Love & Liquor is the latest escapade by the Columbo Group (Paradise, XOYO) and combines proper prohibition-inspired cocktails with an End-of-the-World party vibe, set against a backdrop of stripped-back Brooklyn-warehouse cool. Pitched right on Kilburn’s high street, if you blink during daylight hours you’ll miss it, but when darkness rolls in, L&L’s exterior is a blaze of neon hearts and eager party-goers teetering on heels waiting to be, god, yes, please, FINALLY admitted to London’s most-hyped party.
Creative Director Clem Ogbonnaya is clearly a man on a mission to bring love, liquor and no-holds-barred hedonism to anyone up to the challenge. Partying here is serious business: open Fridays and Saturdays only, L&L is built for purpose. If you’re lucky enough to secure a spot on the guest list (and we definitely recommend you do), consider it your passport to an Epic Night Out. Already an ELLE favourite (we loved it so much, we chose the hidden ‘Volstead Library’ VIP area as the setting for our #ELLEsessions featuring Bebe Black), it seems we’re in good company with Tinie Tempah, Rita Ora and Will.i.am already firm regulars. Dress to be looked at— and you will be looked at, and photographed— so it’s got to be stylish. We opted for big hair and body-con paired with neat biker boots, a good cross-section of the looks fashionable music-lovers were rocking during our last visit. Consider it our uniform for killing it on the tiles until 3am closing… which we did.
The crowd varies depending on the evening, a peek at what’s on the menu (check the website) will give you a good indication of who and what to expect. This coming May Bank Holiday weekend (May 24th), kick off three days of good times with DJ Norman Jay (MBE, no less), who’ll be filling North London’s hottest party pit with the sounds of summer. Tickets are £8 in advance, £12 at the door, available here.
Watch Bebe Black perform an acoustic version of her track Deathwish for ELLE Sessions, shot on location at Love & Liquor here: http://www.elleuk.com/elle-tv/fashion/london/elle-sessions-bebe-black
The ELLEuk Score
Drinks 8
Ambience 9
Service 7
Value 8 (but there is a door charge)
Address: 34 Kilburn High Road, London, NW6 5UA, enq 020 8969 0098, loveandliquor.co.uk, @loveliquorbar
Opening times/days: Fridays & Saturdays 8pm – 3am.
Price of cheapest cocktail: £ 7.50
Signature cocktail: Velvet Elvis -Jack Daniels, Chambord, lime juice and lemonade £7.50
Price of glass house wine: £4.80
Price of bottle house wine: £19.90
Price glass house champagne: £8.75
Price bottle house champagne: £50
DJ? Always. Check loveandliquor.co.uk to see what’s on
Style of music: Disco, House, Hip-Hop & Party Bangers
Does it have a private room for parties? Table and booth hire for 6-30 people, and the hidden Volstead Library can host 150 guests
And how much is the hire fee? Contact clem@thecolumbogroup.com for party specifics
Does it have a garden/al fresco area? No (Cordoned-off smoking area in front, as standard)
Who goes? Savvy north-west London locals, beat-loving bohemians, stylish music industry types
Any celebs? Tinie Tempah, Rita Ora, Will.i.am
Door policy: Guest list advisable, via the website. Free before 10pm
Nearest tube: Kilburn High Road (overground), Kilburn Park (underground)
Good for: Special occasions, Big Nights Out
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