B.Y.O.C opens third London bar

Clandestine drinking den B.Y.O.C., where customers are asked to bring their own spirits, is opening a third site in the London borough of Camden next month.

B.Y.O.C’s vintage Italian drinks trolley

Standing for “bring your own cocktail”, in keeping with its speakeasy theme, B.Y.O.C. Camden is located behind a discreet door on Camden High Street.

Like the Covent Garden original, revellers have to venture down a spine-breakingly narrow staircase to get to the dimly lit basement bar.

Customers are asked to supply their own base spirit and £25 in exchange for as many bespoke cocktails as they can cram into their two-hour slot.

In addition to off the cuff cocktails to suit patrons’ palates, the bar will serve a simple food offering including artisan cheeses and charcuterie boards.

Aiming to evoke a bygone era, the 50-seater bar is modelled on a prohibition casino and boasts vintage roulette and blackjack tables.

The star of the show is a vintage Italian drinks trolley kitted up with an arsenal of fruit and vegetable juices, syrups, herbs, spices, bitters, salts and homemade cordials.

“With Covent Garden consistently booked it was time to offer an additional location with more space and a slightly different feel,” said B.Y.O.C. owner Aleksey Nikulin.

“Consumers have responded strongly to the flexibility of providing spirits of their choosing and having cocktails made to suit them. The bespoke experience is demonstrative of where the market is heading,” he added.

B.Y.O.C. Camden will be open Tuesday through Sunday and will be available throughout the week for private hire.

The original B.Y.O.C. in Covent Garden opened in last February, with a second bar in Brighton following in November.