MakeShift Bar by Josh Powell opens in Islington Green

Entrepreneur Josh Powell has launched MakeShift Bar, located discreetly at the end of Camden Passage, next to Islington Green, introducing a concept where traditional bar elements like counters and stools are conspicuously absent.

MakeShift Bar offers a personalised cocktail experience with a core menu of six classic drinks, each available in 48 different variations, allowing guests to tailor their beverages to their mood and taste preferences. Unlike typical bars, the concoctions are crafted at the tables rather than a bar counter, providing a more intimate and interactive environment. The drinks, all priced at £12, can be complemented with an array of bar snacks prepared in-house.

Josh Powell, who also owns The Natural Philosopher in Bethnal Green, has designed MakeShift Bar to reflect his extensive experience in mixology. The bar features a range of new liqueurs, bitters, aromatics, and unusual natural botanicals. Examples of the offerings include the MakeShift Old-Fashioned, with a touch of apricot and saline wash, the MakeShift Collins, featuring options for aged Rum or Calvados, and the MakeShift Martini, to be personalised with a choice of flavoured vermouth and aromatics, plus an avocado leaf, apple skin, or olive vermouth as the modifier for the texture. 

Instead of adopting traditional volume measuring jiggers, the team employs precision scales to calculate the weight and density of ingredients, ensuring consistent and complex serves. This meticulous attention to detail is further exemplified by the use of giant 5cm ice cubes designed to snugly fit in glasses and reduce dilution, and a freezer stocked with frosted glassware and pre-mixes chilled to a precise temperature for faster serving.

The food menu selection ranges from lighter aperitivo snacks and vegan-friendly plates to more substantial dishes like the signature Big Schnitz—a chicken schnitzel served in a potato brioche bun with lemon caper butter, chive mayo, and pickles.

As the warmer days approach, an outdoor terrace will open, offering additional seating and the opportunity to enjoy the lively neighbourhood atmosphere. Currently, the bar accommodates 16 indoor seats, with the capacity doubling when outdoor seating is available.

Food Desk

For further information and reservations, visit MakeShift Bar’s website here.