CLOSED! This winter, Londoners are invited to experience the city’s first prison-inspired cocktail bar, Alcotraz, having launched on 28th September for three months. This experiential drinking pop-up takes guests, or more appropriately, inmates to an exciting world of mischief, as they smuggle-in liquor to be used to make delicious, bespoke cocktails.
Taking place behind unassuming shutters of 212 Brick Lane, Alcotraz is inspired by America’s infamous prison which housed some of the world’s most difficult and dangerous felons during its operation. Alcotraz, which can accommodate 30 inmates at a time, will be serving cocktails behind bars using liquor that visiting convicts will have smuggled in past the guards- a knowing nod to the legendary stories that surround the notorious prison.
All convicted criminals, dressed in their orange prison jumpsuits, get their inmate numbers upon arrival, before experiencing the bar behind bars, learning the secret codes of smuggling contraband past prison security.
Once inside, guests are able to sit either in cells or in the visitation area and enjoy bespoke, personalised cocktails made by an expert mixologist, and served in discreet containers to avoid getting caught by the warden. The concept aims to bring something completely new to a bar environment, with drinks crafted without rules and menus to follow, from highly experimental mixologists.
Alcotraz is the brainchild of Sam Shearman, founder of Inventive Productions, who says, “Whilst being a hugely fun experience, this new pop up will allow visitors to experience a slice of Alcatraz Penitentiary only seen by most in fiction”. As the London drinking and dining scene continuously offers up exciting new concepts, this experiential pop-up will take inventiveness to a whole new level, offering guests a truly unique and memorable experience that can’t be found anywhere else.
Shutters have opened this winter for all pending prisoners who get summoned to Alcotraz upon booking. Convict customers enter lockup with their personal secret stash of spirits to do their allotted time behind bars before their release.
Wednesday from 6:15-10pm
Thursday-Saturday from 5-11pm
Or through Design My Night
Address: Alcotraz Penitentiary, 212 Brick Lane, London, E1 6SA Instagram: @alcotrazlondon
Twitter: @AlcotrazLondon
Facebook: @AlcotrazLondon