Opened by former Noma Mexico chef Santiago Lastra, KOL is a Mexican fine dining restaurant based in the heart of London's Marylebone. However, the lower ground floor of the restaurant also plays host to a standalone Mexican cocktail bar or mezcaleria which stays open late serving an array of Mexican drinks alongside a short menu of snacks known as antojitos.
Catering both to people who want a night cap or two after a meal in the main restaurant, and to those in the area simply looking for a drink and a few snacks, KOL Mezcaleria's trendy decor ensures that the bar oozes class. Stripped back stone walls are lined with every Mexican spirit you can imagine while various succulents are dotted around giving the bar an almost rustic feel. Counter seats up at the bar allow you to watch the talented bar staff as they prepare your drinks.
KOL Mezcaleria's bar is overseen by ex-Savoy bartender Maxim Schulte, who has designed a cocktail menu blending traditional Mexican spirits with seasonal British ingredients. Expect drinks on the menu such as a rose hip and apple highball (El Destilado crabapple Oaxaca rum, Somerset 10yr cider brandy, rose hip cordial), and a sea buckthorn and corn old fashioned (Michter’s bourbon, Abasolo corn whisky, sea buckthorn reduction, bitters). There is also a dedicated 'agave' menu featuring a range of different mezcals and tequilas.
To accompany the drinks at KOL Mezcaleria Lastra has designed a series of Mexican-inspired small nibbles, or antojitos, which all showcase the best of British produce. These include a mushroom adobados taco, a traditional pambazo, which sees a brioche bun stuffed with potato, chorizo and crème fraiche, and and octopus and kombucha tiradito. For those looking for something sweet, you can try Lastra's take on a churro featuring a Soconusco chocolate and mezcal mousse.