste the alcohol. Great for alcohol aficionados - particularly whisky lovers - but probably not for don't want to taste the alcohol, drink to get pissed folk like myself.

The bar is dimly lit and plays soft jazzy tunes so it's ideal for date night, or for anyone who is down for a chat over some drinks.

Randomly stopped by this bar around 7:15 on a Saturday night and was told we could have a table for 45 minutes which was fine with us. When we got there it wasn't too busy but by the time we left around 8pm it was getting pretty noisy.

Good drinks, fun décor, nice staff, and great music (while you can hear it). I'll definitely go back.

This bar is located *inside* the bedroom bar, so you won't be able to spot a sign from the street. Head inside (we all had our bags searched on the way in), then ignore the rammed area downstairs and wander up to the lovely spacious oasis upstairs.

I didn't realise this was a members only bar (we arrived before midnight, so wandered straight in...) but I saw people being turned away at the top of the stairs later on in the evening, so I guess the early bird catches the cocktail.

I'm not used to cocktail bars with drinks so strong that you're only allowed to order two per person!* My friend ordered the super strong nuclear hurricane (of course)... now she, unlike me is pretty good at holding her alcohol...but after these two drinks (and the others we all tried) she was so tipsy that she wandered off at the end of the night on her own. So beware of the sweet-tasting, but knock-you-over-sweetly cocktails. The waitress did keep re-filling our glasses of water, so at least they are on anti-hangover patrols. This must have saved my brain the following morning.

So this is a relaxed, friendly and pleasant bar...Just make sure you have mates to carry you home if you're a lightweight like me!!

*The nuclear hurricane is the only cocktail that you're only allowed to order 2pp, but the waitress did say she'd allow us more if we really wanted.

Located across from Callooh Callay on Rivington Street, this recently opened cocktail bar is heavily inspired from Bourbon Street, New Orleans, hence the name.

This place is amazing... their sazeracs are crisp, and I would highly recommend their 50/50 (half cognac, half rye). Their hurricanes are super good, made with passion fruit and lime, and some overproof rum... goes down nice and easy. If you're feeling bold, go for the nuclear hurricane, which adds a dash of chartreuse (limit of 2 nuclear hurricanes per person... lol).

Open from 6pm to midnight for non members, and until 3 am for members.

One word. GO.

OK i kind of love this place. Although I didnt make a booking, we were able to have drinks by the bar. The atmosphere is cool with a bunch of booths for groups to have drinks in.

I had the OTHER woman, which is clearly a very risque drink but very delicious and probably very dangerous because it was so easy to go down the gullet :). I will definitely take my hubby there soon!!

Oh Nola! Hello New Orleans and cocktails!!
After a jaunt in Calooh Calley, Jane G, Isabel F and myself were looking for another place to try. I had heard about this place upstairs from a bog-standard looking pub. So we wandered in and walked upstairs. I felt very much like I was trying to sneak into the place, use the free toilet and sneak out again without buying anything (that feeling by the way is one of slight guilt at being caught by beady-eyed barstaff).
But not this time barstaff! Upstairs is the coolest old style New Orleans cocktail bar this side of the Atlantic. Friday night, no reservation but we were seated by a charming gentlemen who recommended to us all his favourite drinks.

These drinks are STRONG! But strong in a good way. Strong in a 'I feel like I'm getting my money's worth with good quality alcohol' way. I felt a tad underdressed though, definitely a place where you'd feel more at ease in a shirt.

We only stopped for one, so I would most definitely HAVE to go back and sample more. But on our way out I was chatting with the knolwedgable barman and he gave me a lovely list of other places to try that he thought were good. So a quick shout-out here to Bar Bohemia, Satan's Whiskers and Zetter Townhouse. If you get my business, recommend Nola because they did you a good turn!

Onwards with our night, happier and more drunk

More New Orleans than New Orleans. Seriously. I've not been to a cocktail bar in Nawlins that actually lived up to the Great Gatsby dreams of this place. It's pretty incredible. The drinks are excellent, but minus one star simply because it's very very difficult to 1) get in on a thurs-sat night 2) get served 3) sit down. Like most elite London cocktail clubs the place is overrun by those who want to be seen -- but the bartenders generally keep it real. The cocktail hostesses are a bit aloof but overall the place recreates the vibe of a 1920s speakeasy all too well. Definitely worth a visit. Dress to impress!

New Orleans, Louisiana.

Think moody mardi gras; blues, jazz, and having to let your eyes adjust to candle light. This place is kind of simultaneously hidden and not, you have to get through bedroom bar to get there, which can throw you off, but don't let it! You aren't being sent up the stairs to some odd drug den in the toilets, I promise you.
I'd seen it on a list of places to go in London, so it was kind of a realised, semi-educated stumbling upon, and I'm so glad we did. Thankfully, it missed the hipster notice of the area, and has done it's own thing.
Hurricanes (even super strong nuclear ones), Sazeracs, and a cocktail list of classics and twists, we played about ordering for each other, and getting amazing stuff every time, though the bartenders know their stuff, so if you feel daunted, name a couple of things you like and they'll bring you something awesome. Also, if it's something that tickles your fancy, they do have a page for cigars.
Go early if you aren't a member, as if it's crowded you won;t get in, however, membership is free.
I'd recommend this place for catchups and dates, especially with either locals who are shocked to hear about the place, or out of towners, knowing your stuff is always great.

Wow. I was beginning to think the speakeasy theme had been done so many ways it'd be hard for another to impress me. Then we found this place.

It turns the 'hidden in the dark depths of a basement' style on its head by being a hidden upstairs bar for once (phone reception win!), accessed via a plain wooden staircase from Bedroom Bar that has you convinced there's nothing at the top. Keep going though because you'll eventually reach a gorgeously relaxed spacious bar at the top, with classy leather booths and waistcoated waiters. My friend had reserved a booth for 5 but on a Tuesday evening there was really no need.

The clue is in the name, with NOLA being a common abbreviation for New Orleans, Louisiana - a fact that I seem to be the last person around to realise! Learn something new every day eh. The whole place is faithful to this theme though, and I was loving the blues and jazz playing in the background.

The cocktail menu takes it to another level, with Big Easy inspired (another nickname I learned!) classics such as the Hurricane and the Sazerac, and some with a more modern twist. It has a no-nonsense, serious drinking feel and was a treat to read. The drinks themselves were similarly no-nonsense, carefully made, and strong - I was very happy with my (panic) choice the Bourbon Street Blues. Ironically the friend that asked for the strongest drink on the menu was left disappointed as it tasted the weakest, so a place to be careful of such hidden dangers! There's plenty of options with the superstrong Wray & Nephew rum I've had err interesting experiences with in the past, whilst they're also happy if you go off menu. There was a page for cigars too, though I didn't spot the terrace where you'd smoke them this time.

The waiters were attentive in refilling water, though I'd hope so being the only table in there for the first 15 minutes! These guys do seem like real pros though - our server maintained the relaxed vibe and was comfortable answering questions about the drinks and making recommendations, so seemed to know his stuff really well.

Seductive, naughty and relaxed southern hospitality by the bucketload - I think I'm a little bit in love with you, Nola.

Fantastic place and bar. Great staff, great cocktails, a little balcony to smoke, super friendly and helpful staff. What else?