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Little Bat

Bars, Modern European·
££££
·
Bronze Award
·

SquareMeal Review of Little Bat

Bronze Award

Islington’s Little Bat may be much younger than its Shoreditch sibling Callooh Callay, but with both a restaurant and bar under one roof, it shows just as much promise.

A small, 24-cover restaurant was added in 2019 alongside the original cocktail bar. The new dining room takes up residence in what used to be known as the back lounge and showcases new twists on modern European classics.

Crisp pieces of fried chicken teamed with pickled cabbage and perfectly spiced hot sauce got our meal off to a good start. To follow, a rich and filling pappardelle with melt-in-the-mouth slow-cooked beef ragu topped with generous amounts of Old Winchester cheese was the best thing we ate. Aberdeen Angus onglet was also cooked just-so, although a lot for just one portion (not a problem if you’re hungry).

To finish, a dark chocolate delice with a refreshing and light passionfruit parfait, raspberries and walnuts made for an attractive balance of sweet and tangy while a selection of cheeses with a sweet flapjack complemented each other well.

The best cocktail we tried was the alluringly named Night of Passion. The sweet concoction mixes oaky bourbon with sugary gingerbread syrup and a tangy squeeze of lemon – a surprisingly good match for the menu’s savoury dishes.

Other cocktails you might expect to find include well-made renditions of familiar serves such as Espresso Martini, Russian Spring Punch and Piña Colada (including a non-alcoholic version) alongside re-discovered classics such as the Blood & Sand, which mixes together Scotch whisky, Cherry Heering liqueur, Belsazar vermouth and orange.

Friendly and knowledgeable staff, a quirky, cosy setting and hearty, warming food made for an all-round good experience that lives up to the hype that Callooh Callay has generated for itself. Islingtonians no longer need to head down the Northern Line to find a decent cocktail.

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Good to know

Average Price
££££ - Under £30
Cuisines
Bars, Modern European
Ambience
Cool, Dark and moody, Fun, Lively, Quirky
Food Occasions
Brunch, Dinner
Special Features
Vegetarian options
Perfect for
Birthdays, Dates
Food Hygiene Rating

About

From the people behind Callooh Callay, the award-winning Shoreditch cocktail bar, comes Little Bat. Inspired by Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Little Bat is the new neighbourhood go-to for an ice cold martini and indulgent small plates.

Situated in the heart of Islington, Little Bat is a modern cocktail bar with rattan furnishings, leather booths and hanging plants. Founded by Richard Wynne, the drinks menu offers both traditional recipes as well as new creations, including devil’s water made with four types of whisky. Fan favourites like spicy margaritas and palomas are popular and their martinis are particularly well-reviewed. If cocktails aren’t your thing, they have a comprehensive, global wine list to cater to all palates. The staff here are friendly and knowledgeable so don’t be afraid to ask for a recommendation or try something new!

James Cochran has devised the menu having left The Brave earlier this year. As with the wine, the food offering is globally-inspired using produce from the British Isles. The selection is considered and concise, with bold, rich flavours that stand up against the cocktails. There’s toasted sourdough with whipped marmite, Carlingford oysters with braesola xo sauce, crab tartlet with tomato and James’ signature buttermilk fried chicken with scotch bonnet jam, corn nuts and coriander. For dessert, there’s a chocolate mousse with cherry sorbet and white chocolate.

The late-night venue also has a semi private back lounge and a non-traditional wedding offering for those looking for a unique, laid-back atmosphere. On a more casual note, Little Bat regularly hosts events such as bottomless brunch, live music, quiz nights and sports showings. For a killer cocktail, some succulent fried chicken and a genuinely good time, Little Bat is sure-fire winner.

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Location

54 Islington Park Street, Islington, London, N1 1PX

020 7359 6070 020 7359 6070

Website

Opening Times

All day
Mon Closed
Tue 17:00-23:00
Wed 17:00-23:00
Thu 17:00-00:00
Fri 17:00-01:00
Sat 11:00-01:00
Sun 11:00-17:00

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020 7359 6070 020 7359 6070

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