Ruby’s

Down some steep stairs lies a hidden gem. A small den with great ambience, dimly lit and surrounded by cute décor of knick knacks with a vintage feel. Amazing cocktails and great service. They now also of a larger area through a separate entrance which is bigger but not really the same intimate feel of the smaller area.

Shhh… don’t tell anyone. Excellent underground lounge, with craft cocktails. Following the worldwide trend — but still a super cool ‘speakeasy’ type space.
We got the ‘chef’s’ table, so chatted quite a bit with the bartenders, who were quite busy making the complex drinks. No food to speak of, just a couple of snacks.
This could be a great place to meet a date, or a small group. Tiny space, very cramped, so large groups do have a little bit of an issue getting together. Be prepared for a line, but it is worth it — the drinks are good, the music is kickin’ and the atmosphere is great!

What an amazing find!
We missed it the first time, but after heading back down the street looking closely, we found the understated doorway leading down into this speakeasy cocktail lounge. The tables were reserved for the next hour or so, so we decided to take a spot at the little four person bar. Best spot in the house if you ask me. The mixologists were amazing, friendly, funny, and knowledgeable in their craft. The two people I was with ordered a cocktail off the list but I was having a harder time deciding. One of the bartenders asked why I was having trouble deciding and had a quick conversation with him about what cocktail/​spirit I would typically go for. He nodded and told me that he knew just the thing and about five minutes later I had a delicious, smooth, and flavourful drink in front of me. They truly know how to make and garnish their drinks! Such fun to watch and indulge!
I am sure I will be back when in the area to relax and enjoy a drink along with the cool atmosphere and music.

Tremendous little hideaway you’d never know was there. The cocktails are real cocktails made with real skill, and there is a really buzzy vibe and a good mix of people. I love it.

Down the steep stairs you enter a world of red art-​deco. The bar feels cosy, but also quite cold, until the cocktails warm you up. I was disappointed with the selection of cocktails available. The staff were fine when you friends arrived but as they were running late and I arrived on time they seemed fairly patronising to begin with. Large groups are unlikely to find a table, unless you book in advance, in which case you will have to book and arrive before 8pm. All in all it was fine and an average price, I can recommend the mojito, but it wasn’t anything out of this world.

Cool little bar, lovely staff, delicious cocktails which are good value, and nice surroundings. We had a braying Simon Cowell lookalike at the table next to us (wearing shades in a basement bar) but you can’t win em all.

Such. Good. Cocktails! Standard pricey cocktail prices, but so worth it and they definitely deserve the price based on the creativity and detail. Definitely come in, even just for one. You won’t regret it.

Definitely a cool place to hang out with friends if you happen to go out in Dalston. Not the classiest cocktail bar, but the drinks are great, the staff are lovely and the crowd is decent. If you want to avoid the numpty crowds in Dalston, this is a good place to hide.

Ruby’s was started by a guy who liked to drink cocktails. As a result, it’s a lovely place to drink cocktails in. They have awesome staff and generally a queue out the door as there is a no standing policy.
The cocktail menu is every changing but really that doesn’t matter as they can make you pretty much anything you want… Clover Club anyone?
It’s not classy, it’s quite cool and considering the area, it’s not pack full of twats (just a few huddled in the corner).
A pretty good bar, that some may call a speakeasy if you were so inclined.

I finally stumbled across my new cocktail joint right on my door step!
Tuck away downstairs below a black shop front on Kingsland High Street. Go downstairs into the basement bar, where there is shabby chic deco and furniture.
Unpretentious.
Friendly.
Great drinks.
Everything on their menu is tasty. Their version of whisky sours is pretty decent as well.
Need I say more?
Keep this place a secret.
I got a feeling this place will be really popular and the next Happiness Forgots.

Great great great.
Great cocktails
Great presentation
Great service
Great décor (like something out of magazine photo shoot)
Great atmosphere
Great bar staff (theatrical cocktail shaking and all that)
Great that we got a table at 10pm*
Not so great: no cards and the cash machine next door charges £1.80. Get some money out BEFORE you come here. Still, I forgive you Ruby.
*only because everyone else was watching some football match last night, apparently England were playing in some tournament or other. I had wondered why the streets of Dalston were so deserted. You should probably book otherwise as when we left there was a queue.

Great little cocktail bar opened up in Dalston. It’s relatively new yet has made it into the Worlds best bars list, see here:
It’s a small bar in a basement so book to avoid disapointment or queue’s. In true Dalston/​NYC style, there is no real sign for the place. They have the old cinema sign where they change the words often (‘Nothing to see here’ one week, then ‘A nice day for a White wedding’ another week etc).
Small bit of useless info: The building it is in was once a chinese takeaway called Ruby’s. It was also used for filming/​photography by Adele, the late Amy Winehouse & Rhianna.
The cocktail list is small but good. They serve drinks in old milk bottles, tin cans etc.
Blackberry Mojito is delish.
It is CASH ONLY at the moment.
Reasonably priced drinks (including bottled beers), cool unpretentious staff, friendly relaxed vibes. Yes, defo recommend Ruby’s!