Shoreditch Sipping
Hunting for a small and intimate joint serving rather good cocktails on Shoreditch High Street? Look no more
Review by Rupert Watkins
Despite my current job, I still feel I am just not cool enough for the Shoreditch / Hoxton thing; I struggle to release my inner hipster. That said, news the Cocktail Trading Company (CTC) had recently opened a second establishment on Shoreditch’s Bethnel Green Road was enough for me to throw my concerns aside and leap to North London.
It’s a small, quirkily decorated place. Seating about 30 (comfortably) means there’s an intimate vibe. Clever use of mirrors has made the small room more airy and along with subdued wood panelling the bar is furnished with celebrity and political caricatures and framed front covers of Private Eye.
The bar also has a small distillery (awaiting final paperwork before it goes into operation) where a variety of flavoured spirits and infusions will be created. The bar stuff are fun and courteous and the bar itself groaning with all the necessary ingredients for a fun snifter or two. Their actual book of house speciality drinks is quite small – ranging from the traditional (my Gimlet was excellent) to more adventurous creations with cream, egg white and exotically decorated glasses. Something for all.
Should the menu not provide alcoholic inspiration, the barmen can knock up your heart’s desire anyway. Asking for a Negroni, my bar chap quizzed me about my gin preferences and talked through the options he had before a rather satisfying final drink was set before me. With good cocktails under 10 quid, CTC is sure to be a Shoreditch success. I may have to brush up on my hipster and go again….. 
No reservations required.
Enquiries: CTC Brick Road, 68 Bethnal Green Road, London EC1 6GQ / 0207 5276097 / www.thecocktailtradingco.co.uk/