Sometimes when you go out, you occasionally wish you could be sitting on a sofa, in a friend’s house, chilling out with a few drinks. Ninetyeight fulfils this fantasy and a whole lot more.

The Venue
To say that Ninetyeight is unusual would be an understatement. Situated on Curtain Road, alongside a collection of cool bars, it is quite a tricky find. If you look for Morrell House then you are on to the right track (it's in the basement). As you descend the twisty iron staircase into the bar, nothing can prepare you for the wonder that is Ninetyeight. The bar is situated on your left, so get a drink first to brace yourself as you go on an adventure to discover every quirky nook and cranny.

Everywhere you look, something catches your eyes. From the glass jars filled with gumballs, candy canes, Liquorice Allsorts and chocolate eyeballs, to the feather lampshades, there’s always a peculiar feature to be fascinated by.

As you walk further in, the decor becomes more fantastical. The atrium part is home to an old-fashioned baby grand piano, with a crown sitting upon it and a large tree to the side. Right at the back, it feels like a private room as it is dark and brooding with a more relaxed atmosphere. There are a collection of unbelievably comfy vintage chairs scattered throughout the place, but you can also relax on a chaise longue. And not a battered chesterfield in sight. The most striking part of this room is a not-in-use cherub water feature, which has two marble lions guarding it. It’s these weird and wonderful oddities that helps make it so special.

The Atmosphere
Ninetyeight conjures up ideas of the ultimate house party; there are plenty of amazing places to sit and chat, cool tunes and wonderful drinks to enhance this feeling. The bar staff are professional and delightfully chatty whilst they concoct cocktails in front of your eyes, explaining the process as they make it. This makes you feel relaxed and that’s an enviable quality to have in a bar. As it's in Shoreditch, expect to find a very trendy, media-savvy, on-the-pulse crowd.

The Drink
With exceptional mixologists in place at Ninetyeight, the polite thing to do is sample one. All cocktails are £9 and have ingredients which you probably haven’t had all together, like the Good Old-Fashioned Sunday Roast. A sprig of rosemary and shave of orange poke out of this clear drink, and once you take a sip, you will crave a side of roasties with it. It’s smooth, original and has oregano and rosemary-infused within, making it a wondrous drink. The Strawberry Bean is another clever cocktail. Served in a petite glass teapot with matching cup, it has a hit of intense strawberry followed by a chocolate aftertaste, thanks to the inclusion of roasted coffee beans.

The Last Word
Ninetyeight’s idiosyncratic design will make it a hit in an area that loves a cool new concept - as will its sensory-twisting cocktails. Enjoy it while you can because, as soon as word is out, this’ll be one house party everyone will want an invite to.

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