Made in the Shade is now closed.
With dapper drinking denizens Jeremy Thompson Jewitt, Jim Wrigley and Peter Lewis turning Made in the Shade's cocktail cogs, this Hoxton liquid lair was just as much an experience as the chance to drink hearty; which for the record, we did.
The Venue
Bore behind steel shutters of hazy blue woodland graffiti, Made in the Shade may feel pretty out of tidings in its high street surroundings, but heck, you don't even have to look outside. A broody main bar of vintage furnishings, table plots, a traditional oak back bar, artistic murals and a foosball table thrown in for good measure, Made in the Shade is a simple and sumptuous room that Don Draper would dabble freely in thanks to its dated and darling appeal.
A laid-back bar with vintage vibes, Made in the Shade is appealing to those with dated hankerings.
The Drinks
I thought that cocktails I home-made came with a somewhat unnecessarily heavy level of liquor distribution, until I went to Made in the Shade that is; boy oh boy do these concoctions pack a hefty punch, in the best of ways. This was a Friday night after all, I had inhibitions to lose. One of the best decisions we made at MITS was to tuck into their UFC: The Ultimate Fucking Cocktail. No, it wasn't my chance to put these burly babe muscles to good measure (pah, I lie); this is straight up liquor served hard, on the rocks, for a sufficient £10. And while many may be taken aback by the price, our cocktail came with a competitive table toy, reminiscent of some kind of early 90s Kinder treat, you know, when Kinder toys came with any real semblance of fun. Heck, I'd pay at least £11 for that late-night leisure.
Don't worry if you can't dabble in such tough liquid stuff, Made in the Shade's cocktail menu was still a cool mash-up of classics and off-kilter concoctions ranging from £8-£12.
Cocktails come up trumps at Made in the Shade thanks to their boisterous mixes and bold menu.
The Atmosphere
With interiors that are so intrinsically Mad Men themed, it was no wonder that candlelit tables cut through the dim room with such charm. From dining groups and late-night schmoozers to bar buddies propped up against the woodwork, Made in the Shade isn't a tustle of elbows and it isn't a shimmy of skirts, but it is a great place to crack on with a chat and enjoy the company of a room following the same suit. And as for the service? Spot on, subtle and super snappy when it came to getting drinks to our table. Down with the dance floors and up with the ambience I say!
Ambience and atmosphere is something that Made in the Shade seem to have got spot on.
Summary
Made in the Shade may miss out on some of Hoxton's prominent footfall, but the fact that you have to get hammy with Google Maps over this dapper drinking den only makes it all the more appealing to those after bespoke cocktails and a broody vibe. You guys may have been Made in the Shade, but you're a little liquid light on Hoxton Street.
