A new cocktail establishment in Shoreditch is generating considerable buzz by resurrecting a centuries-old technique to craft its innovative beverages. FlipDog, which officially opened its doors on Saturday, March 14, within Imperial Hall on Old Street, utilizes a historic "loggerhead" method. This involves immersing a scorching hot or intensely chilled iron poker directly into cocktails to dramatically alter their flavor profile, texture, and aromatic qualities.
A Historic Technique with Modern Flair
The bar's core offering is the "Flip10" menu, featuring ten meticulously crafted cocktails. Each drink is centered around a specific preparation technique and is designed to evoke powerful nostalgia and memory through complex flavor combinations. The standout historical method is the 17th-century loggerhead process, which employs an iron poker that is either superheated to 1,200 degrees Celsius or deeply chilled to transform the liquid's characteristics.
Signature Creations from the Flip10 Menu
Notable creations include the 'Morning at the Platform', which utilizes the searing 1,200C heat to intensify roasted and caffeinated notes within the drink. In a contrasting approach, the 'Foggy Morning' cocktail employs the cold loggerhead technique to build layered depth without any heat, aiming to capture the essence of a tranquil walk through a mist-enshrouded urban landscape.
Technique continues to drive creativity across the rest of the menu. 'Cab Ride at Night' is a rum-based cocktail aged in clay, developing a rounded depth and distinctive character. 'Hangover Double Cheese' explores intriguing savoury layering, while 'At the Pub' uses carbonation as a playful homage to the classic half-pint serving.
Ukrainian Visionaries Behind the Venture
FlipDog was founded by Ukrainian entrepreneurs Artem Skapenko and Alex Kostenyuk. Their vision is to inject a fresh, inventive perspective into London's competitive cocktail scene through a method-driven drinks program. This program is led by head bartender Igor Brovko, with distinctive culinary offerings curated by chef Anton Vasyliev.
Culinary Pairings and Dining Experience
Complementing the innovative cocktail selection is a menu of shareable dishes that draw inspiration from both Asian and Eastern European culinary traditions. Built around bold, comforting flavors, the food is designed to pair seamlessly with the cocktails and is ideal for late-night dining. Highlights from the kitchen include the 'Chicken Katsu Sandwich', 'Thai-Style Beef Tartare', 'Niçoise-Style Octopus Skewer', and for dessert, a 'Matcha Trifle' and 'Lemon & Yuzu Posset'.
Dual-Level Bar Experience
The venue offers a dual-level experience. At street level, the 12-seater ground floor bar operates from 3pm, Tuesday through Saturday. This light and relaxed space focuses on a curated list of ten crisp, refreshing highball cocktails, crafted for effortless early evening drinking and approachable flavor exploration.
Downstairs, the 80-capacity basement cocktail bar opens from 5pm, offering a more immersive experience where advanced technique takes center stage. Here, guests can explore 22 signature cocktails presented through a distinctive concept menu, delving deeper into the art of mixology.
FlipDog is now open and welcoming guests at its Old Street location in Shoreditch, promising a unique blend of historical technique and contemporary cocktail culture.
