Callooh Callay hosts work socials, Christmas parties, birthdays and wedding receptions in three formats: the Back Lounge for up to 50 guests, the upstairs JubJub for up to 40, and the full venue for up to 180. The cocktail bar has been on Rivington Street in Shoreditch, East London, since 2008.
Seminars and company events
The bar suits evening company events rather than daytime meetings. Teams book the Back Lounge or the JubJub for after-work drinks and Christmas parties, or take the whole venue for a larger party with music, a DJ or live entertainment. Groups can pre-order drinks so they are ready when guests arrive. Cocktail masterclasses last 90 minutes: a welcome cocktail, then each guest learns shaking, stirring, muddling and garnishing and makes two drinks behind the bar with a bartender. Classes take 2 to 8 guests, up to 16 on request, usually in a dedicated event space rather than the main bar, and the cocktail list can be adapted with notice. Afternoon sessions can be requested.
Weddings and receptions
The bar takes bookings for smaller weddings, covering ceremony drinks, receptions and after-parties. Wedding enquiries have their own email channel, separate from private parties, and the same three spaces apply: one room for a small group, both private rooms together, or the full venue.
Rooms and capacities
The Back Lounge holds up to 50 guests, with velvet booths, low lighting, its own bar team and a sound system. It leads to the JubJub, a private upstairs bar for up to 40 with its own bar, a dedicated bartender and its own sound system. Both rooms can be booked together for groups over 50. Full venue hire gives exclusive use for up to 180 guests, with both bars, several themed spaces, a cloakroom, dedicated staff and a sound system suited to DJs and live acts.
Catering
Event food is served as canapés. The Christmas canapé menu, for example, runs from oysters, smoked salmon and festive charcuterie to sliders, buttermilk chicken, pigs in blankets, Yorkshire puddings and caviar blinis, with sweet bites to finish. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options are available with advance notice. Drinks cover the house cocktail menu, which changes with each new concept, as well as sparkling wine, wine and beer.
History and setting
Callooh Callay opened in 2008 and takes its name and spirit from Jabberwocky, the nonsense poem by Lewis Carroll, with hidden rooms and themed menus. It has appeared in the World's 50 Best Bars list and is currently ranked among the top 500 bars worldwide. The same team runs Little Bat in Islington and The March Hare in Chelsea. The bar opens at 6 pm every day and closes at 1 am from Monday to Wednesday and at 3 am from Thursday to Sunday, which leaves room for late parties.
Getting there
The address is 65 Rivington Street, London EC2A. Old Street station on the Northern line and Shoreditch High Street on the Overground are both within walking distance, and Liverpool Street is a short walk further south for trains to Stansted and the east of England. London City Airport is the closest airport.
