A new bar in London’s Trendiest district has everything... except alcohol
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The last time dry bars could be described as being in vogue, we had a Queen Empress on the throne and men still wore stove pipe hats. And yet, bang in the middle of London’s most trendy borough, a new one is set to open this weekend.
Called Redemption, it harks back to the (in)glorious days of the late 19th century, when The British Workmen’s Public Houses served the God-fearing, flat-cap-wearers of the north aerated milk and tea, instead of beer and wine.
Given that this latest incarnation is housed on top of Trendy Netil House in London Fields – not a place known as a magnet for the devout – it is unsurprisingly devoid of an overhanging temperance message.
As its owner, Catherine Salway, makes clear – she only wants it to be a temple of fun and good health. “People are generally getting healthier and yet when we socialise, we have this habit of drinking too much. I think lots of Londoners feel alcohol is omnipresent and regret that, as it doesn’t sit well with their otherwise healthy lifestyles.”
Certainly she appears to have a point. Dry bars are, somewhat inconceivably, a growing trend. Most are run by addiction-recovery charities and are features of the nightlife in Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Liverpool (the latter’s bar, The Brink, had a brief few minutes of fame when it created a smoothie for the Duchess of Cambridge to imbibe).
At Netil House, however, it will be a smarter affair, with mocktails, an outdoor terrace and DJs throughout the summer. Whether an alcohol-free negroni will prove enough of an attraction for heavy-drinking east Londoners remains to be seen – but if it means at least a few people avoid a Saturday morning hangover, it can’t be that bad a thing.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments