Nightjar

Nightjar is a basement bar on City Road near Old Street, dressed in dark panelling, leather and candlelight. The menu is split by era, from pre-Prohibition to post-war, and the drinks arrive heavily garnished. A sister bar opened near Carnaby Street in 2022.

Live music starts at 21:00 with 1920s to 1940s jazz, blues and swing, and the late set on Friday and Saturday carries a £6 cover. It is seated only, so book: weekend groups top out at eight and there is a £15 per person per hour minimum spend. Not for you if you want to stand at the bar and drift.