The Hide Bar

This place is a fun-​killer. Got told off for singing happy birthday, and the bartenders are a piece of sh*t acting as if a Thursday night out should be a civilised night out for no noise and absolute peace and quiet. What a bunch of idiots. There is no way in hell that I will be going back or recommending this place to my friends, in fact I I’ll make it my life’s mission to ensure this place gets shut down for its disgraceful attitude towards diminishing customer experiences.

Horrendous service.
We waited 20 minutes to get our cocktails.
We left after that point. I’ve never been anywhere in the world where you wait 20 minutes to get your drink. So unacceptable.
It was a weekend night but so what? Not a good excuse at all.
Looked like a legit spot, but nope. Will never go back.

A great cocktail bar, with a subtle speakeasy feel to it — we had a sensational Bloody Mario made with tequila and delicious, very good Espresso Martini — definitely go for the shorter drinks though, you’ll get more bang for your buck.

I must have walked by this place a hundred times since moving to Bermondsey two years ago. I’m now kicking myself for not heading in here sooner.
During one of the recent warm (!) days in London, my fiancéé and I decided to grab a drink before heading home to make dinner. We usually head further up Bermondsey street before ducking in for a cocktail, but neither of us had the energy to try to flag down bartenders, or spend the evening in a crowd apologising for stepping on toes and awkward elbows.
I was pleasantly surprised to see space (hurray!) in Hide Bar that Friday, so we headed in. In 2 minutes we had seats at the bar. 5 minutes later we had delicious cocktails and an order of calamari on the way. Prices were very fair for the neighborhood, and the service was excellent. It’s a very cute place for drinks before dinner, and also seemed like it would be good for a group of coworkers (they have what looks like private space in the back).
I will definitely be back again. There is no terrace and it’s a bit dark, so perhaps not the first choice as the weather gets warmer, but absolutely my new go to when the weather is poor.

Came in for a work social, so we enjoyed the private room at the back, which came with a dedicated server.
The server was fantastic, really sweet, helpful and on point with cocktail orders for our group of 15 or so. The room itself was good for a group event: three walls lined with sofas and lower, coffee table style tables for a more lounge feel.
We had a few canapés served throughout the night and they were ok. Not amazing or terribly innovative but they arrived hot and fresh, which is worth something.
The cocktails were another story. Some were incredibly lovely (The Fresh Fizz and the Vim and Vimto particularly) but most were just … I don’t know, trying too hard?
For example, Basil the Mexican (tequila based with bitters and grapefruit and mezcal) was served in a terra cotta style herb plant pot with thai basil sticking out the top. Very Heston Blumenthal but tasted terrible. The Garden Path (vodka, sherry, lemon and thyme) had potential despite being thrown by the sherry-​vodka combo but was equally off-​putting.
It’s too hit or miss to say I’d come back and gamble my own £9−12 on a maybe awesome, maybe disgusting drink. It’s fun to be pleasantly surprised by new and different ingredients, but too many just seem to be on the menu to induce a «huh» factor, and despite the randomness didn’t have much variety (mezcal and tequila popped up a LOT).
Know what else there was a lot of? Syrups. Chammomile syrup, thyme syrup, house spice syrup, sansho pepper syrup… I had 5 – 6 cocktails and by the time I got home had a stomach ache :(
Have fun, you adventurous cool babies, I’d rather place my hard-​earned drinking money on a safer bet.

Musics good, bartenders are friendly and know what they were doing and it was alright price wise (£9 cocktails).

Came here with the boy for a wee pre-​dinner cocktail.
It was amazing! They definitely know their drinks here and have lots of really unique cocktails.
The waitress recommended a cocktail to start with which was like a litre big, it was HUGE and delicious! Something like the vino vimto?
Staff were friendly, knew their stuff and the vibe was perfect.
Great little find, bookmarking this baby for the next time I’m in the area!

Inviting cocktail bar that was the perfect final stop on our team night out, and we used it to coax the boss into one-(or maybe three!)-for-the-road.
It’s casual but classy, so no strolling up to lean on the bar yourself as it’s table service only. The wait staff were a bit off that night — the front of house lady seemed to be internally freaking out at a group of 8 arriving, and was insistent that we should go and sit in the private area at the back. It took surprisingly long for me to explain to her that given they were practically empty and it was late, we’d quite like to push a couple of tables together, enjoy the beautiful bar area and watch cocktails being made please, rather than squash onto the cowprint bench seating I could see at the back.
She eventually allowed this (though I suspect shot daggers at me as we shuffled a couple of tables for two closer together). Our waiter then managed to get our order wrong — mishearing a cocktail and missing two drinks. But I’m not sure my colleagues were entirely sober when ordering so it’s not surprising something got lost in translation! The drinks themselves then took an aaage and even though the barmen put on a good show in the distance, we’d almost lost patience by the time they arrived.
But then… I had one of the nicest cocktails I’ve ever tasted and all was forgiven! if you’re a whisky fan then go try Beyond The Sea; as per usual I was on the lookout for unusual ingredients, and with Talisker 12yo, lavendar foam and — wait for it — flamed Ardbeg mist (!!!) this sounded like a winner! I loved how each cocktail on the menu had a cute descriptive blurb beneath it — mine said something about it wrapping its warm arms around you on a blustery beach, and after a few sips I remember thinking that was spot on. Yum.
Bring a date or bring a friend — just don’t bring 8 of them and you should be just fine ;)

Fantastic. This is the Ziloufs of Southeast London! Great cocktail menu — innovative, creative drinks at £8.50-£10.50 a pop. The drinks were delicious and unlike anything I’ve had anywhere else. Table service means a short wait at the door, and we got there late so only had time for two before closing time. However, it was a great choice of bar and I am really glad we went.
Highly recommended for dates, hanging out with friends, and expanding your horizons beyond the standard mojitos and bellinis on offer in most pubs. The House Champagne Punch is a must-​try. It is pretty loud, though, so don’t go expecting to have long, deep conversations in a quiet corner. Good vibe, good drinks, excellent service (if a touch slow). They even provide free tap water to keep you hydrated between cocktails.

My second time at The Hide! The first time I went with Larissa G. but we got way too drunk for me to write any kind of reasonable review of it.
The second time was for a date. The Hide is actually a perfect date location because it’s classy cocktails in a central location that’s quiet enough for you to chat, and dark enough if your companion isn’t a stunner.
The best part about this bar is probably the waitstaff and bartenders. I have no patience to read a cocktail menu, so always ask them to make recommendations. I started asking for gin specific cocktails but at the end of the night, I was just saying ‘bring me whatever’. And whatever they did! Every cocktail was fantastic. From the very grown up Whiskey India to the lighter Quarter Past Eleven, they were very well made and presented. At a minimum of £9 each, these aren’t exactly cheap but you aren’t there to save your pennies, are you?
The back room is a very chilled location to sit and chat and the waitstaff are just attentive enough to not be annoying. I love their little waistcoats and we had a had a great banter with them.

Great cocktail venue if there’s a group of you — you can book a table, there’s waiter service, and an interesting, innovative menu with plenty of choices to try, all arriving beautifully presented with good attention to garnishing!
There’s a relaxed buzz with classic tunes humming away in the background (at just the right volume not to disrupt conversation) and the industrial styled ceiling lighting adds a nice glow to the overall laid back convivial mood.
It’s a nice touch that the menu includes a little drawing of the glass the drink is served in, so if glass style and shape is a factor you like to take into consideration when choosing, then it’s very helpful.
I particularly enjoyed the Forget-​Me-​Not (tequila and pineapple juice with chilli and cinnamon), which tasted slightly medicinal with a good warming kick.
Jalisco Breakfast (another tequila based infusion with a hint of coffee) arrived topped with a sliver of raspberry and salted caramel dark chocolate, and was smooth and very delicious!
Blood & Marriage (a concoction of bourbon and oloroso sherry with hints of figs and marmalade, served in the style of a julep) went down well although could have done without the solid layer of ice on top. And if you feel yourself starting to flag, National Express (rye whiskey, cola and expresso) will no doubt pick you up!
All made up to a great evening — would definitely return!

I scoped out some reviews of the place by friends that I respect and trust, and was encouraged to head here for some pre-​grub cocktailery. I really enjoyed my visit here and the drinks were imaginative and tasty. Job done.
I tried to call ahead to reserve a table but was unable to get anyone to pick up my call. So I headed down with a certain amount of trepidation about whether I would get a table. I need not have worried, as when I entered there was only one table occupied at 6:30. And it stayed fairly empty during the next two hours that I was there. Maybe it was the time of year or it is out of fashion now… but it really was not busy at all.
Service was very attentive for around the first hour. Thereafter, our waiter just went «POOF!» and disappeared. A different server helped out after some time but it was painful to get a drink for quite some time. Even when it was time to head out of The Hide Bar, it was a mission to pay the bill.
I like the décor here. Simple, sparse, yet a pleasant haven from the bright August sun outside. The bar area is a nice backdrop to the action — not only is it a pretty focal point, it obviously adds to the functionality by being so well stocked.
I have a gripe about the cocktails here though — mean servings. They charge a standard London price for the drinks but really scrimp on the contents of your glass. Tasty, yes. Plentiful, no.
I would definitely return to The Hide Bar. I hope the service will be less patchy though, and I would love a little more «drink» in my… erm… «drinks» next time please.

The best cocktails in London!
Dans un cadre à la «Mad Men», the Hide présente un grand choix de cocktails réalisés par de VRAIS professionnels.
Il faut certes attendre 10min pour la préparation, mais c’est un bonheur de voir l’application avec laquelle les barmen s’exécutent.
Coup de coeur pour le «Old Fashioned»: une merveille!

I love this place!
Recently returned with some friends and The Hide was just as good as I remembered. I adore all of the old school cocktails they make, and their willingness to suggest/​make off menu drinks.
The only thing I dislike is that I don’t live closer!

If you’re looking for a respectable cocktail menu just south of the river, then the Hide is pretty much the place for you. But just because it’s not as reputable as some cocktail bars in Shoreditch, don’t expect to come prancing up to this place midweek expecting to get a table. No, you probably won’t even manage to get standing room on a Thursday unless you book ahead.
But if you do book ahead, the Hide won’t disappoint. It’s modern, but not flashy. Cosy, but not staid. It has a local vibe (that sometimes veers on the ‘City’ side of things) and strong drinks. And Meantime is on tap if you prefer pints.
It’s not a destination bar, but you wouldn’t be disappointed if you travelled to meet someone here.
Plus, they serve pretty decent food for when you need something to soak up all the booze. Handy.

This is a decent pub/​cocktail bar — slightly on the modern side for me. Served the Greenwich Brewery beers, which are very good and they have an immense selection of spirits.
Busy on Friday nights, and the crowd is «City».

The Hide Bar is perfect for that on the way home drink. It also is a convenient stop for an unintentional Bermondsey street pub crawl starting at the Shipwright and going on down to Village East/​Marigold.
I’ve been here before and was a bit turned off by the Friday night crowd and a truly horrible Sazerac I was served. The drink was so foul that I would have preferred to take straight shots of rubbing alcohol. So with trepidation, I ventured in for a drink and catch up with a friend.
They don’t serve Guinness (or much variety in beer beyond the bog standard… that’s a weird phrase I learned in the UK). We opted then for an Old Fashioned, a calculated risk given my desire for a whiskey drink and the horrendous result they provided last time. I was pleased to see the bartender taking the time to properly make the drinks including a) using the right glass (and not a port glass like last time), b) using thick proper ice, c) stirring for several minutes to achieve the right temperature and level of dilution, and d) carefully peeling an orange twist as a garnish. I was enjoying this drink before I even took my first sip! It lived up to expectations and was one of the best I’ve had to date. Just goes to show, don’t necessarily judge the bar, but judge the hell out of the bartender!
Atmosphere was nice and friendly and not as rammed as I remember it before. I imagine the cold and inclement weather had something to do with that as well. The food coming past us looked good but I’d recommend more for sharing platters than an actual meal.
Bathrooms are to the left of the bar not the right as you would think. There is a tiny sign pointing to a half hidden door that alerts you to this fact.
Overall, it’s back in the books as a decent pub but I reckon Woolpack has a better layout and Village East makes better drinks. It’s close to Tooley St and London Bridge station so location is definitely a plus for catching up with friends.

What a lovely surprise. Just a third of the way down Bermondsey Street is hidden The Hide. A small but very agreeable bar with a certain charm that stole my heart.
En entering, the bar welcomes you, standing proud like an old English gentleman. To the right is a open area featuring butterfly wall paper and a decanter and sherry glass chandelier.
I must make mention of the fabulous cocktail (s) — I had the chili raspberry martini. Twas very good and I’ll be sure to be popping in again.

Please refer to my blog
for pictures and more
I rarely do drinks/​bar posts, this is not because I don’t drink (quite the opposite unfortunately) but because I know much less about mixology and wine than I know about food. In addition I tend to spend my limited funds on food rather than expensive drinks.
The Hide Bar deserves to be mentioned here however. Not only because it is located in the new gourmet destination Bermondsey Street but also because I have had some of the best (and most reasonably priced) cocktails in London here and they do a mean Chili and Raspberry Martini! I recommend you pop by after you had some exceptional Italian food at Zucca, sampled the Tapas at Jose, enjoyed the seasonal British food at Magdalen or went for some cheap Thai at Suchard.
I used to live just around the corner and this was the destination I would go for honest, inventive and high quality cocktails. While Village East on the South End of Bermondsey Street might be the more atmospheric bar in the area, The Hide Bar without doubt does the better cocktails.
The mixologists at The Hide Bar are taking their job extremely seriously. There is no messing about or cutting corners which might be at least part due to the fact that The Hide Bar is located just next to the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET), where most (all?) of the bar keepers are trained.
The menu changes frequently and I find choosing very hard. You don’t find many standard cocktails on the menu, but have to take your pick between gems like An American in London (7.50, Knob Creek bourbon, infused with Early Grey tea, peach liquor, Peychaud’s bitter and sweet vermouth) or the Snow Leopard Martini (7.50, Snow Leopard vodka infused with rosemary and Lillet Blanc). Naomi and I don’t only share food but also cocktails, so I got half of both and I can’t say which I enjoyed more. I loved the rosemary taste of the latter but also the hint of earl grey in an alcoholic drink is simply delightful.
It never works at The Hide Bar to only go for one round. At this point already slightly cognitively impaired, I think I tremendously enjoyed the tangy flavours of The Nethernez (7 Bols Genever, Zucca rhubarb liqueor, China Martini and home-​made anise syrup). Angel Face with Quince infused Gin, calvados and apricot brandy you probably shouldn’t attempt if you can’t take your alcohol. We can’t take our alcohol too well, so we staggered home after this one, happy, mellow and drunk.

The Hide Bar is right next door to the WSET (Wine and Spirits Educational Trust). Given that this is the main wine/​booze industry qualification provider you’d expect that, with them as their neighbours and patrons, they’d be on the top of their game. You’d be right. Indeed, every staff member is WSET-​trained (I’m unsure of exactly to which level), and the competence and knowledge of mixology when it comes to cocktails here is very accomplished.
Likewise, the beers and spirits are an excellent sampling of some of the finest of each of their genres. There’s no bog standard, low-​end, cheap booze here.
The wine list is one of the most impressive in London, once again thanks to WSET’s strongly felt influence.
Service is friendly and highly knowledgeable — many an occasion I’ve sat at the bar talking shop and trading insights on the best pairings of various vermouths and gins, and other similarly geeky booze-​oriented pursuits. Pleasant décor and lovely big sofas round off the bar’s comfy and inviting atmosphere.
Food is served, and certainly looks reasonable, but I’ve only ever been drinking there …
Amazingly, prices here are actually exceptionally good by London standards — cocktails clock in at ~£7.50 and the wine prices display some of the thinnest margins I’ve ever seen. Ridiculously good-​value.
Definitely worth making a trek for, especially if you pass through London Bridge at any point — it’s only a 5 minute walk away and, alongside The Rake, is one of the most interesting places to drink in the area.

This road is really full of amazing little surprises. Initially I fell in love with the bar’s interiors and details. Notice the ceiling, it has a grid-​like cellular concrete division, where each division holds a light. At first sight they look rusted and alien but they fit perfectly well with the bar’s ambience. They are crazy about drinks, in a good way. I think it has something to do with their location on the ground floor of the International Wine & Spirit Centre. They even have a library with books on their passion dating back to 1890, have a look it is really interesting.
When you come here, I say be adventurous, and try something different, if you don’t mind paying £6.50 or £7 for a drink that you may or may not end up liking.
My choice ‘Partida Grapefruit Old-​Fashioned’ Partida Blanco tequila, pink grapefruit, agave syrup, grapefruit twist. Partida is a very clean, fresh tequila. It makes this drink fantastically crisp.
Judging from my drink and the sips I had from all of my friend’s drinks, trust me, it will be money well spent.