Zenna Bar

We came during happy hour, and it was dead, but the bartenders were so fun and nice and easy going. The drinks were so well made. I’d highly recommend it to anyone.

This was my go-​to place for drinks when I studied abroad in London for 4 weeks. I found out about this place the second week I was there and I’m pretty sure I went more than 6 times… so safe to say I loved this place. What got me going back wasn’t only chill atmosphere for the place, but also the amazing bartenders. The service was amazing and Billy made me some of the best cocktails I’ve ever had. These guys aren’t just bartenders who only make drinks on the menu — they’re mixologists and can easily make you drinks based on what you tell them. I’ve never liked tequila, but Billy made me a red wine and tequila that was delicious!
I definitely like coming on a weekday because it can get pretty packed on the weekends. As I mentioned, I talked to the bartenders a lot and got to know them and was invited to their menu launch party, which was a blast! For the service and quality of drinks you get, the price really isn’t that bad, especially since they can tailor drinks to your liking. If it’s saying anything, this place is what I’ll miss the most about London, because of the awesome people as well as the amazing cocktails. I made some extremely fond memories here with friends :)
If you’re planning on visiting this place after reading this review, tell them Helen sent you! ;)

Just such a great place and so hidden away in Soho that you would walk straight past it. I have been there 4 or 5 times now on weekdays, weekends etc and its always been fun and lively
Not too crowded, good music, great reasonable priced drinks, easy access, no cover charge and good for a dance or to just chill…
I have been to so many trendy, glamorous, extravagant bars, but this place keeps it simple and you feel comfortable and can have fun with friends or your partner when you go there for a drink or two after a dinner on a saturday night
Highly recommended… simplicity makes this place great

Zenna Bar is fantastic find. My friend threw her 30^th Birthday Party here and it was perfect! We had our own private section in the bar and the music, food, and drinks were all amazing. I would highly recommend trying a Watermelon Daiquiri (if you don’t spill it all over yourself first). It was such a refreshing drink.
On a Saturday night, expect the dance floor to be jammed with people trying to have a good time!

Very nice small underground club that’s got a very good vibe to its dance floor. It’s got a nice nook and cranny feel to it.
The cocktails are spicy. I love that. I had a spicy orange chocolate something (vodka??) which was absolutely fantastic.

Zenna is an underground bar that’s becoming less underground everyday.
Literally, you walk down a flight of stairs into a cool and classic basement bar. Mood lit– giant alcoves with comfortable long-​couch seating, waiters who will bring your drinks to you. There’s a lot to love.
Zenna has a fantastic cocktail menu, filled with some really unique and original drinks, many you won’t find anywhere else in London. Last time I got the garden Martini, which was an amazing gin-​based drink that almost tasted like a fresh salad. A great twist on an old classic.
Drinks run semi-​high at about £8 to £9 a cocktail. Not cheap but not overly insane either.
The Zenna experience is really about when you come though. Because of it’s amazing Soho location and the fact that it’s no longer a cool secret, it can be packed. I avoid this place on the weekeds now, which is a shame because it’s a cool weekend bar. Instead, I got for a drink after work with friends or biz meetings. Then I have quite the excellent time.

4.25 stars. With all the comforting bouquets of floating flowers that mark the path towards Zenna, one would expect a soothing, comforting experience awaits them. And that very well might be the case depending on what you order.
If you order the Golden Dragon, however, the chances that the intestinal lining of your stomach will not be permanently altered is somewhere between slim and none. You should probably bet on the latter.
What is the Golden Dragon? Aside from a flaming cocktail served with a single drop of what the bartender Billy deemed «Satan’s Blood», I really have no idea. The cocktail is advertised as containing a secret burning agent that measures somewhere between 300,000 and 500,000 Scoville units. For reference, if you are a typical Westerner, this is over 100x hotter than a jalapeño. For those of you who crave spice, this is the equivalent of a rather hot Red Savina habanero.
The challenge is whether or not you can finish the cocktail without the help of any masking agent (like milk or butter). Foolishly, I attempted to drink the cocktail using small sips. This only increased the level of burn and the accompanying chaser only worked to spread the damage throughout the mouth and throat and down into the stomach. After about a half dozen deadly sips, Billy laughed and confided in me that larger gulps make far more sense when attempting to drink this cocktail. I took a few gulps that only led me towards finishing approximately ¹⁄₁₀ of the cocktail, and I realized that I was in trouble.
Would I be able to conquer this cocktail under the right circumstances? Maybe. I doubt it, but I could probably force it down over tears and possibly a rather unfortunate trip or two to the bathroom. Is such punishment worth it? Perhaps. It is infrequent that a spicy drink conquers me, and now having a better plan, I think I would have a better showing.
Other than this killer cocktail, I have to say that the bar has plenty to like. The atmosphere is effortlessly sexy, and I could see myself enjoying more than just cocktails here. The people that work here are incredibly friendly, and the non-​spicy cocktails were actually rather well balanced and enjoyable.
If I lived in London, I could see myself coming here with relative frequency. This experience is worth your time.

A quick update. I went back mid-​week and the place is pretty empty (although all the tables are always reserved). The drinks continue to be top notch although we had a slight communication issue.
I asked for a Sazerac and instead of the cocktail got the rye whiskey straight. It’s not the smoothest thing to drink neat but in an effort to not look like a wuss in front of my date, I did my best. I switched to ordering from the menu after that but I’m sure with a bit clearer instructions on my part (or a question on the bartender’s) that ordering off-​menu would be fine.
Sadly, Dan was not around but there is hope for next time!

#558 I’m disappointed that my friend and I didn’t have the luxury of hanging out in Zenna past 8PM yesterday. I’m sure the place would have filled up much more to create a livelier ambiance for us to relish in. Regardless, the short 45 minutes we spent here convinced me that this place really knows what it’s doing. Though, first of all, the menu posted on their website does no justice to their actual menu. In fact, there were about five (!) different sections on the main menu, all focused around their own theme. I was immediately drawn to the «Spicy Cocktails» section because I’ve been hooked on spicy drinks ever since my first sip of Wynn’s 5-​Spiced Asian cocktail in Macau three years ago. And, I made sure to order their spiciest option — the Red Fort. Of course, the bartender warned me that it was incredibly spicy, but I pressed upon her the fact that the spicier, the better! Boy, did she deliver.
The cocktail came in a tall glass, garnished with a red chili pepper. It was chilled to perfection and I was eager for my first sip. It was so spicy, I actually coughed a little. But, over time, each sip became easier and easier to swallow. And, let me tell you, it was a deliciously sweet yet spicy concoction. I definitely recommend it. My friend, however, went in the complete opposite direction. She wanted a fruitier option and the bartender suggested the Coriander and Lychee cocktail. She loved it, but I found its flavors to be too subtle. I love a drink that can pack a punch to it and I didn’t find it so with either the coriander or the lychee bit of the cocktail. Now, I’ll admit, I find the £8 cost of each cocktail to be high, since Raoul’s back in Oxford offers even better drinks for just £6. But, knowing that I’m in London, I’m sure Zenna is actually rather affordable compared to most. Whether or not I’d return to Zenna, I don’t think so. There are just so many other places to frequent in London that I’m not ready to be tied down just yet.

Well, you know you’ve found a gem when you visit for the first time and then it lures you back another two times in the same week!
I have tried the House Nectar, the Vita and the Coriander and Lychee Daiquiri which were all fantastic, but the Daiquiri really stole my heart and is most definitely my new favourite cocktail EVER. Just trust me and try it. You take a few sips and think «Mmm, this is delicious but not very strong», a few sips later I think your slightly fuzzy head will disagree. These cocktails are designed to be savoured and get you the right kind of tipsy after just a few mouthfuls. They are mixed with love, fresh ingredients and served in ice cold glasses.
The bar itself is beautiful and while maintaining that up-​scale feel there is no hint of pretension. There are 3 ‘alcove’ areas with comfy seating and gold lamé cushions as well as some extra seats and tables opposite the bar, next to the DJ. I popped in on a Saturday night and the DJ was mixing in modern music, of which I have little to zero knowledge, with some old-​skool RnB and pop that took me back to my school days!
There were lots of very attractive people down there and everyone was enjoying themselves. The bartenders are friendly, chatty and talented in their trade.
Pop in for a drink, you won’t be disappointed.

Hands down the coolest cocktail bar I’ve been to in London.
The menu is wild, and the guy who created all of the drinks is an incredible bartender and is extremely proud of his creations. When people ordered special things, he took over the bar and absolutely went to town on those cocktails.
A fellow Unilocaler ordered their «Iliana,» touted as the spiciest cocktail in the world. It was 15 pounds and a serious undertaking. Our brave orderee had to sign a waiver absolving Zenna of responsibility for any effects of the drink. It was insane. I couldn’t believe it. The bartender lit some alcohol on fire in a glass and pour the flames into the drink. He then poured fire onto the bar. Didn’t seem safe… and he let it blaze for a while until blowing it out.
After drinking it, the brave Unilocaler seemed fine at first. After a while he said his stomach was hurting and he got a severe case of the hiccups. He then disappeared. We can only assume the drink burned him from the inside out and he’s laying in a back alley somewhere. RIP Andrew.
Anyways CHECK IN HERE because there is a free shot deal! Several people cashed in their vouchers and received their shots. I got to try the shot as well, and it was the spiciest thing I’ve ever drank. Very intense but I loved the fact that it wasn’t some normal shot that we were getting for free. They put time and effort into it.
The other drinks I ordered were the «House Nectar» and the «Vita.» The House Nectar is a mango-​type cocktail that went down very smooth. Very sweet but extremely delicious. The Vita was a very elaborate blood-​looking drink that had a bit of a kick to it but I slurped it right down.
This place only has one beer available. Not a knock on it, just saying. It’s the Kingfisher Lager which is served by the bottle, not the pint. It’s about four pounds which is too pricey for just a bottle so I’d hold off. It’s quite good, though.
Overall this place is just as spicy as they advertise. The environment is very modern and cool while the drinks give you that hot kick. I felt like I was soaking in a life story as I watched the bartender toss around his cocktails that he crafted with such care. A tear rolled down my cheek, fell into my drink, and it tasted that much better.

There is nothing about this bar that I don’t like.
It’s trendy
It’s romantic
It’s friendly
It’s classy
It’s cocktails are exceptional
It’s location is perfect
The cocktails are not only tasty and delicious, but they are well thought out too.
The space is small but used in a way that celebrates its size and make one feel like you are in a private club. Saying that, the first time I walked in, I felt like I had entered a scales down version of Home House, which is not a bad comparison but rather an accolade.
If you like your drinks to tastes like an exotic fruit juice, but have a kick like an angry mare, you are in the right place my friend.
Luxury at its best, with a side order of zen!

I’m gonna say this is the best cocktail bar in London! I love their unusual drinks! And pleasing to me that the ingredients aren’t opened out of a tin!
I have a particular fondness for the lyche coriander drink! It is pure pleasure. I could drink 100 of them. In fact, i may well have.
The staff are really really nice! Usually i’m served a drink like i’ve caused a bartenders nuisance, but here they’ll talk to you!
I must come back… like now. Having the mid-​day blues in the office. Cocktail please!

Entering this bar you are greeted with bowls of water filled with flowers and floating candles.
This is an exquisite Asian decorated bar which although quite small, has a lovely arched seating area and is richly decorated.
Being underground it feels cosy and is quiet. Well worth a visit as it is a perfect cocktail bar for a leisurely chat and a place to relax.
We tried a House Nectar cocktail and it has to be said it was extremely tasty.
This seems like a lovely bar which is on my list to visit again to sample some more of it’s delights.

Hidden gem. This is a venue that would be great to hire out for a function of say 30 guests (probably no more due to lack of seating area). I was here for a function and must say they had great food and cocktails and the owner Dan was friendly and at your beckoning call with answers to any questions you had. I would be interested to see how busy this place was on a weekend as to be honest there wasn’t much but a little sign outside the buiding to even know the place existed.

This place is delightful. Downstairs in a little cocktail underworld. Its delightful!
The staff are fabulous and very professional. Watching them make cocktails behind the bar is a great pleasure! As bar manager Dan will tell you they try to use the best ingredients for each concoction and its definitely apparent in the taste.
Seating areas in little tunnels off from the main bar, give this place a sexy, secret edge. I will definitely be thinking about this spot for next year’s birthday drinks and probably Friday night work cures between now and then.
Definitely worth a look!

very unassuming from the outside… casual dining upstairs and a bar/​lounge downstairs with a full bar. the drink menu is classic (but enticing) cocktails with an indian twist. i had the lychee and coriander daquiri. dangerously yummy — not as sweet as the smell and just a hint of coriander in the nose.
we also tried the starter platter (can’t remember if that was the actual name) which was solid chunks of salmon, chicken, prawns and veggies — 2 of each. the starter, water and 4 pieces of bread (not big like naan) totaled £45. it’s a bit much for my average evening dining but it’s a good contemporary take of indian flavors.

Walking down the hustle and bustle of Dean Street, you’d be forgiven for not even spotting Zenna. But behind this unassuming door, you’ll find a world of bizzarre cocktails and great tunes…
Zenna is a bit of a strange mix — Indian inspired cocktails and 90’s pop music, but I love both so I was onto a winner the moment I stepped down the stairs.
My tipple of choice — the coriander and lychee dacquiri. Just what I craved on a balmy London evening. After a lethal glass or two, I’d forgotten that I actually wasn’t all that keen on coriander! Luckily for me, it was just a hint, rather than a herb garden.
With cute alcoves and hide aways to drink and be merry in, it’s a great place to gossip or to take a date you don’t want to stand more than 2 inches away from.
Fun, cool, intimate and trendy. Not a 5* from me as, even though it was all fairly priced, it was still a little out of my price range. And a little too trendy. But if you find yourself in soho looking for a cocktail with a twist, Zenna’s the place to go…

Admittedly the cocktails here are good but two bad experiences have put me off Zenna. I booked an area in the bar for 20 people on a Saturday night and got a call 4 days before the event claiming that Zenna was actually closed for private hire that day. They claimed that the person who’d taken my booking hadn’t checked the system. Which might have been plausible if for the fact that a) two people contacted me to confirm the booking, once via phone and once via e-​mail and b) they didn’t seem to notice this until 5 days later.
The other time I went on a Saturday night when it was completely dead (not their fault really but makes me even more suspicious of the private hire story). On that occasion, they’d booked a table for me in the restaurant rather than the bar.

Gimmicks not needed… the cocktails stand on their own… I’ve found the cocktail diamond inn
Chi tea martini just Deeeevine, I originally wanted to try this place because they boost the hottest cocktail and you even have to sign a waver, whilst I didn’t try this it’s now on my hit list to go again and again… one of my victims, sorry I mean friends may try it
The only reason why this isn’t 5 stars is because i went on a Tuesday night and it just wasn’t busy so not enough of a vibe… watch this space as a weekend visit may secure it it’s next star!!!
But hey, even if it doesn’t get that next star, this is sooooo now my cocktail master

We went here for the launch party and they had a selection of the cocktails on offer for us to sample, including the second hottest, which my partner tried. This ‘Red Fort’ cocktail was almost more savoury (which is fine by me as a lot of so-​called cocktails can be too teeth-​suckingly sweet) with a powerful kick. Sadly the heat overpowered everything else in the drink and was a little bit too peppery. Almost like someone had added a bit to much tabasco. Which is awesome if you like that kind of thing (and I do most of the time). But my partner wasn’t massively into.
My Garden Martini was lovely and fresh — although technically on the ‘spicy’ list there’s not heat in it.
Now at this point the owner came over to say hello. He told us about his plans for a Lassi bar in the summer and how the hottest cocktail in the world comes with its own foaming (and alcoholic) ‘fire extinguisher’ side cocktail. Sadly we didn’t get the sample it — but it sounds crazy.
As it’s underneath a very good Indian Restaurant it benefits from using its kitchen for bar snacks. These were incredible, definitely try the lamb, and made me want to go to the restaurant upstairs.
The part where Zenna falls down is that it’s quite dark and, as it’s underground, it was quite warm down there (plus the hot cocktails don’t help in that regard). Perfect for now, probably not so much when it gets warmer outside.
I’d recommend that you go and try the hot cocktail, but then you’ll probably want to go to a pub and have a pint somewhere with windows.