Doña

There’s a subterranean mezcal bar in Stoke Newington, and an all-female team are calling the shots.

It’s called Doña – which we’re told is the feminine form of the honorific title don – and it’s run by long-time friends Thea Cumming & Lucie Massey, both of whom have impressive mezcal CVs under their mutual belts: collectively they’re responsible for launching London Mezcal Week, Dangerous Don mezcal, and pop up supperclubs Slap Ya Pappa & Cuppa Gumbo.

The space they’ve created is quite something: it’s dark, it’s underground, and it’s absolutely soaked in red & pink hues. They’ve parked it in a basement on Stoke Newington High Street, and they’ve dressed the space with beautiful frills of flamingo-pink feathers, fat flowers, prickly cacti, and decidedly non-prickly velvet seating.

@pasco.photography

The drinks are obviously very agave-leaning: the Dangerous Don makes its way into the house signature, Doña, which is blended with hot ginger liqueur & sour mixer. Beyond that, there’s hibiscus-loaded Fiorella; a blackberry & pear cider-addled Rebecca; and a few others, along with any other classic mezcal-style number you care to ask for.

They’re offering some Mexican goodness in the food department, too – Tigre Tacos have just moved into the space upstairs, so you can order their Cali-inflected dishes like baja fish tacos, mango tostadas and mariscos fritos (fried squid, octopus and fish with salsa verde) straight to the bar.

And the cherry on top? There’s live music every night at Doña, with a particular focus on female performers – and every Friday is jazz night, with an array of up-and-coming musicians billed to appear.

Not that this place needs jazzing up in the slightest.

NOTE: Doña is open Tuesday-Saturday, 7-11pm (midnight on Thurs, 1am Fri & Sat). You can find out more, and make a booking at their website right HERE.

Doña | 92 Stoke Newington High St, Clapton, N16 7NY

While you’re in the area… check out our guide to the best restaurants in Stoke Newington