Nightjar, East London’s iconic speakeasy and one of my FAV bars in the world, has a bold new cocktail menu , Recalling, celebrating the evolution of mixology through the ages.
The menu is presented as a cocktail anthology, divided into four distinct eras: The Old School, Mid-Century Mixology, Modern Classics, and Nightjar Signatures. The final section pays homage to the bar’s most beloved creations from 2010 to 2025, in celebration of Nightjar Shoreditch’s 15th anniversary.
The 24 expertly crafted, signature cocktails are the product of a truly collaborative effort across the entire Nightjar team, showcasing ingredients, flavours, and techniques emblematic of its time, from the dazzling golden age cocktails of the early 1900s to the beloved classics of today. For the first time ever, the menu will be beautifully bound, with each cocktail occupying a page to itself alongside a stunning illustration and a detailed history. Guests are invited on a unique and immersive flavour journey through the rich history of cocktail culture, alongside a substantial selection of non-alcoholic signatures, the unmatched House Martinis and House Old-Fashioned and an indulgent menu of Vintage Cocktails celebrating some of the finest antique spirits.
The first section, The Old School, pays tribute to the golden age of cocktails, spanning 1899 to 1933, a transformative era that gave rise to some of the world’s most iconic serves. Opening the menu is a bright and fruit-forward take on the legendary Singapore Sling, blending, Ford’s Gin, Mount Gay Black Barrel rum, Fen Chiew Baijiu, jasmine & yuzu, Bénédictine, pineapple juice, and cherry beer, alongside the Harry Johnson-inspired Horse’s Neck with a Kick, a delicate, floral highball of Glenfiddich 15 scotch whisky, Belle de Brillet pear liquor, shiso infusion, almond & chardonnay eau de vie, fig leaves and ginger ale. Other cocktails in this section include a rich and boozy El Presidente, oaky and herbaceous Creole Cocktail, a sweet & rich Charlie Chaplin with notes of stone fruit and a bitter, umami Tia Juano enriched with smoky mezcal.
The next section, Mid Century Mixology, shines a light on the exotic and eclectic post-prohibition era (1934 to 1980). This section tells a story of escapism, resilience, and creative revival, an age of both classic refinement and playful experimentation, featuring many of Nightjar’s most iconic serves. The star of Nightjar’s first menu, and a staple ever since, Toronto is a robust and smoky Old Fashioned made since its inception with Woodford Reserve Bourbon, finessed with coffee & roasted pecan maple syrup, Fernet Branca and garnished with orange blossom candyfloss. It features alongside London Mule, an aromatic blend of Tanqueray London Dry gin, Amaro Santoni, Kaveri Organic Ginger Liqueur, galangal beer, bee pollen and fresh lime juice that’s been around almost as long. They are joined by Zombie, made with a carefully refined blend of five rums, barrel aged with refermented fresh pineapple juice for a delightful tartness, a delicate Champagne Bellini inspired by the Harry’s Bar Venetian classic, a complex, saline-forward Paloma and a surprisingly elaborate interpretation of the cult classic Harvey Wallbanger.
Modern Classics celebrates the cocktail renaissance from 1981 to 2010, driven by pioneering bartenders such as Dick Bradsell, Salvatore Calabrese and Dale DeGroff and continued by visionaries like Sam Ross and Audrey Saunders who returned to the fundamentals and redefined the way we drink today. Reimagined 80’s classics such as the Bramble and Breakfast Martini are joined by the early noughties’ Old Cuban and Penicillin. The era of Nightjar’s launch is represented by an harmonious homage to Joaquin Simo’s Naked & Famous – Volcan Blanco tequila, olive oil fat wash, Montelobos Mezcal Espadin, Aperol, Nightjar ‘Chartreuse’, L’Aperitivo Nonino Botanical Drink and fresh lime juice as well as a playful take on the Italian dessert Affogato, indulgently elevated with homemade coffee ice cream.
The final section, Nightjar Classics, honours 15 years of boundary-pushing creativity from the bar’s visionary team. Known for their signature vessels and immersive cocktails, each drink in this section reflects Nightjar’s distinctive narrative and inventive spirit. The launch era of Marian Beke, whose genius brought Nightjar to international prominence is celebrated with the inaugural Name of the Samurai, featuring Nikka Whisky from the Barrel, Kay Sake Junmai Daiginjo, Akashi-Tai Umeshu, a rice popcorn tea infusion, rice mirin, galangal liqueur, and Japanese blossom smoke, alongside Inca and Beyond the Sea, created in 2013, the year Nightjar was crowned No.2 on the list of The World’s 50 Best Bars. The reign of Martina Breznanova is represented by Breakfast of Champions, a masterpiece of experiential drinking, followed by Tony Pescatori’s captivating Pantapal, made with The Botanist Gin, fresh guava, Nightjar Kalamansi Liqueur and fresh lime juice gently veiled in coconut smoke. The current era is exemplified by Pan Con Tomate, Sebastiano Cristofanon’s profound ode to the tomato – Ketel One vodka, BBQ tomato, cherry tomato water and basil & mascarpone fat wash.
Roisin Stimpson and Edmund Weil, co-founders of Nightjar, say: “This menu feels incredibly special. Not only does it pay tribute to cocktail culture and the legendary figures who have shaped it, but it also reflects Nightjar’s signature storytelling and creative approach to drinks. As we celebrate 15 years of Nightjar, we’re proud to have offered our guests a truly unique cocktail experience every time they walk through our doors. We’re excited to share this new chapter with our friends, family, and loyal guests and we can’t wait to see what the future holds.”
Reservations can be made via the Nightjar’s website barnightjar.com/shoreditch-reservations