Christoff.ai

Ladies & Gentlemen

bars•
London
London

Ladies & Gentlemen

2 Highgate Rd, London NW5 1NR, United Kingdom

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Christoff

Christoff's Take

Insider review

Hidden beneath Highgate Road in what were once Victorian public toilets, Ladies & Gentlemen has transformed an utterly bizarre location into one of London's most talked-about speakeasies. This subterranean cocktail den combines on-site distilling with 1920s glamour, creating something genuinely unique in the capital's crowded bar scene.

Ladies & Gentlemen: London's Most Unusual Speakeasy Location

Where Victorian loos meet house-distilled spirits in Kentish Town's underground gem

My Honest Review

Atmosphere & Ambiance

Descending into Ladies & Gentlemen feels like discovering a secret world beneath the streets of Kentish Town. The converted Victorian toilet space has been masterfully transformed into mood-lit V-shaped rooms that channel authentic 1920s speakeasy energy. Vintage fittings blend seamlessly with neon signage, creating an atmosphere that's both nostalgic and contemporary. The fire-lit space maintains that cozy, intimate feeling that makes this feel like a genuine hidden gem rather than a contrived theme bar. Live jazz piano provides the perfect soundtrack, adding sophistication without overwhelming conversation. The micro-distillery visible on-site adds an industrial element that reminds you this isn't just about aesthetics – they're serious about their craft. With a uniqueness score of 9.5/10, the venue delivers on its promise of being something genuinely different. The underground setting creates natural intimacy, though the space fills quickly given its compact size.

Food & Drink

The liquid program is clearly the star here, built around their house-distilled gin and vodka produced in the on-site micro-distillery. Seasonal cocktails are priced at £8-9 each, which represents solid value for craft cocktails in London. Signature serves like the 5 Boroughs (bourbon, lapsang, absinthe) and Emerald City Sour (Poitín, chartreuse) showcase creative combinations that go beyond standard speakeasy fare. The rotating boilermaker selection adds variety for those preferring beer and spirit pairings. For spirit enthusiasts, the Gin Club experience includes guided tastings plus a take-home bottle, making it excellent value for serious drinkers. Light bar bites are available to complement the liquid focus, though the venue clearly positions itself as drinks-first. The house-distilled spirits forming the backbone of their program genuinely sets them apart from venues simply buying in premium bottles.

Service & Experience

Staff enthusiasm comes through clearly, with table service provided throughout the cozy space. The team appears knowledgeable about their house-distilled spirits and seasonal cocktail program, which is essential given the craft focus. Service seems well-suited to the intimate speakeasy setting, maintaining the mood while ensuring guests are looked after. However, practical limitations become apparent during busy periods – no bookings are accepted after 9:30pm on weekends, shifting to walk-in only when demand peaks.

Value for Money

At £8-9 per cocktail, Ladies & Gentlemen offers reasonable pricing for London's craft cocktail scene, especially considering the house-distilled spirits and unique setting. The venue tags itself as 'affordable-for-london' and 'value-for-craft-cocktails,' which feels accurate given what you're getting. Student-friendly happy hour pricing makes it accessible beyond the usual cocktail crowd. The Gin Club experience provides excellent value for spirit enthusiasts wanting to deepen their knowledge while taking something home. Given the uniqueness of the setting, quality of house-distilled spirits, and live jazz entertainment, the pricing feels fair rather than exploitative of the novelty factor.

Insider Tips

Best Time to Visit

Arrive before 8:30pm on weekends to avoid queues, as the space fills quickly after 9:30pm when they stop taking reservations. Monday through Thursday evenings offer the most relaxed experience. The venue operates 5pm-11:30pm Monday-Thursday, 5pm-late Friday, and 5pm-2am weekends.

What to Focus On

Start with one of their signature cocktails featuring house-distilled spirits – the 5 Boroughs or Emerald City Sour showcase their distilling skills. Serious gin lovers should consider the Gin Club experience for guided tastings and a take-home bottle. Rotating boilermakers offer good value for those wanting something less cocktail-focused.

Christoff's Insider Tips

Queue up before 8:30pm to secure the corner table near the micro-distillery for the best view of the operationFollow their Instagram @ladiesandgentlemenbar for updates on seasonal cocktail rotationsThe venue is just 3 minutes from Kentish Town tube, with buses from Highgate/Archway stopping right outside for easy access

The Final Verdict

Ladies & Gentlemen succeeds because it backs up its unusual concept with genuine substance. The house-distilled spirits aren't just a gimmick – they form the foundation of a thoughtful cocktail program that justifies the journey to Kentish Town. While the converted Victorian toilet location might sound off-putting, the execution creates genuine atmosphere rather than relying on novelty alone. The combination of live jazz, craft cocktails, and intimate setting delivers on the speakeasy promise. Yes, it gets crowded and you might queue, but that's partly because they've created something special in a small space. The pricing remains reasonable for what you get, making it accessible beyond cocktail obsessives.

Christoff's Rating:
8.2/10

Perfect For:

cocktail enthusiasts seeking house-distilled spiritscouples looking for intimate date night venuesjazz lovers wanting live music with quality drinks

Quick Details

1

Ladies & Gentlemen

⭐️ Converted toilets
⭐️ House distilled spirits
⭐️ Live jazz piano
🏘️ Neighborhood secret

Converted Victorian public toilets might sound grim, but Ladies & Gentlemen has transformed this underground space into Kentish Town's most charming secret. The micro-distillery produces house-distilled gin and vodka that form the backbone of seasonal cocktails priced at just £8-9, making craft spirits surprisingly accessible. V-shaped rooms decked in vintage fittings and neon signage create intimate 1920s glamour, while live jazz piano sets provide the perfect soundtrack for conversations over their signature serves like the 5 Boroughs. The fire-lit space attracts enthusiastic locals who've discovered something genuinely special beyond the tourist zones. Weekend queues after 9:30pm prove this worst-kept secret is worth protecting, while the cozy atmosphere makes every visit feel like joining a neighborhood conspiracy.

What's Great

✓ House-distilled gin and vodka crafted on-site in converted Victorian toilets

✓ Live jazz piano creates intimate 1920s speakeasy energy in mood-lit underground rooms

Keep in Mind

× Tiny space fills up fast with weekend queues after 9:30pm

Christoff

Christoff's Tip:

Queue up before 8:30pm to secure the corner table near the micro-distillery

Vibe check scores

Trendiness
Sophistication
Noise Level
Uniqueness

Venue details

🕐"Mon-Thu: 5pm-11:30pm\nFri: 5pm-late\nSat-Sun: 5pm-2am"
📍2 Highgate Rd, London NW5 1NR, United Kingdom
💷£££
📞+44 20 7813 7562
🌐Website

Featured In My Guides

Ladies & Gentlemen has been featured in 1 of my curated guides. Here's where you can find more context and discover similar spots.

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