Duo Shoreditch

A popular spot for pre-drinking before a night on the town, Duo Shoreditch is a stylishly decorated restaurant and cocktail lounge that you might find yourself spending more of your night in than expected, thanks to the novel menu and the entertainment on offer.

As the name suggests, the people at Duo believe in things working better in pairs, and they've applied this same thinking to their light, peach-tinged restaurant. The Samba Sake blend of Brazilian and Japanese cuisine results in various tempura and gyoza sharing a page with moqueca, fragrant Brazilian coconut fish stew with steamed rice, and picanha, pan-seared rump steak, while the cassava fries go hand in hand with crispy seaweed. It's an eclectic lineup indeed, and one that they double down on with the cocktail offer. With signature sugary concoctions such as the bubble-gummy Celebrity Faces and the honey and cantaloupe margarita alongside the usual mojitos and cosmos, it's clear why Duo is a regular stop among more outgoing folks.

The tasteful, even subdued setting of their blue-trimmed, black-and-white basement lounge bar belies the lively entertainment the team puts on, from party 'n' paint nights and bottomless brunches to drag cabaret, bingo, live music and DJ nights. They're also well-known for their infamous birthday packages, highlighted by the cocktail birthday tree – don't be surprised if that one fells even the hardiest of party animals.