You Call The Shots is a 'good-time bar' in Hackney’s Morning Lane created by the team behind The Plough and The Prince Arthur. It is unapologetically playful while retaining a sophisticated edge. The name refers to its spirit of culinary experimentation and wit, forged through rotating chef residencies that transform both food and mood with each turn.
Inside, the atmosphere feels intimate yet electric. A cosy bar area with vintage-inspired tiles and muted lighting gives way to tables where floral china and texture-rich décor make evenings feel simultaneously stylish and cheeky. In the loos, punk poet John Cooper Clarke’s “I Wanna Be Yours” is played on loop, creating the kind of mischievous detail that becomes part of the memory.
The menu evolves regularly as guest chefs step in, bringing dishes that merge fine dining ambition with bar-friendly ease. Recent offerings have included mini devilled crab doughnuts, confit potato stacks crowned with basil pistou, prawn guanciale and a hybrid cheeseburger dog served in a glossy brioche roll with crispy shallots, pickles and melting cheese. The small plates are self-consciously fun yet executed with care, such as the pistou-topped potatoes which offer crunch and herb lift in equal measure.
Drinks are curated to match the boldness of the food. High-end cocktails riff on Only Fools and Horses with names like Morning Stallion, alongside 1980s classics such as the Japanese Slipper, served without pretension. A carefully selected wine list is overseen by an in-house sommelier, offering both approachable and surprising bottles. Craft beers also feature, ensuring every guest finds a companion to their plate of doughnuts or mega-burger hot dog.
Service is warm and spirited. Bartenders draw from their personalities to guide guests through the menu rather than push one-size-fits-all recommendations. Staff often remember returning faces and their favourite tipples or pop-up chefs, offering gentle suggestions that feel personal rather than rehearsed.
In essence, You Call The Shots is a place built on joyful curation and culinary creativity. It feels like a night out among friends who know how to surprise you, with a bar at its heart that excels in atmosphere, food and drinks in equal measure.