Head down to about the midpoint of Commercial Street in Spitalfields until you reach a window with a blazing neon bowl of noodles so bright it could guide lost sailors home (meaning you’ve reached Slurp) and you’ll see a small alleyway to the side, with what appears to be a dead end.
But – plot twist – it’s been faking its death, and it’s actually the entrance to Dang’s.
This is an underground speakeasy style cocktail joint that serves up Thai-style fried chicken to help balance out its booze. Step inside and down the stairs, and you’ll find a circular bar surrounded by a circular space, like a Russian doll of cocktail geometry. There are sofas that dangle lazily from the ceiling on thick ropes, and full-back leather barstools for you to ease back into. In the evenings it’s dark and moody, and feels just the right amount of clandestine.
The drinks are what you came here for, and they’re a pretty lively collection of cocktails with a smattering of Thai (or other Asian) ingredients making cameos – there’s the fierce Some Like It Hot loaded with both chilli & wasabi vodkas; the assertively punchy Banana Hibiki (which includes cacao rum, Hibiki whiskey, and banana liqueur); the smooth Taro Ramos (which blends Japanese blossom gin with taro root syrup); and the rather vibrant Tom Yum, which somehow brings together lime leaf, galangal, lemongrass, coriander, and vodka.
Then there’s that fried chicken too. It’s not quite at the level of Smoking Goat or Kiln, but it’s something you’ve likely not had before unless you’ve been to Thailand – you can get larb (sour & tangy) or zaab (spicy & salty) spiced wings, to go with the more traditional tasting Hat Yai chicken, which is named for the city it hails from – apparently it’s Thailand’s fried chicken capital. All told, it won’t change your life, but it makes for great drinking food. There are no desserts though…
…so you’ll just have to have another cocktail.
NOTE: Dang’s is open now. You can find out more, and make a booking at the Slurp website.
Dang’s | 60-62 Commercial Street, E1 6LT
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