Shoreditch has built a reputation as one of London’s most exciting nightlife destinations, with everything from hidden speakeasies to rooftop terraces and creative cocktail spots. But if you’re looking for something beyond a traditional evening out, the area is also home to some of the UK’s most immersive drinking experiences.
Shoreditch has eight cocktail bars worth building a night around, split into two camps. Three are fully immersive: Alcotraz’s prison, and Avora and Hexmoor’s fantasy worlds, where the story shapes the drink as much as the spirit does. The other five are the area’s best classic bars, doing exceptional work without a theme in sight.Here’s where to go, whichever kind of night you’re after.
One of Alcotraz’s biggest talking points is its unique BYOB concept. Instead of ordering from a menu, you’ll bring your own bottle of liquor, which is secretly smuggled into the prison before talented mixologists transform it into a selection of bespoke cocktails tailored to your chosen spirit.
If you’re looking for more than a standard night out, it’s easy to see why Alcotraz has become one of the most talked-about interactive bars London has to offer. It’s immersive theatre, interactive storytelling and exceptional cocktails rolled into one unforgettable experience.
1. Alcotraz
Alcotraz has been running its prison-cocktail experience in Shoreditch since 2017, and it’s still the only bar in the area where you smuggle in the liquor yourself. Cell Block Two-One-Two has welcomed thousands of guests through its prison gates, earning a reputation as one of London’s leading immersive cocktail experiences.
Rather than visiting a conventional Shoreditch cocktail bar, you’ll step inside a fully themed prison, suit up in an orange jumpsuit and become an inmate attempting to smuggle liquor past the Warden.
The experience is driven by a cast of talented actors who remain in character throughout, encouraging guests to interact with corrupt guards, fellow prisoners and the infamous bootlegging operation. Every decision adds to the story, making each visit feel slightly different.
2. Avora
Just around the corner from Alcotraz, Avora offers an entirely different immersive experience.
Guests leave London behind and step into a mysterious fantasy world filled with glowing landscapes, unusual characters and beautifully crafted cocktails that become part of the unfolding story. Rather than simply watching events unfold, you’ll explore the environment, complete interactive moments and discover the secrets hidden within this extraordinary world.
For anyone looking for imaginative themed bars London is known for, Avora delivers an experience that’s unlike anything else in Shoreditch.
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