NT's by Night Tales – bar review

NT's bar, from the team behind Night Tales, is good enough that you should travel to London Fields just to try it – David Ellis just wishes they had a lift

Loft life: NT's is relaxed east London hangout, and well worth seeking out

David Ellis @dvh_ellis27 November 2015

What they say

The gang behind pop-up favourite Night Tales have launched NT’s as their first permanent bar, and they're hoping it'll become a neighbourhood favourite.

What we say: NT’s takes a little finding, but it’s worth the detective work and justifies the three hundred flights of stairs you’ll have to tackle just to get to this east London loft, where you’re greeted by low seats, neon signs and glorious smells coming from Morty & Bob’s half-open kitchen. Give in to the temptation: the toasties are a must, but pig out and have both the padron peppers and parmesan truffle fries with aioli as well. They’re too good to feel guilty about.

Good for: A few small tables make it ideal for a relaxed date – your call whether views of trains pulling in and out of London Fields is romantic or not – but there’s plenty of larger tables that would suit a big group of friends. But bring people you like, NT's too good to waste on a polite drink with the office.

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Order: While classics aren’t listed on the menu, the talented staff will mix anything you can think of with such skill it’s worth ordering your favourite to see their take on it. They’ve a huge but well considered whisk(e)y offering, and don’t let their premium spirits down with bad mixers, juices or liqueurs. Pleasing, too, to see Regal Rogue as one of their go-to vermouths. The menu will change regularly, but here’s hoping the Chasing Tales (mezcal, aperol, Maraschino liqueur, ginger beer, lemon, £9), all zesty freshness with a smoky backbone, makes the cut, alongside their take on a Negroni (macino rosso, Bathtub navy gin, Campari, Aperol, £8.50) and an Old Fashioned (bourbon cut with pink peppercorn syrup, Cynar and dry vermouth, £9.50). Just bear in mind that unless you like a very chilly nose, you’ll probably want to ask them to go easy on the ice.

By the way: They’re launching a series of music nights soon and this loft is the perfect place to party. Just be sure to eat plenty: they make drinks properly (read: appropriately strong).