Osteria at The Barbican: After-work Negronis and Antipasti in the Concrete Jungle

With Negroni Week approaching from 13 – 19 September, all eyes are on the bittersweet Italian cocktail, which came to life in a Florentine bar 101 years ago. Osteria at the Barbican is the place to drink the infamous red drink, with no less than ten versions of the negronis on the menu all year round.

The famous Negroni, named after the alcohol-loving Italian Count Camillo Negroni who first ordered the regular Milano-Torino to be topped up with gin instead of soda, is a potent and deeply morish concoction made with equal parts gin, vermouth and Campari. Despite having just three simple ingredients, the versatile drink is open to countless incarnations. On the menu at Osteria in the Barbican, guests can opt for The Classic, the drink that started it all, the blush-coloured Ultimate Pink Negroni with Aperol, Rose Vermouth and pink gin, or a Grapefruit Negroni with a bright, zesty flavour to name a few. The decadent Chocolate Lovers Negroni – a rich and romantic alternative to dessert with crème de Cacao and chocolate bitters added to the three original spirits – also deserves a mention.

Admittedly, negronis are not to everyone’s taste, so Osteria’s talented bar team have come up with a few tipples to help the uninitiated too: the Newbie Negroni is a gentle introduction, ingeniously made with gin, Pimm’s No.1, red vermouth, orange juice and a splash of soda. Finally, if it’s gin you can’t get behind, the Old Pal is a delightful variation made with whiskey, Cocchi American and Campari. Whatever your tipple, in striking Brutalist architecture at The Barbican is a unique and atmospheric spot in the heart of London to enjoy this cocktail in all its glory.

Osteria, a modern Italian restaurant in the heart of the Barbican is offering lunch and dinner service Tuesday to Saturday from 1 October 2021. Pre-theatre dining packages are also available.

To make a booking, click here.