London Black Book

Everyone remember the article on Pizza East? At the end black book revealed there would be a cocktail bar in the basement, given time. This has now come to fruition and we have Concrete. Another exclusive from the team. 

The building in which Pizza East is located, the old Tea Building in Shoreditch is a massive venue. In the upstairs restaurant there is room for 180 diners and they have now opened up the basement, incarnated as Concrete Bar. This is just opened and has been serving for a few weeks. Only open Thursday, Friday and Saturday it is a fledgling bar on Shoreditch high st. 

Anthony Bado is the Head Barman and has devised a menu true to Pizza East’s italian theme. A selection of Italian wines is accompanied by Prosecco, Champagne Peroni. Highlights of the wine menu  include Cline Viognier at under £30 a bottle. But what people come for is the cocktails, 7 on the menu ranging from Italian classics such as Bellini and Negroni and 5 house original devised by Anthony. The East Side Fizz made of Gin, Maraschino, Mint, lemon sugar and soda is the best for me. For something a little shorter there is Arrancha Mechanica (Clockwork Orange) consisting of White Rum, Aperol, lime and sugar and served in a Martini glass. 

An Adriatic consists of Gin, Amaro Montenegro (if you haven’t tried it, DO) and Maraschino served with a twist of lemon. Experienced bar staff will make most classics you ask of them and if you ask for Head Barman Anthony Bado to make it, just mention londonblackbook said you make a great Aviation, then you will be in for a real treat. A list of 3 inventive shots on the menu (Chalk, Concrete and Bones) can be ordered individually or in any multitude of combinations in 6, 12 and 24 ‘sticks’ at £24, £42 and £80 respectively. All the shots are dangerously drinkable and you can get through a few sticks before you know what’s hit you.  

The drinks are excellent. The in-house originals are the perfect balance of refreshment, bite and flavor. The decor is odd……all concrete (alluding to the name) and exposed plywood/chipboard seating. Minimalism is the theme and think industrial, bare, harsh and a working bar. A live DJ is in attendance every night but you get the feeling there needs to be some softening of the space for the bar to really take off. 

It is big and with the minimalist design it feels big, even when busy it is cold. A great space for a private party for 100-180 and Concrete is available for private hire. Just contact Pizza East on 0207 729 1888 or reception@pizzaeast.com. 

For the quality of the drinks definitely worth a trip, all the more so if you are in the restaurant and fancy a cocktail after. The decor is not quite there yet but we are banking on this to change, looking for good drinks in Shoreditch on Thursday/Friday/Saturday then give Concrete a taste. 6-1 on a Thursday, 6-2 Friday and Saturday. Another bar to sample offering something slightly different on an East night out.

~ by londonblackbook on December 13, 2009.

Posted in Eating and drinking
Tags: Bar, Cocktail Bar, Cocktails, Cocktails Shoreditch, Concrete, Date place, Drinking London, Italian drinks, Italian restaurant, Pizza East, Shoreditch, Soho House