Guide by Vana

Where to drink in Shoreditch

6 places to drink in Shoreditch, each one on the Guide on merit.

1. 

   Black Rock

   Whisky bar

   A whisky bar built around an 18ft, 185-year-old oak trunk that ages cocktails through taps at its end. 300-plus whiskies sorted by flavour, not region. UK's Best Specialist Bar four years running.

   Skip the bottle list at first and ask the bar to pour you something from the tree.

2. 

   Chiave

   Music-first cocktail bar

   A split-personality bar with one foot in a polite cocktail room and one in an underground club. Come for the drink, stay for the speakers.

   Head downstairs for the music room and the proper sound system, not just the bar at street level.

3. 

   Kaso Rooftop Bar and Kitchen

   A seventh-floor rooftop bar atop One Hundred Shoreditch hotel with panoramic views over East London. Chef Ilknur Celik runs an Eastern Mediterranean menu of hot and cold mezze, including charred aubergine on tahini sauce. DJs play Friday and Saturday nights from 9pm.

4. 

   Little Fires

   Cocktail bar

   A moody Oaxacan mezcal bar with drinks from a World 50 Best team.

   Eat upstairs first, then drop down to the basement Listening Lounge once it gets going.

5. 

   Lounge Bohemia

   Cocktail bar

   A Czech-inspired, 1960s-style cocktail lounge beneath a Shoreditch kebab shop.

   Booking only, by phone.

6. 

   Waltz

   Japanese cocktail bar

   A 28-seat, no-signage Japanese cocktail hideaway from an ex-Kwant bartender, rated among the best cocktail bars in Britain. The impress-a-date room.

   Bar seats are walk-in only and groups of four can book a table. Ask for the Ginza Martini.