Bermondsey Beer Mile isn’t just about the beer these days.
And that’s thanks, funnily enough, to These Days, a brand new aperitivo bar that’s made its home amongst the famous stretch of railway arches.
If you’re not already acquainted with the noble art of the Italian aperitivo, it’s a centuries-old justification for day-drinking tradition where locals come together at the end of the day for a spritz to stimulate their appetite (and a little conversation). And as a nation of enthusiastic day drinkers ourselves, it’s not surprising that drinks like the negroni and Aperol spritzes have had something of a renaissance over here, too. But These Days are on a mission to bring a broader variety of spritzes to Londoners – ones that don’t involve huge amounts of sugar, or niche spirits that are hard to come by. So they’ve been busy perfecting pre-batched spritzes made with real fruit and organic wine from the big boot.
Teo Della Torre
Now, the team have opened their first ever bricks-and-mortar bar. Nestled under the tracks, in a pared-back space dotted with Persian rugs and vintage furniture there’s room for just 50, with tables spilling out onto the pavement in warmer weather (which, we are assured, will make an appearance eventually). The idea is to offer spritzes that feel familiar, while steering clear of the more obvious flavour pairings. So you can score Sundown Spritzes made with blood orange and chinotto, and their Venetian Spritz, a lighter take on the bellini, as well as their secret monthly spritz special, poured either from the bottle or from taps lining the bar.
Now, we know what you’re thinking. If aperitivos are supposed to be stimulate the appetite, what’s supposed to satisfy it? Well, thankfully this isn’t just one alcohol-laced tease, because they have a food menu too. They’ve bussed in chef Greg Weaver (ex The Culpeper) to deliver the likes of popcorn cockles; veal shnitzels with kimchi-sauerkraut; Jerusalem artichokes with onset eggs; dark ganache with blood orange & sage, and more. And, should you fancy…
…you can just order the whole menu.
NOTE: These Days is open now, and doesn’t take bookings – you can find out more HERE.
These Days | 100 Druid Street, London SE1 2AN
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