Behind This Wall — Restaurant in London

I've now had the pleasure of a couple of fantastic evenings at BTW. They serve such delicious cocktails whether you choose a weekly special, an expertly made classic, or a bespoke cocktail based on a description of what you fancy. The servers are so helpful in helping pick something that will hit just the spot as well as being really friendly and warm. They have some great house made elements and we had lots of fun swapping garnishes, the picked pineapple in particular really caught our attention.

On my most recent visit in a party of 6 our drinks ranged from £9.5 for cocktails made with non-alcoholic spirits, to £16 for a Piña Colada with a specialty spiced rum which we were warned would be more expensive. All of the drinks I personally had were £12.50. I also really appreciated that at the end we could easily split the bill by which drinks we had rather than having to do the maths ourselves.

I've been on a Thursday and Friday night and on both occasions it wasn't too busy to feel really intimate and cosy within your own party. I was slightly more comfortable in the larger booth for 6 than the bench seating for 2 but something tells me I won't struggle to get people together for a booking of that size again soon. The space is absolutely beautiful and the lighting design in particular they've really aced. The music, design, and staff come together to make an absolutely delicious atmosphere.

We were given some popcorn for the table which we very happily picked at while we put our Yard Sale order together. I would absolutely recommend putting in a Yard Sale order because not only is it very tasty, the cocktails do hit very quickly if you're not well fed.

We left feeling so well taken care of (they even offered us birthday candles for my friend's cake which I hadn't thought to bring) and having had just the loveliest evening. I cannot recommend this fantastic spot highly enough.

As one other tiny note for those who would like to do the same, on my first visit I was allowed to bring my small, well...

We tried to change our reservation and they were unwilling to be flexible, no cocktail menu... so only ordered to standard cocktails, nothing special. Hope to support a local place but doesn't really go out of their way to make you want to come back.

REPLY TO THE OWNER:

Unfortunately I am unable to post a reply to your response so I will have to edit my initial review.

For some context, I made the booking the night before, as friends informed me they were coming to east london. Unfortunately the next day they received bad news regarding a fertility test and decided not to come.

On learning the sad news that morning, I tried to cancel the reservation online, however the system didn't allow it as you have a 24 cancellation policy - understandable, but given that I had only made the reservation maybe 12 hours before, it was fustrating to not be able to exit this booking.

Similarly, when I made the reservation, there was availability all evening which gives me the impression you were not fully booked. Thus I'm doubtful there would have been other patrons who could have booked during that time frame. I understand the loss of revenue argument but it doesn't strike me that people were queuing up out the door. Even then, I allowed walk ins to join me so it wasn't like people were being turned away.

To charge 1 person £60 for a reservation that was made less than 24 hours before the booking and no way of cancelling given then circumstances I feel is quite unfair outcome for me.

Up to you how you want to run your business, I think I talk for everyone where we have had situations where they've had to cancel a booking and most places are accommodating.

I work in sales and deals fall through last minute for variety of reasons, if I had to try penalise a customer for this my company would close down...

Alex, the man behind the wall, makes his own kombucha. I start with this fact because how you feel about that will accurately forecast how much you'll like Behind This Wall. And I want you to know how you'll feel before going, because Behind This Wall is the perfect bar. And if you're not going to like it, I want you to stay away forever.

So, what makes it perfect? The cocktails are individual and considered. The wine list is small and interesting. The beers... let's not talk about the beers (RIP Omnipollo. You were too good for us.) Kidding. The beers are fine but why would you drink beer at a cocktail bar?

I've sat in Behind This Wall for five straight hours so believe me when I say the seating is acceptable.

They spin records most nights on a lovely sound system Alex wipes with a silk cloth. I've never actually seen him do this, but I assume he does. He looks at it like he wants to gently wipe it down with the finest and softest cloths known to man. He loves that stereo.

I've spent many a night sitting at the bar chatting with the staff who are not slow. Have you considered that your sense of time may be disrupted by the huge amount of privilege you're wearing around your head? It can't be ruled out. Drinks arrive at the appropriate time and the pacing is lovely unless you're an on-call doctor and need to go save lives. And good for you! We thank you for your...