When we talk about London’s best whisky bars, Bull in a China Shop’s name always pops out. Some would say that its owners Stephen and Simon Chan, who also manage the Drunken Monkey, a Chinese dim sum parlour and cocktail bar, did a great job procuring what people consider one of London’s finest selection of whiskies.

This pub with a peculiar name, sitting opposite the iconic Tea Building in Shoreditch, really piqued our interest, so we walked down to 196 Shoreditch High to check the place ourselves.

The Venue and Ambience

Many people say that the London whiskey bar Bull in a China Shop is quite a hidden gem, and it can be seen by their Dickensian black exterior design; very subtle and simple.

According to their website, the design concept was old Chinese curiosities with a hint of Tretchikoffs ‘Green Lady’. It’s ornamented with a collection of medicine bottles and bone china ornaments and backdropped by textured, whitewashed walls. If you ask me, it rather has the look and feel of a Japanese bar. The place is stunning, nonetheless, with a comfortable and buzzy setting. No wonder it is one of the best whisky bars in London.

Inside, there’s a hint of the Orient that runs throughout the restaurant. The low lighting helps set a welcoming but intimate mood. It’s then complemented by shuttered windows, plush banquettes, a copper bar top, other eclectic collection of oriental ornaments, and an old-fashioned music playlist to complete the feel of the place.

The hidden beer garden was very cosy, and the whole place was full of heaters to keep you warm when the temperatures dropped.

When it came to the bar’s staff, we talked to the sommelier, and we had no complaints. He was very passionate, personable, and knowledgeable about whiskies. The rest of their staff were noticeably efficient with their tasks, too. The Bull’s staff are visibly passionate throughout our stay.

We were given a choice to sit in their garden area, but we insisted on being seated at the bar. We then noticed that there’s only one toilet which might be an issue for other people, especially if the 50-seater restaurant gets fully booked.

The Bull in a China Shop also hosts events like bottomless brunches and whisky tastings. Despite the friendly and quite laid-back venue, we spotted couples here and we’d say the pub can be romantic, too.

The Drinks and Food

Bull in a China Shop offers all-day dining, seven days a week. Their menu contains comfort food from around the world. We’ve tried their Crispy Belly Pork and their signature Rotisserie Chicken, which were satisfactory for meat lovers like us. They also served mouth-watering bao buns. Even first-timers would surely love their fantastic food.

You can wash down the food with their extensive whiskey selection and seasonal specials, including a drink from their massive Japanese whisky collection. Their cocktail list is very Asian-infused. We requested our cocktails with hand-carved ice. Great quality.

They have over 100 choices of Japanese and Scotch whiskies, from light and delicate to deep and smoky, proving to be one of London’s biggest Japanese collections. They feature the Karuizawa whiskey, a very rare and expensive bottle.

If you’re a fan of small Japanese bites, order the karaage and gyoza, and they won’t disappoint you. Japanese beers are the perfect booze for a night out, paired with delicious starters.

For cocktails, I tried their matcha sour just to get a taste of it. They even have an informational page on their menu about Japanese whisky, which was a nice little touch.

When it comes to their food, we really saw how gorgeous each plating and presentation is, and the flavor just adds to the appeal. Everything was delightful and fresh. The attention to detail in the food was a plus for us. Their salad with feta was also marvelous.

You can ask for the whisky list or leave it to the sommelier for a recommendation of a whisky that would match and liven up your meal. Surprisingly, there is a vegan version for the egg white for the cocktails.

A table near us had their food come 10 minutes later, but we’re glad we didn’t have that inconvenience.

After a while, I insisted we try their signature cocktails and tasted Shinto Daisy. Their mix was just pure magic and the quality of plum sake is noticeable.

We’ve small-talked their bartender and he shared interesting information about the whiskies we chose and their best and rarest ones. All in all, their food and drinks are not expensive for their quality.

Summary

No wonder the Bull was named as one of London’s best whisky bars by different review websites. This bar is perfect for chilling out and just sipping on your cocktails comfortably as you watch other people chatter, laugh, and have a good time. A full list of their drinks and food menu, you can check out their website. You can also book an online reservation on their website prior to your visit.