Chiave, which means “key” in Italian, is a petite yet elegant cocktail bar in Shoreditch with a hidden dance floor nestled just below.
If you’re after good drinks, good tunes, and a space with all-around good vibes? This place is pretty much a lock. And Nudge Members (plus up to three lucky guests) are getting 50% off cocktails between 6pm-8pm for a whole month, from 26th November to 26th December.
You’ll find it nestled along the nightlife neutron star that is Redchurch Street. Stand outside Chiave, tilt your head a bit, and you’re within a stone’s throw of Brat, Smoking Goat, Cycene, Burro E Salvia, and Cecconi’s— and that’s just the restaurant lineup. It’s a decent area. But it’s also a competitive area. And Chiave manages to stand out in large part thanks to its split personality.
The space is divided into two parts: the well-mannered cocktail bar upstairs and the dance-ready, bass-thumping basement below. The general idea is to get your evening going in one, then amp things up in the other, although it’s up to you in which direction you carry that.
Chiave isn’t massive, but the upstairs area feels both intimate and inviting, with a dash of mid-century class. The bar’s backlit shelves show off an impressive line-up of spirits, adding a nice hint of glamour.
The cocktails are all named after a specific song, and often plunder the herb garden for ingredients: the Libertango mixes vodka with cherry, thyme, and black peppercorns; the rum-soaked Dream Machine smells almost like a Le Labo perfume with its chamomile, Chartreuse, and fino sherry; and there’s a non-alcoholic Rehab, which has a honey-0like taste thanks to the tarragon. They’re clever, balanced, and frequently very good.
The downstairs space has a darker, edgier feel, almost like a modern speakeasy meets a mini-club. The DJ booth at the back is bracketed by a pair of scarily large, custom-made Arda Audio speakers, and they’re put to use every night with a programme of genuinely great DJs, many of whom are residents at Fabric.
Like the bar, they’re usually never off key.
NOTE: Chiave is open now, Tuesday to Saturday. You can find out more and make a booking at the Chiave website.
PERK: Nudge Members (+3) are getting 50% off cocktails between 6pm-8pm from 26th November to 26th December. To book, just head to the ‘Secret Golden Hour’ banner at the top of the page.
Not a Nudge Member yet? Sign up for a free trial.
Chiave | 36 Redchurch Street, E2 7DP
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