It is fair to say that immersive cocktail experiences are becoming increasingly popular in big cities like London and when you’re wanting to have an evening out, whether this is dinner or a few drinks and cocktails, you will be spoilt for choice if you’re looking to go somewhere slightly different. However, not all immersive experiences in London are the same and as you may expect, some are much more unique, interactive and enjoyable than others.

When you’re wanting to immerse yourself in a different world for an hour or two then, arguably, there is no better place to go than the Alcotraz Cell Block Two One Two prison which is hidden behind unassuming shutters on London’s famous Brick Lane. Alcotraz really is more than just another immersive cocktail experience in London and here’s why;

You have to smuggle your own liquor past the warden 

Whilst Alcotraz could simply be described as another unique cocktail bar, the fact that you have to bring your own liquor with you makes it so much more exciting. Once you’re convicted, you’re taken into an immersive world of mischief as you’re instructed by a notorious bootlegging gang to smuggle in liquor which will then be used to make your bespoke cocktails.

You get to choose what you drink

This is prison, so there isn’t a set drinks menu and the “serving” mixologists will provide you with a range of cocktails that are based on the liquor that you bring with you and your tastes. You can smuggle a 70cl bottle of vodka, gin, rum, tequila or whisky, for example, whichever is your tipple of choice and if you come in groups, you can even smuggle a few different bottles too.

You will be given an inmate jumpsuit to wear 

Of course, you can’t go to prison without looking like an inmate, so before you enter Cell Block Two One Two you will be required to put on an orange inmates jumpsuit over your clothes to ensure that you’re easily identifiable to avoid escape until you’re released. You will then look the part of a convict as you spend your evening sipping cocktails.

You will sit in real prison cells 

You won’t just look the part, but you will also be taken into a realistic-looking old fashioned prison where you will spend your time in real metallic cells. Alcotraz really is a theatrical experience of the highest kind and it is more than just a themed cocktail bar. It combines the very best of immersive theatre with a world-class cocktail experience.

You have plenty of time to enjoy your surroundings 

So many immersive cocktail experiences are over just as you’re beginning to enjoy them, but when you visit Cell Block Two One Two, you will have plenty of time to enjoy your surroundings. All sentences last 1 hour 45 minutes and the working inmates will smuggle you approximately 4 rounds of drinks within your time in prison. So, you will definitely get your money’s worth.

You can privately hire the prison 

For bigger groups of up to 40 who are wanting to enjoy an immersive cocktail experience in London, you can even privately hire the whole prison. When doing so, our team of trained bootleggers can pre-arrange a secret stash of liquor hidden in your cells and our canteen can deliver food to your cells too. So, you can easily have an amazing time all together.

Booking an immersive cocktail experience in London 

Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, going on a hen or stag do, mixing things up for date night or just looking for something fun to do, being locked behind bars at Cell Block Two One Two will be a quirky yet brilliant night out. This prison is undeniably the perfect backdrop to enjoy a few cocktails and you can guarantee that you will have an incredible time. So, don’t waste your money on any other immersive cocktail experiences in London.

To find out more about visiting Alcotraz, be sure to explore our website today. You can easily book a cell at our unique cocktail bar in London via our website, but if you have any questions at all about this immersive experience before doing so, feel free to contact us and we will get back to you as soon as possible. We can assure you that you won’t regret choosing Alcotraz when you want an immersive cocktail experience in London.

Before last year, you might have been someone that was prone to partying and making the most of the London nightlife. However, this will not have been possible over the past twelve months, with all of your favourite bars and pubs having closed due to the lockdown restrictions. This does not necessarily mean that you will have had to stop having fun – it just means that you need to change your course of action. Here at Alcotraz, we are firmly of the belief that you should give online cocktail ordering online; if you need any convincing of this, take a look at our thoughts below.

Priced Reasonably

One of the main reasons that people cite when asked as to why it is that they have avoided using a cocktail delivery service, is in relation to the price. A popular misconception is that these pre-mixed drinks are extortionate from a price perspective – we are pleased to inform you that this could not be further from the truth. Whilst the overall costs might be slightly more than it would be if you were making the cocktail at home from scratch, the convenience that this offers you, and the time that it can save you, will certainly outweigh this negative.

Delicious Flavours

When you are attempting to follow a cocktail recipe in the comfort of your own home, you might find that the final outcome is a little further away from the taste that you would have enjoyed in a dedicated cocktail bar. As you would expect, this is because you do not have the equipment or knowledge that is possessed by seasoned mixologists. Should you want to make sure that your taste buds aren’t forced to endure a sub-par experience, it could be worthwhile looking into the possibility of buying expertly-crafted cocktails.

Quick And Convenient

Whilst you may not be adverse to the possibility of creating your own cocktail, the issue that might cause you the most bother is in relation to the sheer amount of time that you must spend making them. This can certainly ruin the relaxing atmosphere that you are trying to create in your home. The best possible solution to this is to buy the cocktails ready-made. From a convenience point of view, this is second-to-none, and not something that you will want to miss out on.

Greater Choice

As is to be expected, the most-prominent benefit associated with purchasing cocktails online is the different flavours available to you. For those of you that are sick-and-tired of drinking the same alcoholic beverages week-in, week-out, you might be open to the idea of mixing things up so-to-speak. During your research, you could find anything from award-winning Cosmopolitans to exciting and intriguing Espresso Martinis. Realistically, these are cocktails that you will not be able to replicate without the necessary training, hence why purchasing them in their final form can save you a significant amount of hassle.

Breaking Down Our Options

In traditional circumstances, Alcotraz is considered to be one of the leading themed bars in London; as you may have already deduced from our name, we have drawn inspiration from the American prison of the same name. Unfortunately, the nightlife industry has been adversely affected by the coronavirus pandemic; as such, we have sought to broaden our horizons. Now, we are pleased to be able to provide our customers with fantastic cocktails straight to their front doors – our costs are reasonable, meaning that you won’t have to worry about emptying your bank account. If you would like to learn a little more about the flavours that feature in our catalogue, you might like to complete and submit the enquiry form on our website.

When you decide to go on a night out, there is a key decision that you are faced with – namely, what you are going to drink throughout the evening. If you are thinking of sticking to traditional beverages, you could do a lot worse than beer or wine. However, some would argue that these are slightly boring. Instead, you might want to shake things up a little, and this is where cocktails enter into the picture. Below, courtesy of Alcotraz, you can find a list of the cocktails that could be to your liking.

Frozen Daiquiri

This is traditionally a drink that you would find on the beaches of exotic countries that are blessed with sunshine throughout the year. Having said that, in the past few years Frozen Daiquiris have begun to emerge as a firm favourite of cocktail bars in the UK – in particular, establishments in London are using them to create an immersive experience. Usually, you will find these flavoured in either mango or strawberry, and you can expect an overwhelming sweetness to roll over your tongue with each sip.

Mojito

If you are planning to go out during the day, and are searching for a cocktail that complements the summer sunshine perfectly, your search for a solution has come to an end. Mojitos, in case you weren’t already aware, are unique cocktails that originate from Cuba. The active ingredient in this drink is rum, and this offers a little bit of a bite. This is balanced excellently by the mint leaves which act as a garnish, ensuring that the alcohol does not overwhelm you. Traditionally a long drink, this is a cocktail that you should savour whilst relaxing and soaking up the rays.

Espresso Martini

By far-and-away the newest innovation to feature on this list, Espresso Martinis have proven to be a firm favourite since their introduction to the nightlife community. The characteristics that can be used to easily identify this particular drink are the dark black hue, as well as the overwhelming bitterness which comes from the use of coffee. Should you be searching for a beverage that perks you up and injects you with a burst of energy, you will be hard-pressed to find a more suitable drink than this.

Pimms

For one reason or another, most people in the UK do not consider Pimms to be a cocktail – this is despite the fact that the main component of the drink is an alcoholic liquor. When you are planning your next cocktail experience in London, we suggest that you take a look at the weather. Should the temperature be rather high, this might be an excellent candidate for your drink of choice. The fruity flavours that this possesses ensures that your day will not get out of hand, whilst you can still enjoy a light buzz.

Alcotraz – Who Are We?

If any of the drinks mentioned above appeals to you, and you would subsequently be interested in trying them within a themed cocktail bar, we are pleased to inform you that Alcotraz is here to help. Based in East London, we possess master mixologists that can help us to create a fantastic experience for our clients. We are one of the most exciting themed establishments in the capital – when you walk through our doors, your expectations for a night-out will forever be changed. Due to the niche nature of our business, we would love to hear from you if you have questions-or-queries about our services. The best way to reach us is to visit the contact segment of our website, and follow the instructions provided.

Usually, if a stag or hen weekend results in someone being put in a prison cell then something has gone horribly wrong, but this isn’t the case when you come to Alcotraz. If you’re wanting to have an amazing experience that is memorable for all of the right reasons, then heading to Brighton for your stag or hen weekend and coming to Alcotraz is a must.

It goes without saying that it can be incredibly difficult to plan something that is unique when you’re arranging a Brighton stag weekend or hen weekend, and instead of a standard bar crawl or an afternoon tea, booking an immersive cocktail experience will mean your stag or hen party is never forgotten. If you’re wondering what Alcotraz is all about or how you arrange the perfect stag or hen do in Brighton, keep reading today.

Stag and hen party packages 

Like when you’re planning any other activity in Brighton for your hen or stag group, booking in advance is required at Alcotraz. We have a number of different stag and hen party packages in Brighton which are all specifically tailored for groups who are wanting to celebrate wed-lock by being locked-up.

There are two main ways of booking Alcotraz for your stag or hen group;

Groups under 30

For smaller stag and hen parties, you can simply book via our website by clicking on the ‘book now’ button. The booking process is incredibly simple and you won’t struggle to book the perfect cell for all of your convicts. There are a few different prison cells to choose from, but our biggest cells are designed for up to six guests. However, if there are more than six of you, we will do our best to seat your group in adjacent or opposite cells.

Of course, if you’d prefer to, you can simply contact our team and tell them all about your hen or stag do in Brighton. We will help you plan the perfect trip to Alcotraz.

Groups over 30 

For bigger hen and stag parties, we recommend that you privately hire the whole venue for your visit. This really is the ultimate lock-in and it gives you access to all of the different cells in the secret basement prison. Private hire in Brighton is suitable for up to 40 inmates and the prison is available for hire requests every day.

When exclusively hiring the venue, our team can pre-arrange a secret stash of liquor hidden in your cells and our canteen can deliver food to your cells too. Get in touch with us today to discuss your private hire needs for a truly unforgettable event.

BYOB

It is important to note that Alcotraz works slightly differently to any other ‘cocktail bar’ you might’ve been to in the past and we operate on a BYOB (bring your own booze) basis. So, you will be instructed by notorious bootleggers to smuggle in liquor to be used to make delicious, bespoke cocktails.

The cocktails that are created for your stag or hen group will differ depending on the liquor that you bring with you, and your tastes, so try to bring a few variations within your group. Generally speaking, 70cl bottles of spirits are the easiest to smuggle in and get past the warden, and whether you choose to bring vodka, gin, rum, tequila or whisky, you will get to enjoy a number of delicious cocktails in your cells.

Organising a stag or hen do in Brighton 

It is fair to say that Alcotraz is the perfect backdrop to enjoy a quirky night out within an intimate, yet epic environment and if you’re in charge of planning a hen or stag do in Brighton, then for once, you will actually be in the good books if you get the whole group locked-up. Instead of booking a stereotypical hen or stag do activity, mix things up a little bit and give the bride or groom an incredible and unforgettable experience.

To find out more about Alcotraz, you can visit the FAQ page on our website which will probably have all of the answers to your questions or you can get in touch with our team instead. We will gladly provide you with any additional information that you may require about booking a prison cell or two for your stag or hen party in Brighton. We look forward to hearing from you.

In truth, there are various types of immersive experiences which can be had when going to a bar. Some places, for instance, look to try and draw focus to their particularly niche setting; others might wish to make their menu the main attraction. As a themed bar which has found much success over the past few years, Alcotraz is pleased to be able to provide you with a short guide regarding the types of features that you should look out for.

Overarching Theme

The first thing that you need to try and determine is whether or not they have a theme that they have based their establishment on. With the spike in popularity that escape rooms and puzzle-solving activities have received in the past few years, this is certainly something which a bar could use to their advantage. In the case of Alcotraz, we have sought to try and take inspiration from the notorious prohibition era that America went through in the middle of the twentieth century.

Intensive Characters

What truly makes a themed bar successful is the way in which their staff interact with customers. In order for you to completely commit to the immersive experience, each and every moment of your journey should be enhanced by the actions of those around you. Actors and bar tenders, for instance, should try to use language that their characters would have been known for. They may be slightly aggressive and hostile, or look to adopt a little more of a reserved approach. In either of these instances, the results will certainly be to your liking.

Innovative Drinks

A theme should not only have an obvious effect on the surroundings that you are subjected to – it should also be evident in the drinks that you are offered. It could be that, instead of classic glasses, you are instead provided with tumblers which are era-appropriate. These are designed to try and help you embrace the unfamiliar territory that you are in. This can be aided by the fact that you might be given an outfit at the beginning of your experience, as this will give you a totally new outlook on your time there.

Special Occasions

It is important to keep in mind that the key to a well-run establishment is the ability to adapt to different scenarios. Case-and-point, limited-time events go a long way in securing new customers. For those of you that value adaptability, this is not something that you want to overlook. Should you, for example, be trying to arrange a top-tier stag or hen do, it is worth checking to see if they can accommodate you, and provide a special twist on proceedings.

Start Your Journey Today

For those of you that are sick-and-tired of visiting the same boring pubs and drinking establishments, and are trying to broaden their horizons, Alcotraz or Moonshine Saloon might offer the alternative that you have been searching high-and-low for. We specialise in getting our customers out of their comfort zone, and providing them with a creative immersive experience which is entirely different from that which they would find in the real world.

The theme of our bar, which you may have already deduced, revolves around the American prison with which we share a similar name with. As bootleggers, you will be able to see what life was like behind bars. If this sounds like something that you can get on board with, it is easier than ever to book a slot – all you need to do is follow the instructions on our website’s contact page, and we will be sure to get back to you as quickly as possible. If you would prefer to speak to the Warden, please call 02031090488.

During the covid-19 lockdowns, nightlife establishments that you may have enjoyed, such as Moonshine Saloon and Alcotraz, were no longer open, so rather than spending your weekends socialising with friends whilst enjoying a beverage or two, you are instead confined to your home. However, this did not necessarily mean that you could not enjoy yourself. We, for instance, took to offering a delivery service, so that you can sample our cocktails at home. Below, you can find examples of some of our most sought-after bottles.

Margarita

Whilst certainly not for the fainthearted, there is no denying that in the right environment, a margarita can go down a treat. What makes this markedly different from the other drinks on this list is the way that salt is incorporated. Traditionally, you will find this around the rim of the glass – the reason for this is that it is meant to enhance and accentuate the punch which stems from the tequila. Lime juice also has a major part of play, as this can help you to savour the drink over a longer period of time.

Espresso Martini

For many years, martinis have been one of the go-to cocktails for people on a night out. However, recently, mixologists have looked to tweak the formula, in order to make a completely different concoction. It is from this that the espresso martini came to be. The coffee liquor is easily the most noticeable deviation from the original recipe, and the reason for this is that it offers a smoky after-taste which many people have said is unlike anything else they have ever tried.

Old Fashioned

An old fashioned is a cocktail which certainly does not receive the level of praise or appreciation that it deserves – much of this is down to the fact that its primary ingredient is whisky, which is an acquired taste. Extremely simple to make, but hard to master, this is something that will leave you wanting more after a sip or two. The sugar and bitters which are used are meant to try and dull the intensity of the spirit, therefore allowing you to experiment with something that you may have previously been uninterested in.

Cosmopolitan

In case you didn’t already know, cosmopolitans are by far-and-away the most popular cocktail consumed within the UK. Rather strong, its two main components are vodka and triple sec, meaning that it has quite a bite to it. However, this is balanced out well by the abundance of cranberry juice which is used during the mixing phase. For those of you that would like a more authentic experience, after ordering we suggest serving with a small lime wedge, as the tartness is a welcome addition to the overall flavour.

Want our help?

If you are someone that has tried to follow cocktail recipes at home, but have been unable to replicate your favourite drinks, you may think that turning to a cocktail delivery service is the solution. By doing so, you eliminate the hassle and stress associated with having to mix cocktails by yourself. Instead, you can enjoy delicious pre-mixed bottles that will leave you in a world of pleasure. Should this be something that you would be interested in, enlisting the help of Alcotraz might be just the solution that you have been looking for.

The well-crafted cocktails that we have in our collection are first-class in terms of quality, and have proven themselves to be incredibly popular. We would love to hear from you if you are entertaining the idea of placing an order. Why not complete and submit the enquiry form on our website today, and take the first step towards having our wonderful tipples at your property?

 

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