White Rabbit Review

Best for: Signature cocktails, classic cocktails, shot cocktails, hot cocktails.

Great: Quirk.

We scurried out of the station checking our pocket watches and clutching our ears against gale force winds. That hour spent fluffing our tails to perfection was a waste of time. ‘We’re late, we’re late’, I cried, twitching my nose in exasperation as we hopped around pirouetting carrier bags.

I apologise; a review of The White Rabbit is going to call for the odd Wonderland reference. We were of course clutching our hair and checking our phones, but you get the gist. But we were late; for happy hour; thanks to an M&S meal deal for two which cried Eat Me just a little too temptingly for just a little too long.

Happy hour finishes at 9pm at The White Rabbit, although had it been a Sunday there would have been no need for my reference because it’s an all-day affair. And that, dear readers, would have been a waste.

So there we were dashing along Church Street, our bob tails limp and disheartened, until we found it. A small doorway, as befitting a rabbit’s den; brave smoking bunnies huddling outside in damp duffle coats. And much as you’d expect I might, I fell down a step, tumbling and tumbling down the hole, blue skirts and petticoats flying, until I landed at the bar where the optics proclaimed Drink Me. And so, I did.

The White Rabbit’s upper floor ranges over three cramped, candlelit levels. Larger tables by the windows, cloaked in red velvet; high stooled tables and sofas in the centre, surrounded by ornate glasses and bird cages of butterflies (they’re still unnerving me now); and a crowded bar at the back.

Perched centrally, we had a clear view of three very happy hourers already swaying to the DJ’s chilled funk. One was top hat adorned. ‘I bet they have them in a cupboard and hand them out’, my companion whispered knowingly, the fluff returning to her fur.

Cocktails are the drink of choice here; signature, classic, shots and even hot. I can easily imagine cosying in for grog and hot toddy on a Sunday afternoon. Now, that’s the stuff of dreams.

First I sipped a White Rabbit Ice Tea – vodka, rum, gin, tequila, triple sec and champagne, topped with orange slices looking suspiciously like ears. A heady mix, and although still some way from the bottom, the bar’s fantastical pen and ink exhibition of ‘Whimsical creatures’ started to move, just ever so slightly; furry ghouls with saucer eyes crawling just a fraction from their frames.

A man in drag appeared through the gloom, his pants showing through a chiffon skirt. Was he a whimsical creature too? He looked like he might be made of pen and ink, but then he said hello.

A Gingerbread Daiquiri followed, tasting of pure gingerbread man. Dark rum, ginger, cinnamon, vanilla and lime, it sits up there in my top 5 ever. There are few cocktails which stop you in your tracks; and even fewer that render my companion speechless. The brownish, cloudy liquid in that glass was Wonderland. She even stopped talking about her wedding.

And as if a homage to the concept of tea party, I followed that with The Old Guard – earl grey infused gin, lemon, sugar and egg white. Mad Hatter, you have excelled yourself.

Then for a less wonderful experience: the toilets. Unisex; my least favourite word. Two cubicles. Small. Hovering required. The Queen of Hearts would have had someone’s head off. Suitable for rabbits only. I’ll say no more.

My house of cards wavering, we ventured further down the hole. Down narrow steps we spiralled until we reached the club below. It was dark. The smoke machine had been working overtime, filling every corner with a mystical mist. My companion, a country rabbit, pricked her ears in alarm. ‘I can’t actually see you’, she squealed. As the strobe lighting kicked in it was pure wonderland, and pure Stokey. No one saw the Cheshire cat smile.

And then without warning the crowds parted – (was Moses here too?) - and two earnest girls in leotards appeared in the centre, wrestling, with nets. Their faces were set, who was to win? Curiouser and Curiouser.

We all carried on chatting as if impromptu performance art in a club were perfectly normal. ‘Girls in leotards – you don’t say? Splendid. Did you see Take Me Out?’

I suppose in Wonderland it’s just the way. ...read more

Emily Retter 04 Feb 2013

White Rabbit Description

White Rabbit Cocktail Club is a unique meeting place in Stoke Newington.

Taking inspiration from Carroll's 'Alice in Wonderland' books it showcases a cocktail bar on the ground floor and ‘The Rabbit Hole', a basement bar, hosting music nights, private parties and theatre.

White Rabbit serves fabulous classic & speciality cocktails: try our Gingerbread Daiquiri, which has already caused a stir among the locals, or give the mysterious Orange and Cinnamon Caipirinha a taste. We also have a range of draught and bottled beers, wines and spirits, which you can sample in our relaxed, comfortable lounge, open 6 days a week for art events, music nights and more.

Our basement, The Rabbit Hole, hosts regular events such as Abattoir The Party, Future Fusion and UFO: a night full of psychedelic tunes and some good old fashioned Rock n Roll. The basement is also available for your own private party.
Tables and areas can be reserved in the cocktail lounge, free of charge throughout the week, and, whatever the celebration, our weekend resident DJs will entertain all night long....read more

White Rabbit Opening Hours

Additional Information

• Cuisine Type: Italian
• Average Price: £8.00
• Group: (Independent/Freehouse)