Ukrainian-founded FlipDog to open in Shoreditch with experimental cocktails and Asian-Eastern European menu

A new cocktail bar called FlipDog is scheduled to open this week at Imperial Hall near Old Street in Shoreditch. Established by Ukrainian founders Artem Skapenko and Alex Kostenyuk, the venue aims to introduce an innovative, method-driven approach to cocktails and food. The two-storey bar, with contemporary design by the Kyiv-based YOD Group, will offer guests a combination of experimental drinks and a menu influenced by Asian and Eastern European cuisines.

FlipDog’s ground floor features an intimate 12-seat bar with exclusive opening hours, focusing on a curated selection of ten highballs intended for early evening drinking. Meanwhile, the basement, with an 80-person capacity, offers a more immersive environment and will operate from 5pm to 11pm on weekdays and until 2am on Fridays and Saturdays.

The drinks programme is led by head bartender Igor Brovko, who brings over a decade of international experience, including time at Tayēr + Elementary and as a Bacardi brand ambassador. The cocktail menu is divided into two sections: the Flip10, which features ten drinks each built around a specific bartending technique, and a second menu of 12 signature serves that reinterpret classic cocktails through modern methods and unexpected flavour pairings.

A notable feature of the Flip10 menu is the use of the historic loggerhead method, in which an iron poker heated to 1200°C is used to alter the texture and aroma of cocktails. Examples include Morning at the Platform, which uses the hot loggerhead to intensify roasted and caffeinated notes, and Foggy Morning, employing a chilled loggerhead for a layered effect. Other drinks, such as Cab Ride at Night, are aged in clay, while At the Pub pays homage to the half pint through carbonation.

The food menu, overseen by chef Anton Vasyliev, is designed to complement the drinks and encourage sharing. Dishes include a Chicken Katsu Sandwich, Thai-Style Beef Tartare, a Niçoise-Style Octopus Skewer, Matcha Trifle and Lemon & Yuzu Posset.

Discussing the opening, Skapenko and Kostenyuk said: “Opening FlipDog’s doors on 14^th March marks an incredibly proud moment for us. We’ve created a space where everyone feels welcome, somewhere guests can enjoy great service, exceptional cocktails and thoughtful food in an elevated yet approachable setting. Everything we do is rooted in care and intention, from the techniques behind our drinks to the atmosphere we’ve built across the bar. We look forward to welcoming as many guests as possible through our doors and sharing everything FlipDog has to offer.”

Food Desk

FlipDog opens on 14^th March 2026 at Imperial Hall, 104-122 City Road, London EC1V 2NR. For further information or to book a table, visit the bar’s website here.