The previous occupants of this semi-secret cellar beneath a kebab shop came and went faster than you can say “Hackney hipster”. Remodelled, but still raw and edgy with rockin’ beats and a pinball
machine to boot, this Tarantino-esque booze bunker is the brainchild of two chums along with a bar honcho whose passion is mezcal. Distilled from wild or organically farmed maguey (agave) plants,
this smoky sibling of tequila has a committed following – even if it has yet to achieve mainstream critical mass. Discover over 20 of the best here, including the Oaxaca Valley’s mighty Real Minero
range – complex, rewarding Mexicans that are far removed from the worm-infested horrors of your worst nightmare. Purists sip theirs straight, but the spirit also finds its way into Manhattans, Old
Fashioneds and other suitable cocktail styles. Meanwhile, craft beers and ciders appease the naysayers.