Parasol is a late-night cocktail bar and nightclub from the team behind Discount Suit Company, The Sun Tavern and The Umbrella Workshop. Located at 36 Stoke Newington Road in Dalston, Parasol occupies the iconic subterranean space formerly home to The Nest, reimagined as a vibrant, atmospheric venue where cocktails, music and community intersect. With DJs spinning esoteric selections inspired by the hedonistic energy of early 1980s New York disco late into the night, Parasol is open Thursday to Saturday, until 2 am.
The concept is led by long-time friends and industry figures Andy Kerr of The Umbrella Project and Tom Gibson, founder of Ruby’s in Stoke Newington, Corrochio’s, and North London pub The Bluecoats. Together, their collaboration at Parasol brings decades of creative hospitality experience, blending deep local roots with a shared passion for music, atmosphere and thoughtful mixology.
The design centres on warm, earthy tones and tactile textures, drawing inspiration from Mexico and Morocco. Materials are creatively repurposed throughout: the bar top and lighting are handcrafted from malting tiles reclaimed from the whisky-making process, while seating is built from hand-split oak. Handmade lighting sourced globally, ranging from paper lampshades to Galician sconces, casts an intimate, inviting glow across the space.
Adding a new layer of vibrancy to the interior, owner Andy Kerr has teamed up with sustainable designer Alexandra Mann, and together, they have handpicked vintage 1950s and 1960s silk scarves, which Mann has sewn into bespoke curtains. The result is a colourful, textural installation that pops against the subtle backdrop, bringing a sense of mystique and movement to the room.
Parasol’s cocktail menu is a continuation of what The Umbrella Project does best, featuring inventive riffs on classic cocktails developed in their lab at The Umbrella Workshop. Highlights include the June Bug, a refreshing Highball combining Takamaka Overproof Rum, Yellow Chartreuse, Pineapple, Banana, Melon, Coconut and Lime; and the El Diablo Guapo, blending Quiquiriqui Mezcal with Palo Santo, Tonka Bean, Blackberry and Umbrella London Ginger Beer for a smoky, spicy twist.
The Rude Cosmo offers a bold reworking of the classic with Ocho Blanco Tequila, Savoia Orancio, Lingonberry, Lemon Verbena and Lime, while the French Martini features Remy Martin VSOP Cognac, Monbazillac, Raspberry Eau de Vie and Pineapple. For something more refined, the Umbrella Vesper pairs Grey Goose Vodka, Boatyard Gin, Kina L’Aero and Vichy Catalan in a crisp mini martini.
The wider house cocktail list continues to explore adventurous flavour combinations, from the tropical heat of Yuk Fu, El Gobernador Pisco, Green Chartreuse, Lemongrass, Pandan, Coconut, Chilli and Lime, to the bold savoury-sweet complexity of Korean Jesus, featuring tequila, mezcal, plum soju, gochujang, sesame, coriander, ginger and honey. Space Coyote, with Dewars 12-year-old Scotch, Cap Corse Blanc, lacto mango and pimento, rounds out the selection.
Since September, Parasol has also been hosting Paradiso, a monthly Friday night in collaboration with Grey Goose Vodka. Leaning heavily into the venue’s 80s New York disco influences, the series features guest DJs such as Alexis Taylor (Hot Chip), Olugbenga (Metronomy), Angel Arutura and Princess Julia, alongside an exclusive Grey Goose cocktail menu designed to bring an added sense of decadence to the night.
Music remains central to Parasol’s identity, with a strong programme of guest DJ residencies and one-off events. Recent highlights include a takeover from FOCO, Barcelona’s acclaimed cocktail bar and creative studio, who brought their distinctive approach to flavour, music and design to Dalston for one night only, reinforcing Parasol’s position as a hub for global bar culture and cross-scene collaboration.
A new monthly night, Floor Memories, launches on Thursday 26th February, specialising in 80s groovers and deep cuts. Curated by selectors Maxime Leroy and Lachie McTaggart, the night runs from 8pm-2am with free entry, offering the perfect setting to sip, chat, listen, and hit the dancefloor when the feeling takes hold.
Parasol also partners with Provisions Wine & Cheese to offer an extensive wine list and bar snack selection. Curated by Hugo Meyer Esquerré, the list champions small independent producers from Italy and France, with a focus on low-intervention, organic and biodynamic vineyards. Standouts include the zingy Sextant Bourgogne Aligoté, the juicy Clos des Grillons Calcaire, pét-nats such as Bomba from Mas des Agrunelles, and expressive orange wines like Sciare Vive by Vigneti Vecchio in Sicily.
- Address: 36 Stoke Newington Road, London, N16 7XJ
- Opening hours: Thursday – Saturday : 5pm-2am
- Website: parasol-london.co.uk
- Instagram: @parasolbar