London Black Book

So as promised by her in the Vertigo 42 review we are going to have a look over what many believe to be the best new cocktail bar in London. To be honest this is already a favourite and has been visited many times and is a great location for a first date, a drink with mates or a Thursday/new Friday. The only prerequisites being you have a taste for cocktails.

Based on Rivington street this is a little turn off Old St and Curtain Rd. With other great places near by such as bar room bar, Mother Bar and Jaguar Shoes it is in an area of high competition. However Callooh Callay draws in the punters throughout the week and is packed by the weekend.

I have been here for a quick one on Monday/Tuesday and it is very quiet, a great time to do some menu sampling.

The name is taken from ‘Jabberwocky’, a true poem of nonsense from the beloved Lewis Carroll.

‘Twas brillig, and the slithy toves

Did gyre and gimble in the wabe;
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.

“Beware the Jabberwock, my son!
The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!
Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun
The frumious Bandersnatch!”

He took his vorpal sword in hand:
Long time the manxome foe he sought—
So rested he by the Tumtum tree,
And stood awhile in thought.

And as in uffish thought he stood,
The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame,
Came whiffling through the tulgey wood,
And burbled as it came!

One, two! One, two! and through and through
The vorpal blade went snicker-snack!
He left it dead, and with its head
He went galumphing back.

“And hast thou slain the Jabberwock?
Come to my arms, my beamish boy!
O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!”
He chortled in his joy.

‘Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe;
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.

The menu continues the theme of Carroll and is intertwined with riddles, puzzles and an excellent cocktail list. From old classics to new twists there really is something for all. Guys cocktails of hard liquor and more Girlified Champagne and fruit filled alternatives.

Inside the decor is just as good as all the other aspects of Callooh. There are parts of the wall covered with old cassettes and albums that you can peruse while in the toilet (always nice to have something to read). When you enter the bar you are greeted with a small room with a range of comfy seating and funky lighting.

The Gramophone is of particular interest – check it out on the menu…

At the back of the bar is a wardrobe that you walk through to take you to the cassette laden toilets and another room. Upstairs there is also a third room available for private hire. The bar extends much further then its meek exterior suggests. The staff are knowledgeable and i talked to one member of the bar staff for a long time about cocktails and she made all that were asked and all were not off the menu. A very friendly and relaxed atmosphere throughout the week and it really picks up at the weekend.

Till 11pm through the week and 1am at weekends this bar is a great spot for some very good drinks and to sit and be removed from the real world for a few hours….