Heads + Tails Review - ON IN LONDON

A new late-night cocktail bar, Heads + Tails, launched in West Hampstead this week. Founders Will Partridge and Chris Dennis are long-term collaborators and industry experts, and have transformed the venue of one of West Hampstead’s longest standing night clubs to a stylish, sophisticated late-night drinking space.

Given its name, it is no surprise that Heads + Tails is a bar contrasting in design and creativity. On the street level is Heads. High ceilings, glass windows, natural light, cooling colours and a marble topped bar create an open relaxed feel. There is also garden holding up to 60 people with its own service hatch to the bar.

Taking its lead from the style of the bar, the drinks menu serves lighter refreshing drinks, mostly featuring vodka and gin based cocktails and low and alcohol free drinks. We tried most of the drinks on the menu and it would be too long to name them all. We enjoyed the VLS Deluxe featuring Absolut Vodka, homemade lime sherbet and prosecco as this was a refreshing, easy drink to start the night. Some of our other favourites were the classic Expresso Martini (£10) and Smoke on the Water featuring Altos Plata tequila, Quiquiriqui mescal, watermelon syrup and lime (£9.50). The Dove blending pisco with Jasmine cordial was rather tasteless while the Prettyman Cocktail was rather strong.

Unfortunately the downstairs Tails bar was not yet fully completed when we visited though we had a quick tour. Promoted as an atmospheric, cozy space with dark walls, low ceilings, plush comfy seating and a warm wooden bar, it was easy to see why. A door leads to a small area that holds 15 people and will be used as a smoking area. Here short, bold-style spirits such as rums, scotch and bourbon are served. Unfortunately as the bar was not open we were unable to try any of the drinks but a few from the menu have stuck out for us including Twist of Fate (£9) which promises to applaud the Old Fashioned while using citrus oil and spices to bring out the flavours of the bourbon.

It’s important to note that all drinks can be ordered in either bar. However some drinks exist in unison, just like the two sides of a coin for which the bar takes its name. For example, Lightning is a low alcohol concoction based on Italicus Bergamot and Bianco vermouth and is available in Heads for £8. It’s counter part- Thunder- is a stirred, aged-rum, brandy and curacao sipper available for £9 at Tails.

Wine, sparkling wine and champagne are also available as are some bar snacks. Both Heads and Tails are available for private hire.

We at OnIn had a fantastic night of drinking and talking in the Head bar. We can’t wait for the Tail bar to open to check out the ‘darker’ side.

Address: 175 West End Lane, London, NW6 2LH

Website: https://www.headsandtails.bar/home/

Phone: 07926 968 335

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @headsandtailsNW

Instagram: https://instagram.com/headsandtailsnw

Written by Caitlin Neal