Nestled below a trendy Turkish restaurant, this bar offers vinyl tunes, inventive cocktails, and an effortlessly cool vibe.
Situated beneath Selin Kiazim’s Turkish restaurant Leydi, Black Lacquer is far too cool for its City location – but that’s precisely what makes it so enticing. Located just 10 minutes from my front door, it’s a bar I’ll frequent far more than I probably should, immersing myself in its vinyl soundtrack, even if I can’t quite place the artist spinning.
The concept? A listening bar that blends music and cocktails, and it’s a hit with the locals. Black Lacquer sits beneath the Hyde London City hotel, making it a sought-after spot for after-work drinks. When colleagues ask, “Fancy a drink?” my answer will inevitably be, “Sure, let’s head to Black Lacquer.”
Their house lager is served in schooners at a respectable 3.8%, and while I’ll grumble about the government’s push for smaller pints, I’ll happily accept this trendy serving style in a small, music-focused bar. The word “schooner” may have been tainted by TikTok influencers on Lime bikes, but here, it works.
For a cocktail, try the “you say tomato,” a £12.50 drink that plays with the martini format, incorporating pickle brine for a twist. The pickle trend is one I’m on board with—especially if it keeps celebrities like Dua Lipa coming in for a glass. The Japanese-inspired drinks menu is divided into four sections: certified bangers, remixes, long players, and mixtapes. The £5/£7 ‘snappy’ cocktails, designed for a quick sip, are particularly memorable.
One stand-out is the sake bob-omb: a frozen shot of sake paired with pale ale and togarashi, a drink made for fun and ideal with a light snack. I’m keen to try the fish finger bao, prawn tempura, and chips with curry sauce on my next visit. Black Lacquer is where interesting drinks, Japanese ingredients, and good music collide. It’s arguably too cool for the area, but I’m happy to make the trip. After all, it’s worth getting there, even if it means seeing a TikTok influencer on a Lime bike along the way.