Fancy travelling all around Latin America, all in the same night, without even having to jump on a plane? A new cocktail bar in Notting Hill is offering up that chance through the lens of taste. The cocktails in Viajante87 are inspired by the diverse cultures across the continent, immersing guests as they evolve from travellers to locals.
The bar comes courtesy of the team behind Los Mochis, a local favourite Mexican/Japanese restaurant in Notting Hill. And they’ve also got some pretty hefty prestige behind the bar. The relaunch has brought Pietro Collina, previously of renowned New York spots like Eleven Madison Park and NoMad New York Best and later directed bars at London Claridge’s Davies & Brook and Europe’s first NoMad London, as Viajante87’s new Bar Director. Pietro along with new Brand Manager Veronica Di Pietrantonio, who previously managed Mr. Lyan’s Dandelyan and launched Lyaness, are using their expertise to take guests on a journey through Latin America.
Guests are invited to descend into the bar where they can watch mixologists work their magic with agave-based cocktails from a collection that boasts over 300 tequilas and mezcals. It’s all rather darkly-lit and moodily sexy, and, yes, you did read that last line correctly.
Inside Viajante87
Utter the words ‘basement bar’ and a certain image springs to mind. You imagine too-low ceilings, sticky floors, cluttered environs, and a weird smell that you can’t pinpoint the origin of. But such is not the case at Viajante87. I mean, obviously, we wouldn’t typically direct our readers to bars that smell bad. Or at least we try not to.
When you descend the stairs into Viajante87, it’s texture that springs to mind. Cork walls undulate around velvet seating wrapped in cool toned shades of teal and brown. Meanwhile, the bar, which is made from recycled bottles, commands attention immediately upon arriving. The vibe is moody without being angsty, and low-lit without being dark. It is, in a word, gorgeous. And with seating for up to 100, it strikes the balance between intimacy without being devoid of life, and pleasant hubbub.
The drinks
Viajante translates to traveller or explorer, and through the menu, you’re invited to explore the natural world around you. The innovative menu is divided into five sections, each embodying a unique adventure, with permanent drinks but also an exciting moving section where each month different drinks from different regions of Latin America will be given a spotlight.
Among the cocktails to keep an eye out for on your visit are the The Ya Esta which is a Latin twist on the Last Word cocktail, combining Tapatio 110 Tequila and the lesser-known Mexican Nocheluna sotol instead of the usual gin, lime, maraschino, and chartreuse; and the Lúcuma Colada where Horchata coconut cream and Lúcuma fruit give the classic piña colada a twist.
If you’re absolutely not an agave fan, the Glacier Martini, inspired by glacial fjords in Patagonia, which uses grapes and plums grown in the fertile area, will have you sorted. The bar adds a touch of glycerine to drop the temperature to below -20C, making it perhaps the coldest martini in London.
Named after the 90’s TV sh0w, the 90210 stems from Argentina, where ‘Fernet and Coke’ is a staple. The drink originally contained 9 parts Fernet, 2 ice cubes, and 1 part coke. However, at Viajante87 they’ve decided to make the tipple a touch smoother, utilizing discarded Cascara Vermouth, Ayuk, and lemon.
A night at Viajante87
There’s not yet a food menu – although we’re told an announcement is coming soon. In the meantime, however, bar snacks include the likes of spicy salmon crispy rice which is an absolute must-try, truffle and guacamole crispy rice, Wagyu steak tartare taco-makis, and more. What? You weren’t expecting crisps, were you?
The bar also highly values music, with an emphasis on Latin-inspired playlists and talented DJs. With the bar set to stay open until 2am on the weekends, you can expect plenty of DJ nights with unique, melodic, beats. There’s no stuffiness here. They’re serious about what they do, but a night in this agave haunt is far from a serious affair.
Any debates on where to go for your next cocktail are now moot. It’s simply a must that you try out Notting Hill’s Viajante87. Head downstairs for a special voyage. See you there?