'I visited London's new 1940s-themed bar and there was even a Winston Churchill impersonator'
If there's one thing about London, we love a gimmick. From pubs inside fridges to restaurants in denim factories, the capital is overflowing with weird and wonderful ventures - and Cahoots: Postal Office is no different. The speakeasy is the latest addition to the ubercool Borough Yards development that's somehow turned the eponymous market into an even bigger hotspot. It's USP, you ask? Well, it's 1940s mailroom-themed of course!
As I approach Stoney Street, there's no disputing that I'm in the right place. The starry sign above the railway arch entrance gives a suggestion of old-school glamour, as if Cahoots is a starlet with her name up in lights. Disappointment soon sets in however when I see the door is not in fact 'hidden behind a postbox', but rather next to it. Not only that, it's entirely see-through so any attempt at 'secrecy' is quashed from the get-go.
Scoundrels have supposedly taken over the post office and are using it to make moonshine that you can revel in if you make it past the man at the front desk. It's all very theatrical, with staff dressed in period costumes and talking in code about needing to pick up a parcel (wink, wink). The two-storey bar is definitely immersive, with moving parts and flashing lights ensuring your eyes jump to every corner and crevice. There are also a lot of well done details to take in, from the vintage letters, newspapers and advertisements on every wall to the tiny TVs playing black-and-white movies above the comfy albeit limited booths.
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At the bar, I'm greeted with a menu of the standard beers and wines but the main attraction is the cocktails, which average around the £15 mark. Whilst some are presented in Toby Jug-esque Vera Lynn or Queen Elizabeth II heads, others are locked behind an interactive- and incredibly smoky- drinks cabinet that you need to win a special coin to access. I highly recommend the vodka-heavy Theory of the Break, which is topped with something reminiscent of a giant Coco Pop, and the delightfully boozy This Way Up, which boasts tequila, Brazilian rum AND blue curacao liqueur.
But, Cahoots: Postal Office's biggest draw is the maze of pneumatic tubes on the bar's ceiling and walls that- in a UK first- deliver drinks to your table at top speed. They make for an incredibly fun guessing game as you see your chosen alcohol whizz above your head and land at one of the various deposit points. Just prepare to be abruptly taken back to the modern day upon opening the airmail cannister as the drinks are served in what can only be described as a reusable coffee cup. I know it's a matter of logistics but I can't pretend it wasn't a shame considering how carefully designed the rest of the bar is.
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After a quick chinwag with special guest Winston Churchill and scoring a five shilling chain from a self-described 'proper geezer' (an actor or a punter who got really into it, who's to know?), I decide I've had a rather successful evening in 1946. Before heading for the exit, I make sure to check out the Tea Corner. Here, you can listen to scandalous gossip and top-secret dispatches via repurposed telephone switchboards- a fun added touch to the mezzanine level.
Cahoots: Postal Office makes for a great night out, particularly as part of a group. I'd encourage everyone to leave any introversion at the door and throw yourself in to get the most out of it. It's supposed to be silly, so let it be silly and you'll have a great time. It was, though, incredibly hot (aircon was invented in 1902 so there's no excuse) so make sure to also check out the nearby Bar Daskal and The Wheatsheaf to save yourself from an entirely sweaty evening. Between this and Cahoots' two other branches in Soho, I'd rank this one as their best so far but I'm excited to see what they come up with next. But for now, cheerio old chums!
You can find Cahoots: Postal Office at 18 Stoney St, SE1 9AD. Check out their Instagram here.