This February Horatio Street Social Club will launch in the basement of The Nelson’s Head, bringing a new cocktail bar to East London with neighbourhood vibes. The first venue from Simon Thompson and Jake O’Brien Murphy, who previously worked together at award-winning cocktail bar Callooh Callay, they’ll be bringing their unique blend of warm, relaxed hospitality and innovative cocktails to provide a new drinking den for cocktail lovers and locals. Horatio Street Social Club is the first ‘Social Club’ bar to launch, with plans for further venues throughout the UK later this year.
Hidden beneath The Nelson’s Head, Horatio Street Social Club will be an intimate space where guests can perch on stools at the bar or sit at one of the low-slung tables. Low lighting, artwork on the walls and a playlist of eclectic, upbeat tunes will create a relaxed and informal atmosphere for a good night out.
The ethos of Horatio Street Social Club is underpinned by Simon and Jake’s belief that a night out is an important part of anyone’s social life. This means an emphasis on hospitality and making people feel welcome, as well as a cocktail menu which is innovative with world class drinks that are still accessible in flavour and price.
A menu of House Cocktails will showcase the team’s creativity, with regular changes and additions. Alongside this will be a list of Classic Cocktails, beer and a wine list by War on Terroir with something for all occasions – from easy drinking lager through to fizz for toasting a special occasion. The look of the physical menu will change monthly with new artwork inspired by a randomly picked theme.
Examples of House Cocktails priced at around £9 will include:
Naïve Melody – Campari, White Wine, Kola Nut Cordial
Inspired by the Bicicletta, an Italian café cocktail which takes its name from the idea that after one drink a bicycle could still be safely cycled home – the HSSC take on it is the perfect substitute for a Negroni or spritz. Exploring two of the world’s favourite drinks – Coca Cola and the Americano serve – the result is a cocktail with the aromatic notes of Bergamot and Kola, along with a moreish bitterness.
Garfield’s Funeral – Lot 40, Angel Share Syrup, Black Trumpet Mushroom Tincture
This cocktail is a celebration of the Old Fashioned. Angels Share Syrup takes its name from the evaporation of alcohol into the air during the whisky maturation process, and has been designed to be reminiscent of the dark, woody, musty smell of a barrel house – providing a strong backbone to the drink. The Black Trumpet Mushroom Tincture adds a note of umami. The drink takes its name from the first ever recorded reference to
the Old Fashioned cocktail at President Garfield’s funeral where whisky cocktails were reportedly served at a party that lasted five days.
Dirty Faces – Beeswax, Calvados, Gin, Apricot, Verjus
A modern take on the forgotten classic, Angel Face, by Harry Craddock for the Savoy Cocktail Book in 1930. Setting out to make the best possible version of the cocktail, the result is a deeply honeyed drink with stone fruit complexity – perfect sipped in place of a Martini or Manhattan.
Kill the Cook – Tequila, Red Pepper, Urfa, Red Iron, Lime
A drink that looks at tequila and agave, and the identity that comes with being a truly Mexican spirit. Traditional Mexican cooking methods are used alongside a look at the terroir of the Agave growing in Mexico. The Red Iron Solution is a nod to the mineralogy of Mexican red sand, whilst the red pepper and Urfa unite to create a sweet, smoky vegetal drink which is reminiscent of a Tommy’s Margarita.
Horatio Street Social Club is in soft launch from the beginning of February, and officially open from 15th February
Horatio Street Social Club
The Nelson’s Head
32 Horatio Street
London
E2 7SB
http://www.ClubsAreSocial.com
Instagram: @HoratioStreetSocialClub
Facebook: HoratioStreetSocialClub
Reservations: bookings@clubsaresocial.com
Open: 6pm – Midnight, Tuesday – Sunday