Beneath the vibrant dining room of Bermondsey favourite Flour & Grape, something exciting is taking place. The Cellar Club, a new underground cocktail bar, has opened up. The carefully curated space from hospitality entrepreneur Nick Crispini is not just an add-on, it is a space that leans into late-night energy, pairing playful cocktails with an atmosphere that feels both intimate and considered.
A bar with a point of view
The positioning of The Cellar Club is clear: an underground dive bar with a deliberate informality to the space. Low lighting, “subterranean little heaven” that gives a feeling of a speakeasy, an environment that encourages guests to linger. The music blends with the atmosphere, it’s treated as part of the identity, nudging guests to enjoy a lively night.
The owner has a clear vision for the bar, creating an interplay between approachable yet elevated. Cocktails are priced at an accessible £10, a notable move in a city where prices continue to climb. And these are not short measures of basic cocktails. These are full-size cocktails made with superb ingredients. They also have an irresistible happy hour with a 25% discount. Can’t get better than that! The space is designed for repeat visits, not just special occasions.
Cocktails that balance creativity and restraint
The Cellar Club features a thoughtfully curated cocktail list that strikes a balance between creativity and simplicity. The drinks showcase bold flavour combinations, often enhanced with subtle twists that reward a more attentive drinker.
Taking Figaro as an example, a bright, aromatic mix of gin, fig leaf liqueur, triple sec and prosecco plays as much with texture as flavour, landing somewhere between a spritz and an aperitivo with a greener, more herbaceous edge. Alongside the Pajarito, a refined take on the classic pisco sour that neatly captures the bar’s ethos of reinterpretation over reinvention, and the Pimento Martini, a savoury, quietly confident take that balances salinity, subtle spice and the clean backbone of a classic martini without ever tipping into gimmick. Crystal Clear is a tropical, rum-forward mix layered with Wray & Nephew, Foursquare spiced rum and Goslings dark rum, lifted by falernum, lime and pineapple for a balance of richness and freshness. Liberace takes a more traditional spin, built on Martell VSOP cognac with ginger syrup and bitters, resulting in a smooth, aromatic drink with a gentle warmth. Hazelnut Whip leans indulgent, blending dark rum with Frangelico, espresso and maple syrup, finished with cream and spice for a silky, dessert-like finish.
Together, the drinks menu creates range, moving effortlessly from light and herbaceous to rich and indulgent, with each cocktail reflecting a considered approach to flavour, technique and modern drinking.
The menu strikes a careful balance between bold, spirit-forward drinks and a more considered, inclusive approach, with signature cocktails sitting alongside classics on request and a well-curated selection of low and no-alcohol options for those seeking a lighter evening. The Cellar Club is a reminder that good bars do not just innovate, they also execute the fundamentals with great quality.
The vine: rooted in Bermondsey, branching out
The bar fits directly into the context of Bermondsey. This neighbourhood has evolved into one of London’s most dynamic food and beverage spots and The Cellar Club taps directly into that ecosystem. The strategic location attracts a mix of locals, hospitality insiders, and those willing to travel for the promise of quality.
The bar, rooted in the strong foundation of Flour & Grape, is extending outward, drawing new audiences and accommodating longer stays. Guests might drift downstairs while waiting to be seated in Flour & Grape, or find themselves lingering late into the evening below, cocktails in hand.
Upstairs: Flour & Grape’s enduring appeal
Of course, none of this works without the success of Flour & Grape itself. The restaurant has a loyal following thanks to their focused approach to Italian cooking, their fresh pasta that is tender and deeply comforting.
The restaurant is set apart by its clarity of vision. The menu is concise but confident, centered on quality ingredients and bold, satisfying flavours with options such as pappardelle with beef short-rib ragù and spaghetti carbonara sitting alongside lighter options like ravioli with ricotta and wild garlic. Small plates, think burrata, bruschetta and polpette, are designed for sharing, reinforcing the restaurant’s sociable, relaxed style of dining.
Their emphasis on value and accessibility mirrors the approach taken downstairs. It is a place where you can eat well with ease, where the atmosphere is lively, but never chaotic, a place where the food consistently delivers. That consistency carries through downstairs, setting clear expectations for The Cellar Club.
A seamless two-part experience
Flour & Grape and The Cellar Club form a compelling dual offering. One provides the familiarity and warmth of a neighbourhood restaurant, while the other offers a more atmospheric, late-night escape with special drinks.
The bar depicts a clear example of how thoughtful hospitality concepts can grow without losing their core identity. In a crowded market, that kind of cohesion is rare.
And in Bermondsey, it might just be the start of something bigger.
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All imagery courtesy of The Cellar Club and Flour & Grape.