This time a year ago we were sprucing up the space, setting the turntables and winding up for the passage of one year to the next. With all the hope, goodwill and optimism that this night brings. Eager to be in the clinking, chattering company of dear friends, colleagues and neighbours.

You don’t need me to say that business has been hard, that this years celebration will be muted and we’re all missing that fundamental feeling of community.

Our most popular serve so far this season has undoubtably been the Suzaku Maru, our storied seasonal CBD sour. A total collaborative effort from the whole management team, last week Alex spoke to the ES Magazine about the process behind creating it and the importance of story-telling! Here’s the full unedited transcript.

With summer drawing to end we’re moving our seasonal CBD syrup out of the ice wells and into the store for you to enjoy! 

Alex was interviewed by the lovely folk at The Extract for their vlog on lifestyle cafes (and bars) doing CBD in London.

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All around the country, pagan-identifying types are tuning bare-breasted towards their nearest haul of ancient stones. The ground around Stone Henge will creak under the weight of flashers and dogging enthusiasts expunging ritual joy at the altar of the saggy boob and wonky dong. The Waitrose at Fleet Service station - positioned perniciously before turning into the tailbacks of the A303 - will see a year’s worth of trade between here and Glastonbury and back again. Pull up the effigies! Burn Farage! Burn BoJO! Just don’t forget the mini Molten Mowbray pork pies.

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Out with the old and in with the new. The Spring equinox always feels somewhat cleansing; just as winter’s drawn on that little bit too long and the festive season is a vanquishing speck on an expandingly-bleak horizon. Suddenly, day matches night and the weight lifts a touch. It’s only going one way from here.

Our most popular serve this winter has been our dessert cocktail offering, synonymous with the alias of its’ creator. You’ll all know Anna as Anna but, by day, she sun-lights (sic?) as recording artist and producer Chloé Martini. Anna’s favourite drink was a Last Word, her favourite spirit Green Chartreuse. She’s worked here on her own version using pine and plum for this menu; more of a pallete-cleansing ‘Stinger-esque’ night-cap than an out-and-out sweet finisher. It was reasoned, as well, that this seasons’ CBD offering would be with this serve, just the tonic before cosying up in bed for a night of lucid dreams. It’s the first drink she’s made for us and certainly won’t be the last! Suffice to say her favourite drink now is a Chloé Martini.

Been a long time coming…

By the time this reaches you it may, nay probably will, already be too late.

On Monday, to open London Cocktail Week, we'll be hosting a special event with Seedlip at the bar looking at the marriage between CBD and no / lo serves with a talk from Spiros Malandrakis and insights into our house syrup. To attend rsvp to alex@behindthiswall.com