Press - Bruno's

Press

Bruno’s cocktails all come courtesy of Fin, whose own CV looks like the world’s best bar crawl, stretching from 69 Colebrooke Row to Quo Vadis. Here, he’s shaking up the likes of the house original Below Deck (with blood orange & bourbon); the Monkey Gland (a forgotten classic made with gin, grenadine, and absinthe), and some nice hot buttered rum with cinnamon.

The cocktail menu includes drinks like the ‘Peach Drop’ made with vodka, lemon juice, peach syrup, egg whites and burnt sugar; and the smokey ‘Cookout’ with mezcal, barbecued lemon juice and orgeat. Guests can also choose from natural wines and nostalgic bar snacks, like reinvented ‘lunchables’ served in portioned lunch trays filled with cured meats and cheeses.

Inspired by London and New York’s finest drinking dens, Bruno’s is housed in a newly renovated barge beside its popular waterside dining room, Caravel. The canal-side bar is an ode to the founder’s Fin and Lorcan Spiteri’s fondest memories, serving up playful twists on classic drinks alongside a menu of nostalgic snacks which nod affectionately to the brothers’ food-fuelled childhoods.

We have a big fat restaurant crush on Caravel, a floating barge in Islington that utterly charmed us with chicken liver pâté and a blood orange jelly that made our inner 10-year-old feel entirely seen. Now, the people behind Caravel have opened a bar on the adjacent barge, serving natural wines, classic cocktails, and new smoky mezcal creations. Plus, the bar is named after one of the founders' dogs and frankly, that's adorable.

Brothers Fin and Lorcan Spiteri have launched a new cocktail bar, housed in a newly renovated barge beside their floating restaurant, Caravel on Regent’s Canal. Named Bruno’s, the bar has a New York-inspired vibe and serve playful twists on classic cocktails, such as The Peach Drop, a blend of vodka, peach syrup and burnt sugar; and the Cookout, a smoky mix of mezcal and barbecued lemon juice. Alongside this, there is a selection of nostalgic snacks – a nod to the brothers’ childhoods.

Bruno’s has all the charm of its next door partner, but with a bit more sullen-evening gloom and a plusher interior. They’re serving up natural wines, classic cocktails and some original mezcal-based numbers at the bar. There is, of course, a menu of snacks. It’s light – we guess the idea is that you go next door for a full meal – but saucisson meatballs and trays of charcuterie never fail with us.

The warmly-lit lounge boasts velvet armchairs, bar counter seating and two stunning marble tables perfect for larger groups and celebrations. The menu features drinks such as the Peach Drop, a blend of vodka, lemon juice, peach syrup, egg whites and burnt sugar; and the Cookout, a smoky mix of mezcal, barbecued lemon juice and orgeat. While small plates of saucisson, soppressata and cheeses will be served on lunch style trays.

Features house cocktails, forgotten classics and after-dinner creations showcasing sweet and creamy tipples. Standout drinks include the earthy, smoky and citrussy Chido with mezcal, smoked lime juice and orgeat; and a Count Pomelo Negroni with grapefruit syrup – a pleasingly light, zesty take on a classic. Finish with one of the bar’s pudding cocktails: their lusciously nutty hazelnut sour with Frangelico and vanilla vodka was delightful.

It’s a cocktail bar ON 👏 A 👏 BARGE. We don’t really need to say anything more, do we?

Bruno’s is the new cocktail bar from brothers Fin and Lorcan Spiteri, housed in a newly renovated barge beside their floating restaurant, Caravel. It focuses on playful twists on classic cocktails – including an extensive menu of alcohol-free tipples. This January, head there to try drinks like the Royal Fizz, made with Earl Grey tonic, peach and lemon, and the Gardener, made with green tea, soda and lime.

Prepare to be wooed, charmed, and seduced by Bruno’s before you even sit down. It’s from the folks behind bistro restaurant Caravel (a.k.a “London’s most alluring floating fire hazard”) and located inside the adjacent barge on the Regent’s Canal in Islington. Sink into a plush, pink velvet armchair, made for hushed tête-à-têtes over sweet rum and pineapple cocktails, or snag a high stool for a pre-dinner grapefruit-spiked negroni. The soft lighting, steamy windows, and chilled-out playlist set the mood to cosy-luxe.