Address

129 City Road, Shoreditch, EC1V 1JB
Shoreditch, London

Best For

Live jazz, theatrical cocktails, 1920s atmosphere

Opening Hours

Mon–Wed18:00–01:00 Thu–Fri18:00–02:00 Sat19:00–03:00 Sun19:00–01:00

Reservations

Strongly recommended

Dress Code

Smart casual. No sportswear.

Price Range

$$$ · Cocktails from £15

1920s Live Jazz Speakeasy Shoreditch Theatrical

Plan Your Visit

Reserve a Table Get Weekly Picks

Reserve via the website. Walk-in queue often two hours on weekends.

Our Take

London's Most Theatrical 1920s Bar

Nightjar opened in 2010 and has been routinely ranked among the world top 50 since. The basement room is committed to the 1920s aesthetic — tin-tile ceiling, leather banquettes, dim warm lighting, live jazz nightly. The cocktail menu is divided into eras: pre-prohibition, prohibition, post-war, and modern.

The drinks are theatrical and precise. Cocktails arrive in custom glassware, sometimes with theatrical effects — smoke, fresh herbs, dehydrated fruit garnishes. Over 50 cocktails on the menu, all built with serious technique.

The crowd is mid-thirties professionals and special-occasion couples. The jazz starts at 21:00 most nights. Pair with Discount Suit Company nearby for an East London speakeasy evening.

What to Order

Prohibition Era Cocktail

From the era-themed menu. Specifications taken from period bartending books. Always fascinating.

Nightjar Old Fashioned

Aged bourbon, smoked sugar, multiple bitters. Theatrical in presentation.

1860s Champagne Cocktail

Pre-prohibition specification. Champagne, brandy, sugar, multiple bitters. Surprisingly complex.

Modern Era Sour

From the contemporary section. Always seasonal, always thoughtful.