London’s hottest new bar, The Lowback, has launched its full menu and cocktail programme. Situated on an eco-friendly floating pavilion docked in a new neighbourhood in Canary Wharf, the bar marks the Hawksmoor’s first major bar opening since the launch of its award-winning Spitalfields bar over 11 years ago and follows the opening of Hawksmoor Wood Wharf in November 2021.
The bar takes its inspiration from the recent Hawksmoor New York opening and the Golden Age of Travel, with a little high-end ocean liner mixed in – The Lowback sees Will Beckett and Huw Gott pushing the boat out to create the ultimate destination bar on the water.
Hawksmoor Executive Chef Matt Brown and Head of Drinks Liam Davy are bringing together a Hawksmoor-level bar food menu, an innovative drinks list and an exciting guest cocktail programme.
Cocktail highlights include an Ultimate Gin Martini (Hepple gin, Aperitivo Co. dry vermouth and Filicudi lemon oil) that has taken New York by storm, and a Japanese Delmonico (KI NO BI gin, Schofields vermouth and yuzu bitters), with all martinis chilled to -11c and stored in thermos flasks so they can be poured perfectly chilled every time. Champagne cocktails are front and centre of the celebratory vibe and designed to be shared between friends: the Le Crunch 75 (Apple brandy, hopped cider, champagne, verjus) brings together the best of Anglo-French apple and grape booze alchemy, while the Mandarin Paloma (tequila, mezcal, passionfruit, mandarin, champagne) is a tangy and delicious spin on the original Mexican highball.
Every day, between 4-7pm, there’s an extended Cocktail Hour when The Lowback offers a changing menu of £7 cocktails, showcasing the creativity of the bar team as they create unique feature cocktails working with smaller, lesser-known distillers and producers, like the Boatyard distillery, which produces gin and vodka in Co. Fermanagh, Ireland.
The new food menu features a few hits from Hawksmoor New York, including the Reuben-inspired Salt beef nuggets with Ogleshield, kraut and Russian dressing, a delicate Chalk Stream trout crudo with citrus, ginger and chilli and sure-fire contender for best vegetarian sandwich in London and New York, the Brick Lane Sub with spiced cauliflower, raita and chutneys. Along with Hawksmoor bar classics like dry-aged steaks (of course), Bone marrow oysters and a permanent home for one of the most popular bar dishes ever at Hawksmoor, the legendary Big Matt burger. New dishes include Fried chicken with habanero vinegar and kimchi slaw, Scampi Po’ Boy with Scottish langoustines, bacon and jalapeño tartar and Charred Romanesco with Graceburn, chilli, nuts and seeds.
Hawksmoor’s new Head of Wine, Clara Rubin, has created a wine list worthy of note featuring Hawksmoor classics, including its own Malbec from Pulenta, to some exceptional fine wines such as a 2015 Chambolle-Musigny from Domaine Joseph Faiveley, and a 2019 1er Cru Chassagne-Montrachet from Coffinet-Duvernay, to funky serves like the low ABV Pet Nat Cider ‘Disco Nouveau’ from Heredforshire cidery, Little Pomona. The Lowback also features four key styles of premium sake, a first for Hawksmoor; sparkling Nigori in a flute, an Umeshu served in an iced Nick & Nora, or the robust, aged sake from Tamagawa Brewery in Kyoto, served on the block in a rocks glass. With all wines available by the glass, this really is a one-of-a-kind list.
Record Collector & DJ Jim Wood has put together the music programme, delving into the darkest recesses of his collection to find rarer funk, soul and disco to sit alongside a list that and draws influences from 70s and 80s New York and UK, fuelling a more relaxed environment where people can take a break from the world outside.
The Lowback is a bar like no other in London, a great night out where you can enjoy some of the best drinks in the capital paired with Hawksmoor-level bar food ensuring that whatever your budget, you’ll have a genuinely special night out.
The Lowback is located at 1 Water Street, London E14 5GX. It is open Tuesday through Friday from 4pm to 11.30pm and Saturday from 4pm to 12.00am.
For more information or to make a reservation, head over to the bar’s official website.
