Nightjar Shoreditch
London's most authentic speakeasy: Prohibition-era cocktails, live jazz nightly, and vintage spirits in a candlelit basement.
A hidden speakeasy bar in Shoreditch serving meticulously crafted cocktails inspired by Prohibition-era recipes. Located down an unmarked staircase on City Road, Nightjar transports guests to the 1920s with candlelit tables, Art Deco furnishings, vintage spirits dating to the 19th century, and live jazz performances every night. Reservations essential; cover charge applies after 8pm for live music.
A brief summary to Nightjar Shoreditch
- 129 City Rd, London, EC1V 1JB, GB
- Visit website
- Duration: 2 to 3.5 hours
- Luxury
-
Indoor
- Mobile reception: 4 out of 5
- Monday 6 pm-12:30 am
- Tuesday 6 pm-12:30 am
- Wednesday 6 pm-1 am
- Thursday 6 pm-1 am
- Friday 6 pm-2 am
- Saturday 6 pm-2 am
- Sunday 6 pm-12:30 am
Local tips
- Book at least one week in advance; walk-ins are extremely limited and the venue frequently reaches capacity. Cancellation fees apply, so confirm your plans before reserving.
- Arrive early if you have a reservation to enjoy the pre-6:30pm quieter period before live music begins. After 8pm, a cover charge applies for the live jazz performances.
- Ask the bartender for recommendations rather than ordering blindly from the menu; many cocktails feature obscure ingredients. Request the deck of cards inscribed with the full cocktail menu to study options before ordering.
- Plan for at least 2–3 hours to fully experience the atmosphere, live music, and multiple cocktails. The intimate setting rewards lingering rather than rushing.
- The entrance is deliberately unmarked and easy to miss; it's located between a chicken shop and a café on City Road. Look for the discreet door and descend the darkened staircase.
For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you
- Restrooms
- Drink Options
- Food Options
- Seating Areas
Nightjar Shoreditch location weather suitability
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Any Weather
Discover more about Nightjar Shoreditch
A Portal to the Roaring Twenties
Nightjar is a basement speakeasy that achieves what few bars manage: complete immersion into another era. Descending an unmarked staircase flanked by an unassuming chicken shop and café, you pass through a porthole door where muffled jazz seeps through, setting the tone for the illicit atmosphere that defined Prohibition-era drinking establishments. Once inside, candlelit tables, rose-tinted mirrors, wood-panelled walls, and vintage Art Deco liquor cabinets create an environment where time seems to have stopped somewhere between 1920 and 1930. The owners have meticulously curated the interior over years, acquiring authentic vintage furniture, photographs, and mirrors to build layers of texture and authenticity that transform the space into a genuine escape from modern London.The Art and Science of Cocktail Mastery
At the heart of Nightjar lies an award-winning cocktail program that treats each drink as a theatrical work of art. The menu is organized chronologically across three distinct periods: Pre-Prohibition (1600–1918), Prohibition (1918–1932), and Post-War (1940–2000), with signature cocktails added seasonally. Cocktails range from fruity, creamy pre-Prohibition recipes like the Filipino—featuring bathtub gin, fresh snake fruit, and coconut smoke—to the short, punchy drinks favoured during the dry years, such as the Imperial Fizz served with its own pedestal. Each cocktail arrives in unique glassware with elaborate garnishes, the result of a daily daytime prep shift that manages an extensive infusion program transforming base spirits. Priced between £12–16 per drink, the cocktails represent remarkable value for London's premium cocktail scene, though portions are deliberately modest to allow guests to explore the full menu.An Unrivalled Spirits Collection
Nightjar houses the largest absinthe collection in the United Kingdom and maintains a range of vintage spirits authentically dating to the 19th century. These rare bottles serve both practical and thematic purposes: they anchor the bar's historical authenticity while offering guests genuinely unusual flavour experiences unavailable elsewhere. The commitment to vintage spirits reflects the bar's philosophy that every element—from the glassware to the garnish to the spirit itself—should enhance the overall experience and transport visitors to a specific moment in drinking history.Live Music Every Evening
Live jazz and blues performances occur nightly from 6:30pm, with additional late sets on weekends, featuring talented musicians performing vintage popular music from the 1920s to 1950s. The stage and bar are positioned at opposite ends of the room, ensuring every seat offers clear sightlines to the performers. A cover charge of £5–10 per person applies after 8pm for live music, a premium justified by the quality of performances and the rarity of nightly live music in London's bar scene. The intimate scale—the venue is intentionally not oversized—creates an atmosphere where conversation and music coexist rather than compete, though the acoustic environment can be intense during peak sets.Reservation-Only Service and Hospitality Philosophy
Nightjar operates exclusively on a reservation basis with a £20 cancellation fee for tables of two, a policy designed to maintain the intimate atmosphere and prevent overcrowding. The bar is 100% seated with table service, eliminating the chaos of standing-room venues where guests block sightlines or struggle to find space. Staff are trained around a company ethos based on courtesy and kindness, with structures of positive reinforcement ensuring consistent, knowledgeable service. Bartenders possess thorough knowledge of the cocktail menu and can guide guests through unfamiliar ingredients and flavour profiles, making the experience accessible even to those unfamiliar with classic cocktail culture.The Speakeasy Experience Perfected
While numerous bars market themselves as speakeasies, Nightjar represents the genuine article—the template against which others are measured. The unmarked entrance, the descent into candlelit darkness, the muffled sound of jazz before entry, the vintage furnishings, the historically accurate cocktails, and the nightly live performances combine to create an experience that feels neither contrived nor theatrical, but rather like stepping into a preserved moment of drinking history. This authenticity, combined with meticulous attention to craft and hospitality, explains why Nightjar consistently ranks among London's finest bars and why advance booking remains essential year-round.Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
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For the vibe & atmosphere seeker
- Romantic
- Unique
- Entertaining
- Lively
For the design and aesthetic lover
- Vintage Styles
- Art Deco Styles
- Retro Vibes
For the architecture buff
- Historic
- Art & Design
For the view chaser and sunset hunter
- Iconic Views
For the social media creator & influencer
- Instagrammable
- Aesthetic Corners
- Architectural Shots
For the kind of experience you’re after
- Cultural Heritage
- Photowalk
For how adventurous you want the journey to be
- Easy Access
Location Audience
- Couple Friendly
- Solo Friendly
- Adults Only
