Hipster
Ninety Eight
London-City and East London
May 11, 2018
Based on Shoreditch’s Curtain Road, in a part of town not exactly starved for hip bars, Ninety Eight still stands out. This basement bar, located beneath the historic Morrell House, has the feeling of someone’s very elegant living room. There’s a baby grand in one corner, an array of faded chaise-lounges, vintage lamps and a striking, if no longer functioning, water feature. The whole place has a time-warp, country house feel, theatrical and bohemian in atmosphere. The drinks are creative and occasionally obscure; the coffee-infused Strawberry Bean is complex concoction while the Lavender and Blueberry Mojito is deliciously refreshing. There are very often music and poetry readings in the candle-lit salon, the staff are friendly and clearly enjoy what they do and the crowd are, not to put too fine a point on it, very Shoreditch.
