Callooh Callay, Shoreditch, London

Unit 2, 65 Rivington Street, London EC2A 3A
0207 739 4781
www.calloohcallaybar.com

Tucked away on a side street in the heart of Shoreditch, Callooh Callay comes galumphing into East London’s renowned bar scene.  Inspired by the nonsensical poem ‘Jabberwocky’ by Lewis Carroll, Callooh Callay originally featured as part of his novel ‘Through the Looking-Glass and What Alice Found There (1871)’.  True to its namesake Callooh Callay takes its guests on a journey into a fun and eclectic world.

Callooh Callay  is a mad hatter’s assortment of top-flight London bar talent from director Richard Wynne (former manager of Loungelover), expert events coordinator Kate Crutchley and dashing design duo Dtwo, who loved the concept so much they invested a slither for themselves. Richard and Kate commented:  “We’ve finally fulfilled a lifetime dream of opening our own bar and after months of searching we immediately recognised Rivington Street’s potential. We wanted to create an original bar that offered great music and quality cocktails”.

A highly experienced team is led by master mixologist Sean Ware, winner of 42 Below Cocktail World Cup 2008 and previously of the now legendary LAB.  The extensive cocktail list reflects Sean’s classic style mixed in with a contemporary range inciting you to do like Alice and “Drink Me”.  The signature  ‘Mad Hatters Tiki Punchbowl’ is served in their exclusive gramophone punchbowl and is composed of Seven Tiki Rum, Crème de Peche, rhubarb and ginger juice with freshly squeezed lemon juice and plenty of Angostura and grapefruit bitters.

Food has a mad-hatter tea party feel served up by head chef, Marco Schnepf (Greenhouse, Smith’s of Smithfields and Gordon Ramsay’s Maze).  The focus is seasonal snacks and dishes made to share and taste from home–roasted macadamia nuts with rosemary, a selection of homemade breads to slow braised pork belly with creamy mash and apple, fish pot with fresh poached fish, vegetables and star anis or freshly made soup served in teapots.

As the designers of renowned venues such as Sosho, Idlewild, Ruby Lo, and Lena, Dtwo Design wanted to create a story book feel to the venue from the start of their guests’ first drink to the taxi home. The main bar’s ‘granny chic’ theme, with reclaimed parquet flooring that rises as a bar, the unusual symmetry and warped perspectives shape the large upholstered seating areas whilst original 1973 wrapping paper adorns the walls.

Hidden behind an old wardrobe is a honey-combed mirror lounge where things get curiouser and curiouser. A dainty chandelier is suspended by a 10-tonne crane; Astroturf rests in place of carpet; cassette tapes sit in for tiles; comfortable bath tubs pose as sofas and the DJ booth is reminiscent of Dell Boy’s cocktail bar.  A third room ‘the flockit room’, visible from the lounge floor, with jet-black flocked walls, its own bar, bar tender with a focus on rare spirits and original cocktails, it is the original ‘non-members only’ lounge.   Dtwo Design director, David Knight, commented: “we have tried to create an escape rather than just another generic bar.  The aim is to give it all a spin, upset the balance and regain the fun, frolics and mischievousness associated with a great bar”.

‘And, has thou slain the Jabberwock?

Come to my arms, my beamish boy!

O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!’

He chortled in his joy.

(taken from ‘Jabberwocky’, by Lewis Carroll)