Tuesday 21 December 2010

Tony for Hedonists Guides

Tony interviewed for Hedonist's guides, and talking through some drinks from the bar with no name...


http://hg2blog.wordpress.com/2010/12/13/drink-up-on-the-record/

Tony demonstrates drinks for Henrietta for the Guardian

Tony helps Henrietta from the Rare Tea Company rekindle her past with a reworking of the Buck's Fizz

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/video/2010/dec/20/christmas-bucks-fizz-cocktails

Saturday 18 December 2010

new year's eve at the bar with no name


We are delighted to invite you aboard for the 69 Colebrooke Cruise! What better way to usher in the new year than with a luxury liner party. The proceedings will kick off at 8pm, and for a mere £85 an all inclusive affair will whisk you away singing and dancing long into the night. Call or email for more details!

Tuesday 7 December 2010

Stage Program begins at 69 colebrooke row

The bar with no name at 69 Colebrooke Row and Drink Factory are very pleased to offer the unique opportunity of a Stage position within the bar and the lab.

The positions will be open to both bartenders and students of Cocktail and Food Science, and will offer periods of time to work alongside Tony C and the award winning team of 69 Colebrooke Row aiding and shadowing the research and development- giving an exclusive insight into this unique setting.

Apprentices will not only be trained on the happenings and equipment within the lab, they will also get the opportunity to see these realized within the bar environment.
This will provide a rare view of the unique process of concept formation, development and implication of ideas.

The position will provide a rare opportunity to learn from leaders in the field of cocktail science, be involved within pioneering projects, and will help the understudies develop a unique set of skills and gain invaluable experience.


Apprenticeship duration will last one to two weeks.
Applicants can apply here

New products on sale



Perfectly in time for Christmas, we have a few extra items on offer from the bar with no name. Brilliant gifts, or a personal treat!

We have recently taken delivery of the much awaited official 69 Colebrooke Row T-shirts. Those who wish to express their love can now do so to much the envy of their friends for the bargain price of £15. Also available are the 69 cocktail prints- on display throughout the bar, there are a series of styles and sizes available. Come down and take a look!

Monday 6 December 2010

Christmas at the bar with no name


We will be hosting our official Christmas party on Sunday 19th December where all things festive will be on show. Special guests, music, egg nog, mince pies, mistletoe and a party only 69 Colebrooke Row can provide will help prepare guests for the festive week before we close up for the holidays.

Merry Christmas from all at 69!

Sunday 5 December 2010

Live Music Sunday 5th December











This Sunday, we are pleased to announce the latest act in our series of musical Sundays. From 7.30pm we will have labelmates Stac & Scrimshire performing a very special live acoustic set. This is set to be a very exciting event, so be sure to grab up seats early!

Christmas closing dates


Unfortunately- although we are the first choice for whom you'd all love to spend your Christmas with- we will be closed for a few days over Christmas. This will be from the 24th til the 27th, so the post Christmas stress can be relieved with a cocktail from the 28th. Those wishing to prepare themselves for Christmas fun should book in for our PARTY

Saturday 4 December 2010

Buchi Rotovap offer for friends of the bar with no name

Beginner's Masterclass

On January 15th we will be holding a beginner's masterclass. This will be an opportunity to learn direct from our team of award winning bartenders where we will cover basics of bartending techniques and also an introduction to the basis of mixing drinks and drink design. The class will introduce the fundamentals of mixing cocktails but so will be perfect for those wishing to understand the craft of the cocktail, but will also be invaluable to those who are wishing to garner a more technical development. Places will be limited, so call or email to reserve a space.

Saturday 27 November 2010

Peter Dorelli and a famous White Lady



Whilst a guest and close friend of the bar with no name, Peter is also deservedly well known as a Bartending Guru, so it was to him we turned for help on perfecting the White Lady cocktail. A simple combination of Gin, lemon and triple sec, bound together with egg white, it requires a delicate balance to ensure all the flavours are in harmony, and who better to demonstrate this than Mr Dorelli himself! Needless to say, it was a special experience, and Matteo was on hand to assist in a faultless and unforgettable lesson in the nuances of the drink. Our thanks!

Thursday 25 November 2010

Thanks!(giving)


Following a sold-out masterclass (attended by a fantastic group including TimeOut ) where we explored all American cocktails, we bring the celebrations back to the day itself and have a great evening of drinks to dismiss the chilly weather. Our ever popular take on Dale DeGroff's Egg Nog recipe will be on offer as will be some special Pecan Pie from the lovely folk down at the Charles Lamb. Join us tonight, and of course, house pianist Maurice will be providing the perfect accompanyment from 8. See you soon!

Pernod Absinthe Competition


Tuesday saw the regional heats for West London and Islington held at the bar with no name. Teams representing each bar presented two drinks, one simple and universal, the other as creative as desired. As to be expected, a variety of interesting drinks evolved, ranging from sweet to savoury, hot to cold and liquid to solid. In the end, the standard was so high, 5 went through- including Ryan and Marcis Dzelz8nis representing 69 Colebrooke Row. Details of the Grand Final are due to follow, but rumours suggest the focus will be on creativity so it is likely the lab equipment will be at the fore again...

69 Colebrooke Row at Whisky Picnic 2010



In honour of the event and its promotion of whisky, and for the very important charitable efforts of Movember, Ryan and Stu travelled to Edinburgh with the KitchenAid and a crate of separated Talisker (split using the rotovap into a heavy wooded end, and the lighter, alcoholic distillate) for this year's Whisky Picnic to create an experience only the bar with no name can offer!

The KitchenAid battled with the masses throughout the evening making dry ice ice cream using the peated, wooded distillate which was coupled with a peated raspberry sauce. Needless to say, it was a popular offering. Meanwhile, the white dog was mixed into a 'turbo oldfashioned whisky n coke' with hard boiled candies. The Colebrooke experience went down a storm- notably finding a fan in Charlie Boorman. A hugely enjoyable evening with much promotion of the joys of whisky and also the awareness of men's health issues. More photos to follow!

Tuesday 16 November 2010

The Silver Mountain at the bar with no name



As minor changes creep into the new menu, we now feature the Silver Mountain; as fresh and so clean as they come, it is perfect as an aperitif, but also as a palate refresher later on into the evening. Featuring KIGO and the much sought-after white silver tip tea and a hint of cassis. Simply stirred down and served straight up, the drink is subtle and clean- teetering between the savoury/sweet balance of KIGO and the melon/peach notes and gentle tannins from the tea, all rounded by a green tip from the cassis. Fresh as a mountain stream!

Friday 5 November 2010

Tom Nichol hosts an intimate drinks pairing at the bar with no name



Tom Nichol came down to visit again during cocktail week for an evening showcasing gin and its capabilities to pair with food. Featuring a specially designed cocktail and a series of accompanying bites, each chosen to pair with the eight botanicals in Tanqueray No.Ten.
Tom has been distilling for many years and now as master distiller for Tanqueray he is responsible for creating one of the most recognised brands in the world and ensuring a consistent product that lives up to its reputation. Tom gave a personal account of his experiences and an insight into the world of distillation before explaining how his hand is demonstrated in the final product. His expertise allowed each of the guests to understand the botanicals employed and allow them to get the most from the food pairings. This was then rounded off with the cocktail - Rana's Salute- which highlighted the flavour profile of the gin, but also how it works well as a product to not only use in cocktails, but also to pair with food.

Wednesday 3 November 2010

Dia de los Muertos






Halloween jubilation reached the bar with no name in the form of our day of the dead festival. Face paint, shrines and skeleton jammies provided the perfect backdrop for the merriment accompanied by specially designed cocktails including pumpkin bellini and el diablo. The procession from the Charles Lamb arrived with pumpkins and coffin in tow, and the celebrations carried late into the night played out with live mariachi band

Tony and 69 Colebrooke Row on Quintessentially TV

QUINTESSENTIALLY | Insider | Masterful Mixology at 69 Colebrooke Road

Tuesday 2 November 2010

Halloween Masterclass



A very busy masterclass accompanied the build up to our day of the dead celebrations. Demonstrating a series of ghoulish cocktails befitting the event, the guests were taken through techniques and tips of how to create the drinks at home and the history and motivations behind each drink- incorporating a mix of classic and house cocktails. Each person then had a chance to come up and have a go at mixing themselves and earn themselves a coveted I LOVE COCKTAIL sticker- and a tasty libation from their own hand. Keep posted for forthcoming masterclasses or get in touch direct

Beefeater Talk with Desmond Payne


As to be expected, the talk with Beefeater Master Distiller Desmond Payne and Global Brand Ambassador Dan Warner went down a storm. Introduced by Tony, Dan gave a brief history of the gin category documenting its roots in Dutch alchemy and Royalty before its unfortunate demise in 18th Century Britain. Desmond then brought us into the 21st Century and gin's return to grace enlightening us with the rationale behind his own creation- Beefeater 24. Of course, to coincide, a series of very special Beefeater 24 cocktails were on offer that all enjoyed. Keep watching for further events

Wednesday 27 October 2010

All Hallows Eve

In Mexico, The Day of the Dead is a day of celebration. Loved ones gather to remember those who have passed on.
To sing, dance and feast in their honour. Death is not seen as an end, but the beginning of a journey of transcendence. This is the day on which we communicate with our beloved travellers.

Elaborate dress, flowers, trinkets and laughter all illuminate the spirits of those who have crossed but returned, for this day, to celebrate with us in the jovial haunting of Halloween.
Ladies, gentlemen, join us Sunday 31st of October on All Hallows Eve to help celebrate the dead and help them rise, to dance, for this one night.

How the celebrations will begin:

~El Dia de Los Muertos Halloween Celebration at 69 Colebrooke Row~

Meeting for gruel at The Charles Lamb Pub at 6.30 pm, the damned mob will zombie march to The Bar With No Name where the evening's fiendish festivities await. Costumes, snacks, spooky Halloween cocktails [see below] and live entertainment ensure this to be an evening that will go down in Colebrooke history.

Please come in your finest Day of the Dead garb. Skeletons, catrinas, ghosts, ghouls, vampires, mummies (and daddies) all welcome.

Tuesday 26 October 2010

Rumfest after party




The celebrations of rumfest became somewhat eclipsed by the series of successes over the weekend (see below for more details), but the day's proceedings went down a storm. The day began early with Cuban food served outside with our authentically (we are informed) decorated street, followed by live Cuban music and of course, lashings of Cuban rum in the form of special Havana Club cocktails.

Guests were treated to specially prepared Havana Blanco Mojito Sorbet created earlier with a batch of dry ice, mint hydrosol and lime.


Frozen Mulata daiquiris, dry ice hemingways, vintage El Pres... the drinks flowed and the dancing ensued whilst the sun shone graciously on us. As the evening rolled around, news of our trophy reached the hoards and a truly rum filled party escalated long into the night. A night to remember!

Wednesday 20 October 2010

Beefeater Gin talk with Desmond Payne and Dan Warner


This Monday the 25th, we are very pleased to welcome back to the bar with no name Master Distiller (and a man with a huge heritage in gin production) Desmond Payne and Global Brand Ambassador Dan Warner for an evening of all things Beefeater. The talk will document the long, illustrious path of London's home grown gin and Beefeater's integral role to the category.

The talk will commence at 5 and not only cast light on gin and its place within British History but also how gin can be used in classic and modern cocktails- culminating in a showcase of bespoke Beefeater drinks.
Places will be limited and with no cover charge, booking early is advised. Not one to be missed!

Tuesday 19 October 2010

Tony interviewed on London Cocktail Society

The Interview: Tony Conigliario
Posted on September 16, 2010 by mark

Mark Gill talks with Tony Conigliaro, cocktail maestro and owner of 69 Colebrooke Row:

Despite visiting his bar several times I had yet to meet Tony in person, so I was excited about the prospect of talking to a man I’d read so much about. As it turned out, Tony doesn’t play up to his ‘celebrity bartender’ status, in spite of usually being referred to as the Heston Blumenthal of the bartending world. When he arrived, business carried on as normal as he quietly took a seat to one side of the bar. I was intrigued by this understated presence so took the opportunity to introduce myself and get chatting.

Process not product

I quickly realised that the concept of celebrity is not something that appeals to Tony. For him the focus should be on the cocktails. Surprisingly his attitude seems to be less about the finished, and sometimes extraordinary, end product and more about the process of creation.

However, don’t underestimate the almost superhuman effort Tony and his team go to to achieve perfect flavour. For that’s the thing with cocktails. Unlike food, they tend not to attract pretentious talk of provenance and although things like mouth-feel are important, it mostly comes down to one thing: flavour and its balance.

If it were possible to be addicted to flavour perfection, I reckon Tony would be among the more serious cases. Often spending 10-12 hours a day in his lab upstairs, his quest seems never-ending. He tells me that he recently spent two years creating a drink because he couldn’t get it quite right. Then, when he had finally perfected it, he was given a blocking order by a major spirit producer to prevent him from serving, or even talking about it!
Science as art

Originally from an arts background, it’s easy to understand why the creative process is so important to him – something I find interesting considering his current preference for using scientific techniques. Tony believes this combination, and the fact that he has never trained as a scientist, gives him a unique ability to think outside the box and create drinks that have never been tried before.

If you’re aware of 69 Colebrooke Row’s reputation for molecular mixology, you would be forgiven for anticipating the drinks to be on the ‘weird’ side. In fact, this couldn’t be further from the truth. For Tony, these techniques are not about creating drinks as theatre but about using them to make drinks that taste the best they possibly can. Which is why the ‘science part’ takes place behind closed doors and not front of house.

A good example of this philosophy is the house Bloody Mary. The only ‘twist’ here is that each ingredient is fine tuned to enhance the drink, with the key to it’s unique flavour being the horseradish vodka. Tony takes raw horseradish and vodka, then redistills it in a rotavapour, which uses low pressure and temperature, to produce a vodka that tastes like nothing I have ever experienced.

On smelling and tasting this creation for the first time, I noticed not the heat of the horseradish or vodka but the deep vegetal notes, which impart a depth of flavour quite unlike a ‘normal’ marination. On top of this, homemade celery salt and tabasco is used. I quiz Tony on the tomatoes he uses, asking if he presses his own he simply says “no”. I’m surprised. “Surely you don’t buy them off the shelf?” I ask. Another simple “No” in response, but this time there is a glint in his eye, telling me something special is probably done to these tomatoes but he isn’t about to tell me.
The drinks not the man

Unlike other eating and drinking establishments with world-famous owners, 69 Colebrooke Row is not all about Tony Conigliario. The real star of the show here are the drinks. I leave with just as many questions as I enter, but the interim has been a passage of discovery that leaves me hungry for more. Tony is a complex and interesting man but there is one question the answer to which tells me all I really need to know. “Do you ever get an urge to get back behind the bar?” I ask, after Tony tells me how long he spends in the lab. “Oh yes” is his reply, with a smile and a glance at the bar.

Scientist, artist, inventor, host; above all Tony Conigliaro is a bartender.

The Bar With No Name and the Weekend of Win



And The OFM Winner for Best Place to Drink is... Thank You!

Thank you to the Observer, to it's esteemed readers and writers, and a huge thank you to everyone of our customers over the past year that deemed us worthy of their vote.

The accolade of an Observer Food Monthly Awards gong is a genuine honour indeed ~ thank you!

Also over the weekend, the bar with no name picked up the award for Best New Bar at Class! Up against very fierce opposition, we were very pleased to receive the award.




To add to the celebrations, Ryan battled with the creme of bartenders from around the UK for the national final of the No.3 Gin competition and walked away with top spot!
See you soon!

Camille, Tony and the Team ~ X

Friday 15 October 2010

HAVANA RUM FEST at 69 COLEBROOKE ROW


Saturday, 17 October beginning at 2pm -

The festivities will flow inside Colebrooke and into the heated street through the evening with live Latin Funk by Motimba, Cuban food, Havana Cocktails, Mojito Sherbet and more!

Families welcome, we just ask you to tuck the little ones away by 7pm.

We hope you will all come join us and Celebrate Havana Club and 69 Colebrooke Row's recent winning of the OFM award!

Tuesday 12 October 2010

Vintage manhattan part two





The secondary ageing is furthermore developing well. Now into a deep amber colour, the sweet notes of oak are mingling well with the previously steely Manhattan.
A certain oilyness is also apparent as the wood leaches into the spirit- an aspect which can be seen in non-chill filtered products. A slight clouding can be expected when the drink is mixed.

Interestingly, the light wood infusion has developed more with the bourbon notes- a sweeter medley of vanilla, lemon fudge and eucalyptus on the nose whereas the dark wood has marched further down the richer route, with tobacco and christmas spices evident but playing much more into the vermouth.

New drinks at the bar with no name

There are a few additions to the menu as the best of the summer weather fades away. The light, crisp and fresh Elegante has been replaced by the house Bloody Mary- a rich, spicy autumal alternative that is more fitting of the cooler months. Based upon the bar's cold distilled Horseradish Vodka, it also features a black pepper distillate for a touch of complex heat, a homemade, aged Habanero pepper sauce for a rich, deep flavour, worcestershire sauce, homemade celery salt and the house tomato blend (which all excited a certain Heston Blumenthal on a recent visit)
In addition, we also have the return of the Vintage El Presidente (much to the joy of several guests- several times, the quote "the best drink in the world" has earnestly been bandied around) building up to the phenomenal 1 year vintage due at Rumfest.

Wednesday 6 October 2010

Live Gypsy Jazz Sunday with



This Sunday, 10 October, 69 Colebrooke Row hosts Viper's Dream, playing the forever vibrant and swinging music of Django Reinhardt in the style commonly known as hot club gypsy jazz. Featuring tight interplay between guitar and fiddle, Viper's Dream conjures up images of times past while simultaneously providing a fresh interpretation of classic tunes. We hope you'll swing down to enjoy the evening with us - Music starts at 8! Also, introducting 2 new cocktails to the menu.

Sunday 3 October 2010

Chrysanthemum distillate (almost)

Dia de los Muertos approaches, and attempts to find a fitting drink to accompany lent an eye being cast towards Chrysanthemums. Symbolic and representative of death (but not deadly), they befell the fate of being drowned and passed through the Rotovap. Initially a deep green/black, the crystal clear liquor that came off was separated into heads, hearts and tails (L-R) to determine where the true essence of the flower resided. As water was added, the oleoresin present in the distillates louched a gentle cloudiness (notice the lack of louche within the end cut) and opened up the aroma. However, despite a noticeable difference between the cuts, and interesting aromas of glasshouses, humid foliage and gentle aromatics, the delicate floral notes were lost. An informative failure; 69 Colebrooke Row- human after all!

Many happy returns!

The weekend saw the bar with no name welcome a series of celebrations for Cami and Tony who were both celebrating their 21st birthdays with a mere day betwixt each other. Positioned just prior to a busy period of talks at the Berlin Bar Convent, a warm convivial party atmosphere permeated the weekend nonetheless. Bonnes Anniversaires!

Staff Luncheon

As the busy season creeps up on us, the Colebrooke crew head to Bistrot Bruno Loubet at the Zetter Hotel for a team lunch to discuss the season at hand.

Apart from the amazing food and service, the staff were also more than accepting of our tom-foolery. See photographic evidence below:











We then moved on to a tour of Clerkenwell, guided by none other than our very own Tony C, full of knowledge about the old Gin distilleries and the changing trades that used to occupy the area…

Friday 1 October 2010

Damson Gin: the bar with no name VS the Charles Lamb

The gauntlet has been thrown!

As Autumn roles around, wild plum trees yield fresh damson berries and the stroll towards the winter period begins, the two venues are busy preparing batches of homemade Damson Gin. Who will create better results though? The bar with no name are utilising their knowledge gained from work in the lab so are bringing a new school method to the mix whilst the Charles Lamb are sticking with the more traditional (slow) techniques. All bets are on.

Staff win Prizes!

Competition success is following the 69 staff, with Ryan winning regional finals in both the N0.3 Gin and 209 Gin competitions to make it through to the National finals of each over the next few weeks.

Meanwhile, Stu took top honours at the Pernod Ricard competition- Free Pour- fighting off high standards from competitors around the country to place first and win himself a trip to Cuba and the title of Lord of the Free Pour.

Congrats!

Kigo and the bar with no name with Roland Mouret

Kigo and 69 Colebrooke Row sponsored the hotly anticipated launch of the inaugural men’s collection from distinguished designer Roland Mouret.
Featuring bespoke Kigo cocktails designed by Tony, the drinks formed an elegant backbone to a sophisticated evening.
'The Miracle' featured green tea and mint infused Kigo stirred down with Grey Goose and garnished with an origami fan.

Legendary Drinkers through the bar with no name



We’d like to highlight a few of our international guests who cannot make it into the bar on a regular basis, but when the opportunity arises, are sure to be found at the bar with no name.

Heath is well known throughout many of the bars around the world, and is identifiable by his dapper attire and knowledge of classic libations. An eclectic palate and sophisticated drinker, we ask those who have the opportunity to host him to greet him cordially and enjoy his witty charm.

Also a regular to grace the bar again was Ernesto. Hailing from Mexico he once again visited us within the bar for the duration of his trip. Particularly interesting on this occasion was his unique ordering- not only asking for recommendations and any favourites of the moment, he would follow each choice with a contrasting request; a Communist was followed by a call for a Capitalist, a rich drink followed by a request for a poor drink... Again, if you have the pleasure to encounter him, send him our regards and look after him well. He even brought us presents from Mexico!

Sunday 26 September 2010

Live music- tonight! Sunday 26th September!

Tonight we welcome to the bar with no name the first appearance of The Jazz in Paris Project. Live tonight from 8.30


An introduction:
The Jazz In Paris project is French-American singer eVe Buigues accompanied by Scottish guitarist Kevin Glasgow. The Jazz In Paris Project bring a fresh and innovative approach to jazz with their original French adaptations of familiar jazz tunes, their unique take on traditional standards, and their smooth versions of unexpected hit songs such as The Eurythmics' Sweet Dreams and Prince's quintessential Kiss.
In a charming, unassuming way, The Jazz in Paris Project bring a touch of class and the enticing sound of Parisian romance to any event. A former Los Angeles resident, eVe Buigues is well-known for her singing work on various American TV series (Jag, Andy Richter Controls The Universe), films (Notorious C.H.O., The Antwone Fisher Story), and major artists' albums (Michael Jackson, Rodney Jerkins). A prolific songwriter, she recorded three full-length albums with LA band Jariya, and the soundtrack for several films featuring star comedian Margaret CHO (Notorious C.H.O, Revolution, I'm The One That I Want, Bam Bam and Celeste, The Grocery Store), as well as for the History Channel, Star Crossed, and Joe Black's School of Rock.

Website

Promo video