Nightjar
Quick info
About Nightjar
Nightjar is a speakeasy-style subterranean cocktail bar on City Rd in London, pairing a live jazz and blues setup with cocktails and rare spirits. The drink program leans into specialist pours, with the Absinthe Cabinet and Yorkshire Punch sitting alongside a Cider among the listed offerings. The room's underground format and live music schedule give it a tavern-like focus on evening drinks and social gatherings, while the rare-spirits angle supports a more considered approach to the cocktail list.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- ParkingFree of charge street parking · Paid parking lot · Difficult to find a space
Menu & Prices
91 dishes · mains £3–360
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention live music, speakeasy styled basement, creative cocktails and theatrical cocktails.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention live music, speakeasy styled basement, creative cocktails and theatrical cocktails.
Customer Review Summary
Nightjar draws reviewers in with its live jazz and blues, which most name as the standout feature alongside the cocktails. The music is repeatedly described as wonderful and a highlight of the evening, with several noting that part of the bill goes toward paying the musicians. Cocktails are frequently singled out as creative, perfectly mixed, and delicious, with some reviewers mentioning the theatrical presentation and the sandwiches as a satisfying bite. A few reviewers praise the attentive, professional staff, with one waiter earning repeated recognition for his recommendations and care after a spill. The basement speakeasy setting earns praise for its cozy, charming atmosphere. However, a recurring complaint surfaces around service and value: one reviewer found the waitstaff rude and pushy during a timed reservation, another called the cocktails ordinary and overpriced, and a third labeled the place a tourist trap, noting small tables and cocktails that rely on flashy garnishes. Reservations carry a fee of around £20, which at least one reviewer felt was unnecessary. Several suggest booking ahead or visiting on a quieter night, as the small space fills up quickly.
Customer Review Summary
Nightjar draws reviewers in with its live jazz and blues, which most name as the standout feature alongside the cocktails. The music is repeatedly described as wonderful and a highlight of the evening, with several noting that part of the bill goes toward paying the musicians. Cocktails are frequently singled out as creative, perfectly mixed, and delicious, with some reviewers mentioning the theatrical presentation and the sandwiches as a satisfying bite. A few reviewers praise the attentive, professional staff, with one waiter earning repeated recognition for his recommendations and care after a spill. The basement speakeasy setting earns praise for its cozy, charming atmosphere. However, a recurring complaint surfaces around service and value: one reviewer found the waitstaff rude and pushy during a timed reservation, another called the cocktails ordinary and overpriced, and a third labeled the place a tourist trap, noting small tables and cocktails that rely on flashy garnishes. Reservations carry a fee of around £20, which at least one reviewer felt was unnecessary. Several suggest booking ahead or visiting on a quieter night, as the small space fills up quickly.
Featured reviews
- swissguyflying
“Great place with good cocktails, great atmosphere with wonderful live music and nice staff. Highly recommend to try their cocktails and enjoy the live music.”
- Eddie Nieves
“The quintessenial London speakeasy. Perfect blend of aesthetic, slightly sophisticated charm, food and of course COCKTAILS! In addition to classics and their interpretations there are experiments on the menu, clearly laid out for your palate. Excellent service to boot. If you're hungry and/or need some food to absorb that second cocktail 😬 the sandwiches are delicious.”
- Jane Renner
“We had such a fun evening with the most delicious cocktails and fabulous music. The complete star of the show was our waiter Sebastiano - what a legend! He recommended the very best cocktails to us, was so attentive despite the club being very busy and he was so professional and helpful. I slipped on a cocktail that I myself had foolishly spilt on the floor and he took such good care of me and also found us another table when we wanted to stay a bit longer. Thank you Sebastiano you made our birthday night!”
- Merve Yagmur
“Just an ordinary cocktail bar. Dani Milano was amazing but the rest is overrated. We paid 20 £ for reservation, but I don't think it is necessary. You can drink an extra cocktail at somewhere else with that money. Because there was nothing special about cocktails, just fancy glasses. There are bunch of places like that in London. I don't think that i go that place again. It is just a turist trap place. Small tables and normal cocktails they just put some cotton candy and say it starts from 14-15£”
- Simone Artuso
“From the moment you descend the stairs into Nightjar, you know the next few hours will be special. World-class cocktails, awesome service!! Highly recommended!!”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Highlights
“Speakeasy-style subterranean bar with live jazz and blues, for cocktails and rare spirits.”
- Serves great cocktails
- Has live music
- Has live performances
- Popular for good for solo dining
Amenities
- Has Wi-Fi
- Free of charge street parking
- Accepts reservations
- Serves dine-in
- Serves food at bar
- Serves beer
Show more amenities
- Serves food
- Has free water refills
- Serves spirits
- Has table service
- Has live music
- Good for solo dining
- Atmosphere· 4
- Cosy
- Romantic
- Trendy
- Upmarket
- Planning· 2
- Reservations required
- Usually has a wait
- Offerings· 3
- Serves alcohol
- Serves cocktails
- Serves wine
- Parking· 2
- Paid parking lot
- Difficult to find a space
- Highlights· 2
- Serves great cocktails
- Has live performances
- Facilities· 1
- Has toilet
- Crowd· 2
- Good for groups
- Popular with tourists
Location
How Nightjar compares to nearby cocktail bars
- Nightjar · This shop4.62,746 reviews
Mentioned in reviews: live music, speakeasy styled basement, creative cocktails
- AMERICAN BAR4.61,088 reviews1.8 mi
Mentioned in reviews: live piano music, hanky panky, tea o'clock
- 1,268 reviews2.9 mi
Mentioned in reviews: martini cart, afternoon tea, Faraway Collins
Nightjar This shop | AMERICAN BAR | The Connaught Bar | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.6(2,746) | 4.6(1,088) | 4.6(1,268) | |
| Price | £20–60 | £20–70 | £60+ |
| Distance | — | 1.8 mi | 2.9 mi |
| Open today |
How this listing is sourced
Hours, contact details, and amenities are sourced from publicly available business data and re-checked regularly. Listings are ranked independently — no paid placement.