Ninetyeight Bar and Lounge Review

Best for: Escapist relaxation in Shoreditch.

Great: Original cocktails and free novelty pens.

Doctor’s notes: My patient Greg Hall awoke three days ago after a two-week coma. How it occurred is pure mystery. His fortnight of slumber was a peculiar period. It was very peculiar indeed. His bemusing blackouts were riddled with enigmatic exclamations of ‘Lavito’ and delirious, deluded murmurs of ‘...edible walls?!’ Clearly he had been harangued by harrowing hallucinations. This is what intrigued me. What was behind his random ramblings? When I interviewed him yesterday, I finally slid into my subject’s subconscious; it was a lucid lair. The following transcript of Hall’s testimony is yet another illuminating entry into the Fluid medical journal…

‘…I felt myself falling aimlessly, hurtling through a veil of eternal blackness. Then I awoke. Well I thought I had. Dazed and a little confused I found myself in Shoreditch, of all bloody places. Bizarrely, I was really craving a cocktail. I wanted one bad. But trudging through a blanket of slushy ice on a bitter winter’s night, everything looked mundane, murky and banal. Listless, generic bars languished, miserably failing to illuminate the gloomily lit street of Curtain Road. I wanted to draw back the drapes of this boring boulevard and go back to bed, preferably with a refreshing mixture.

Dejected and with my head down I passed another anonymous, brick addled building. It was lucky that my cranium was facing south as I caught something in the corner of my eye. Gleaming, enchanting me was an ornate seductive spiral staircase; suddenly it yanked me down into a mysterious underbelly.

Serenely I floated into a decadently delicious, salubrious speakeasy. It went by the name of Ninetyeight Bar & Lounge. I’d gone from obscurity to opulence. Before me was a welcoming warm woman called Kath, adorned in 1970s chic. Like a glamorous stand-in for Saint Peter, she beckoned me in.

Was I dead? Had I arrived at Bar Heaven? I think maybe I had. Looking back it makes sense; Shoreditch was purgatory, while Ninetyeight was a higher plain. The bar was simply beautiful; angel wings loomed above this neon lit nest. Superbly, it was stocked with organic, bountiful bottles of vanilla vodka and vintage 1972 Glenn Rossie Whisky. Unique inventions invitingly flowed from that hub. A luscious, lavender Lavito filled with cherry and rum made an ordinary Mojito seem archaic. One whisky-based drink even fused a Sunday roast into a glass. But this was just for starters; I was engulfed in an endearing emporium of spectacular splendour.

The white walls were wonderfully awash with sweets to eat, and splattered with toy aeroplanes and even beer cans. In this realm of quirky intricacy every time I looked I saw something new; marble pillars, marvellous mirrors, grand pianos, statues of dogs, leopard skin sofas, roman busts and toy trains that served alcohol.

But it wasn’t empty in here. This palace of pleasure was filled with laughter from the multitude of duly dressed people whole heartedly enjoying themselves. They were people like me who had come in from the cold to escape from the punishment of purgatory. It seemed a little ridiculous that the music that emanated was relatively sombre house music, why would I dream that? On the bright side at least Voodoo Ray by A Guy Called Gerald came on.

Ninetyeight was a joyous joint of irreverence and relaxation. But like Cinderella going to the ball, Kath informed me that unfortunately I had to leave this wonderland at 11, for her gratifying grotto had to shut. As a parting gift she gave me a pen. It wasn’t any old pen; it was a miniature sheep that baaed when its head was pressed.

I didn’t want to go back to the hinterland of gloomy East London. ‘How can I escape?’ I asked Kath, ‘Just tap the sheep quill on the head’ she replied. And so I did. With the push of a thumb and a cheeky baa, I was blurted back to reality with a jolt here in this hospital bed, staring at these four walls very drained and very miffed. It was all make-believe. What a trip.

But was it really a dream? The eerie thing I’ve discovered since waking is that very same woolly marker perched underneath my pillow.’...read more

Ninetyeight Bar and Lounge Description

Discreetly positioned on the lower floor of a grand period building. Ninetyeight bar is a grotto of earthly delights, a hidden gem previously open to only a select few. Head down the innocuous stairway of Morrell House, to a land both bizarre and visually arresting - infused with a mischievous mix of toys, sweets and luscious décor. In the midst of Curtain Road Ninetyeight is a breath of fresh air, providing an uplifting retreat for like-minded individuals.

Ninetyeight prides itself on being different, and with its multifunctional philosophy it ensures guests experience more than just a cocktail. Offering the best in art, music, cocktails and fashion; from mixology master classes, to burlesque shows and vintage `high' tea parties - its an eclectic mix that never fails to surprise.

In such decadent surrounds, it stands to reason that the cocktails both excite and delight. With an accomplished cocktail team, led by Dan Hutchins-Read, Ninetyeight serve an ever-evolving range of tipples, characterised by the team’s focus on infusions and molecular techniques. Guests are encouraged to be adventurous when ordering, to experience different flavours in tantalising combinations which include; slurping on spaghetti Margaritas, rum infused sugar-canes and, of course, our candy floss Martini!...read more

Customer Reviews for Ninetyeight Bar and Lounge

Average (based on 5 votes): 5 Atmosphere: Value: Quality:

The following customer reviews are not endorsed by Fluid London and are simply those of users who wish to publish their independent experiences of Ninetyeight Bar and Lounge.

“Lovely looking bar... but beware the owner she is totally creepy!! If you want to be in a beautiful bar then there are other places to go without the added madness of the owner looking over your shoulder!”
Atmosphere: Value: Quality:
Tot Mahoney, London (4 months 21 days ago)

“Just the most amazing bar I have ever found in any city I have ever been. Kathy makes the bar was it is, so I can happily say they are both wonderful. You don't want to blink and miss the astounding sights.”
Atmosphere: Value: Quality:
alby, london (1 years 2 months 17 days ago)

“Loved it - Great location for a subtle mid week catch up ( Big thx to Petra ) Great hospitality 98CR & owner Kath Morrell & obviously for the awesome cocktails !! I'll be back for sure ... Darryl”
Atmosphere: Value: Quality:
Mr D, West Sussex (1 years 5 months 26 days ago)

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Additional Information

• Group: (Independent/Freehouse)