Caretaker

Hidden beneath Britomart Place, Caretaker is the bar that proves precision and pleasure can coexist. Billing itself as a “New York–style bar inspired by the golden age of bartending,” it ticks the expected boxes: basement setting, perfect lighting, ice that could double as sculpture but brings with it something most cocktail temples forget: warmth.

Co-founder Alastair Walker, trained under the late Sasha Petraske of Milk & Honey fame, channels that lineage into an experience that’s as personal as it is polished. There’s no menu; instead, you tell your bartender what you feel like and watch them work their quiet alchemy. Expect drinks on the classic side. Whisky Sours, Martinis, bespoke creations crafted to mood and moment, all executed with surgical precision.

Add live jazz, convivial chatter, and bartenders who seem genuinely happy to see you, and you get something rare: a world-class cocktail bar that’s also genuinely fun.

Tatler Tip

Their famous ice isn’t just for show; it’s designed to chill drinks fast without dilution. You can even buy the Caretaker ice mould for perfect cubes at home.