Nine Lives — Restaurant in London

Last Thursday |||| |||| marked the spot, for the new Nine Lives bar, which is founded by the Sweet & Chilli agency. Who is the Sweet & Chilli agency you ask? –They are an agency who is renowned for specialising in drinks and beverages and have aided in promoting some of the biggest brands and events in London, La and Sydney! Their newest bar Nine Lives represents a waste not want not ethos, as literally everything in the bar is reclaimed and sustainable, the Nine Lives symbol can be seen throughout the bar reminding customers of the bar’s ethos. Outside, Sweet and Chilli have created a living breathing eco garden with herbs and plants, which are used in their drinks. All water usage is retained and is recycled throughout the garden. Upon arrival, I received a reusable bamboo straw for my cocktail, which can be used for the next time I go to Nine Lives. I honestly thought it was such a great idea and is memorabilia, however, I had to hold on to it tight, as I do not think they will give you another straw.

I wanted to try a range of their cocktails, to recommend the different types of cocktails that the bar offers. So my first choice was the- Kuti Bird; Vodka, tropical triple sec-, pineapple, Aperol. The initial taste was quite sweet and tropical but the aftertaste was bitter and fizzy, but this was most likely due to the Aperol.

The Alright Blossom was my next cocktail choice; Raspberry, hibiscus, rose, prosecco. This would normally be my go to drink, as I love a glass of prosecco. The overall taste is very sweet and the drink is a well presented! A typical girly drink!.

However, my ultimate favourite choice was the Crossfire Hurricane which consists of; rum, lemon, orange, pineapple, passion fruit and bitters. I absolutely loved the citrus taste, but you have been warned as this drink is a sly creeper!

Price: ££

What to wear: Casual (I wore a grey sweater, jeans and court heels)

Ambience and hospitality: Very laid back and eclectic crowd, so better to stand at the bar and meet new people rather than to be...

I had a really awful experience and would not recommend anyone to visit this bar as security has a very authoritarian power complex.

I went to the restroom and upon waiting to wash my hands I was approached by security. I was immediately attacked as he presumed I was up to no good in the cubicle. I told him I hadn't, but this wasn't sufficient for him so he began searching me. After not finding anything on me he became even more angry. I made it clear that I wasn't happy with the situation as I hadn't consented to the rather extensive search. He told me he was an extension of the law, he could search me if he wanted to and that I had given "tacit consent". He told me that cops randomly search people on the streets all the time and that I shouldn't be upset just because this was my first one. He then told me that I had a bad attitude and that I had to leave the bar because of it (all because I said I didn't give consent). Through out this situation he was blocking me from the exit and wouldn't let me leave. I informed him that I actually was trying to leave and the restroom stop was the end of my stay here. All I wanted to do was wash my hands and grab my coat which he then said he would follow me to ensure that this happened. As I went to grab my coat I told my friends I was getting kicked out for "my bad attitude" which he then proceeded to attack my friends and told them this was a serious situation (me saying I didn't consent). Staff had to intervene due to his aggression as he attacked a group of us. Both the cocktail servers and door man apologised as we expressed our dissatisfaction whilst security continued his baseless tirade.

It was a really pathetic display of power by the security, and there was no element of control on his part once he realised he was...

Nine Lives — Hidden Cocktail Haven in London Bridge Tucked away on a quiet backstreet near London Bridge, Nine Lives is the kind of bar you stumble upon once and never forget. Housed in a Victorian basement with tropical vibes and low lighting, it’s intimate, effortlessly cool, and refreshingly unpretentious.

Drinks: The cocktail menu is short, seasonal, and seriously well-crafted. Expect bold flavours, sustainable ingredients, and zero-waste philosophy. Try the Margarita Verde or Pink Panther — both are standouts.

Vibe: Think jungle chic meets speakeasy. Exposed brick, plants everywhere, and a soundtrack that leans into funk, soul, and deep house. It’s cozy without being cramped, stylish without trying too hard.

Service: Warm, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about what they serve. Bartenders are happy to chat or recommend something off-menu.

Extras:

DJs on weekends keep the energy up without overwhelming conversation.

Occasionally hosts pop-ups and collabs with local creatives.

Prices: Premium but fair — cocktails around £11–£13. Worth it for the quality and experience.

Final word: Nine Lives is more than a bar — it’s a mood. Whether you're on a date, catching up with friends, or flying solo, it’s one of London’s best-kept secrets for a night that feels both relaxed...