In a city with plenty of ace-high whisky bars, you might think this town ain’t big enough for more. But Dropkick Jonny’s serves up more than White Eye and Who-Hit-John.
In fact, it promises a triple threat of cocktails, folk jams and whisky drams.
This bolthole sits hidden away upstairs at Richmond’s Tap Tavern. Behind a door initialled ‘DKJ’, inside you’ll find a bar that wouldn’t look out of place in a Spaghetti Western. It’s all dark wood, shuttered windows and Chesterfield leather seats, with a central bar loaded up with more hooch than seems physically possible.
That hooch is mostly whisky, mostly blends, and mostly familiar faces – Lagavulin, Wild Turkey, Nikka and the like – but if you ask nicely the bartender will pour you something more buccaneering from their under-counter whisky selection. In fact, the staff here are all exceptionally knowledgeable and accommodating. Ask to try the Taiwanese single malt – it’s well worth investigating.
Then there’s the cocktail list, a brilliantly executed selection of classics like Old Fashioneds, Whisky Sours (this one’s vegan), daiquiris and gimlets. Some spirits are even barrel aged for added flavour – think hints of vanilla and subtle nuttiness – to give cocktails like their Gin Old Fashioned a dangerously drinkable edge.
It’s their most wanted…
NOTE: Dropkick Jonny’s is open Thurs-Sat 5pm-12:30am. You can find out more and book HERE.
Dropkick Jonny’s | Above Tap Tavern, Princes St, Richmond TW9 1ED
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