There is a nice mix of specialities among May’s new bars, from sake to cocktails, natural wine to English fizz. London has much to offer drinkers thanks to a crop of new venues: a luxury listening bar at the OWO on Whitehall, a basement bar in Soho and something fresh from some established east-London experimentalists. Over the water, Leroy’s in Dublin has spawned a wine bar in Blackrock, while in Melbourne, there’s a chic bar and restaurant to keep citizens happy as autumn approaches.
Read on to discover the most exciting new bars to visit this May.
THE BEST NEW BARS TO VISIT IN MAY 2024
Castlerose
Melbourne, Australia
Cocktails and wine jostle for attention at this new wine bar in the south of Melbourne. Castlerose is Clementine’s basement counterpart, bringing a dark cosiness in perfect time to for cooler nights Down Under. There’s food to complement the drinks – expect European dishes and charcuterie as well as wines by the bottle and glass. The wine list also looks to Europe, with everything from German Pinot Noir to names from Burgundy and Champagne. For something a little stronger, interwar and mid-century classics like Vespers and house sours should slake your thirst.
Open now, castlerose.com.au
Kioku Bar
London, UK
Sake’s the specialty at this new 25-seat bar inside the Old War Office on Whitehall, so much so that it boasts Europe’s largest sake list. Complementing Kioku by Endo, Endo Kazutoshi’s sushi restaurant that covers a section of the building’s roof, the bar is tucked away inside. For those not settling in for the tasting menu at the restaurant, there’s a 110-bottle list available. As per any good listening bar – a typical style of venue in Japan – guests can choose what records to play while sipping cocktails or sake.
Open now; Kioku by Endo opens 15 May, kiokubyendo.com
September
Dublin, Ireland
Leroy’s began life as a truck that sold gourmet deli sandwiches and coffee but now, in addition, it has a permanent and more ambitious home in the form of a wine bar called September in Blackrock. Take a seat on one of the Bentwood bistro chairs, pick up the wine list and you’ll find a number of French and German bottles and natural wines (Sylvain Pataille, La Justice) to go with Tartine organic sourdough, Corndale Farm salami and other small plates. Its location is stunning, with views from the dinky dining room across the sea but also near enough the DART that you can catch the last train home – or into town.
Open now, instagram.com/September. Dublin
Rucola at The Conduit
London, UK
A welcome addition to London’s roster of rooftops, The Conduit has finally opened its outdoor space to the public. Rucola offers drinks and casual, ‘Brooklyn-vibe’ dining (it was founded in New York) but its major USP is a zero-waste approach to service: the menu is plant-driven and there’s a focus on low-carbon emission ingredients and sustainability, which extends to the wine list – a mix of classic and natural choices. The frequently changing cocktail list features a range of seasonal syrups, tinctures and garnishes. Halfway between Seven Dials and Covent Garden, this little enclave is sure to become a staple for Londoners and visitors alike.
Open now, theconduit.com
Under the Counter
London, UK
Just as it says on the tin, the new cocktail bar Under The Counter in Soho promises to carry the night with all the colour and character of the restaurant above. The restaurant upstairs is the second branch of The Counter, following on from the first in Notting Hill, serving mezze and food from the grill under the influence of the Med and Levant. With just 30 seats, Under The Counter bills itself as an intimate ‘listening bar’ in which Mediterranean and Turkish-inspired drinks and bar snacks will be served. So, whether it’s a cocktail or a Greek wine by the glass, there’s plenty to wash down food fresh off the ocakbasi.
Open 14 May, thecounterlondon.com
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Pomus
Margate, UK
In the heart of the Margate’s old town, Pomus will be all things to Margate locals: pantry shop, restaurant and wine bar. The venue is passionate about its setting in Kent (‘the Garden of England’) and aims to run a low-waste menu with seasonal small plates, some of which incorporate a seafood selection that celebrates the local catch. The wine list has a patriotic feel – perfect for showcasing the work of Kent and Sussex vineyards and winemakers – but there’s room on the menu for an affordable house Spritz too.
Open now, pomus.co.uk
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Warehaus
London, UK
From the geniuses behind 69 Colebrooke Row and A Bar With Shapes For A Name comes Warehaus. Expect colourful cocktails in primary colours, with Instagrammable Bauhaus-inspired ice cubes and barware that lets the drinks do the talking. A few doors up from Shapes, taking over the former Untitled Bar from the same group, Warehaus will be for production by day, switching to service from 5pm. The menu remains a surprise but at least the prices are fixed – and at £10 or less, who could refuse.
Opens 12 May, instagram.com/bauhaus_warehaus
