What London's Flat-Style Cocktail Bar Creators Have To Say About Drinking Out In London

Tell us who you are and what you do. 

KD: I am Kamran Dehdashti, Co-founder and MD of Little Door & Co  

JH: And I’m Jamie Hazeel – also Co-founder and MD of Little Door & Co.

Tell us more about Little Door & Co, and why people should visit. 

JH: We create vibrant bars/restaurants that are styled around flats. They look and feel like walking into someone’s home. Since 2014, we’ve been guided by a simple principle - house parties are the best parties. Our whole business is orientated around this – welcoming someone into your home is the essence of hospitality.

KD: For those who have never been to any of the Doors, the experience you get is very much that of a real house party and dinner party. We have multiple rooms or floors, and different vibes in each of those as you would find around someone’s flat; that way you can either play games in one room, have a chat and cocktail in a more relaxed sitting around the kitchen island in another room, or dance the night away to the DJ in the living room.  

What steps have you taken to expand your brand and business, and what have you learnt while navigating multiple bars and bar openings on the London scene? 

KD: The first major decision we made was to fuel faster growth by taking an equity-based investment. Not everyone believes in this course, but with 5 knock-out venues under our belts, we believe it was the right decision! We’ve recently been able to level up our HO and employ true specialists in each of our departments – something we take as a true representation of how far we’ve grown since our initial start-up days.  

JH: One of the most important lessons we’ve learnt is how crucial it is to be selective about sites. Opening a venue is a fairly enormous commitment – both in terms of cost and time.  It’s an all-consuming and incredible journey to take, but only when you’re as sure as possible that it’ll come good. Every business’s push and pulls for the perfect site will be different – make sure you’re certain of yours! 

The Little Violet Door.

Tell us more about your newest bar and what people should know. 

JH: Our newest venue, The Little Violet Door is one of our favourite expressions of our brand to date. Firstly, the interiors are absolutely stunning in their warmth and homeliness. What is more though, we’ve been able to take so many fun and playful home-style cues - from a hidden laundry room, to a games room; from a photo-perfect bathroom to our very own kitchen disco; from a Nintendo with Mario Kart to a fancy dress wardrobe… 

KD: People should know that we style each of our Doors to mimic a flat of that neighbourhood, really pulling from its heritage and cultural backgrounds. That way, our venues can be rooted in the same house party experience yet have a totally distinct feel. As such, we really wanted the venue to pull from Carnaby’s heyday; when it was a hub for fashion and the arts in the swinging 60’s. We wanted it to be steeped in that vibrant, fun and distinctly London energy.  

If anyone is ordering just one cocktail from any of the Little Door & Co venues, which is it and why? 

JH: We name all our cocktails after iconic films and TV shows – with some classics that have stayed on our menu for a very long time. A firm favourite is “Mad Men” – a fantastic hash up of a Manhattan and an Amaretto Sour. It appeals to whiskey drinkers and whiskey sceptics alike.

KD: I love the Sex in the city, which is a Lychee and Tarragon Picante with Altos Plata Tequila. It is fresh and spicy, perfect for the summer, but is also served in a homeware style, which is very us. For larger groups, I love our “Little Miss Sunshine” Disco ball sharers- super fun and they’re great for photos.

If you’re heading anywhere after a shift at one of the Little Door & Co venues, where are you going and why? 

JH: One of my most memorable meals in a long time was a fantastic late-night feast at Dumplings Legends after our first launch party for The Little Violet Door.

KD: Ha ha my days of heading anywhere that late are well gone sadly…so to bed sadly! 

The Little Scarlett Door.

What are your thoughts on the London cocktail scene at the moment? 

KD: I think the great bars are thriving, and the average ones are struggling. Covid and the cost of living crisis have led to people being more selective about their nights out, so you have to offer more than just being an average cocktail bar. People demand more, so if it’s just cocktails they are after, they will go to the best, or they will go for an experience, such as ours.  

JH: Our industry has had an incredibly difficult time lately. I’ve been so thrilled to see how many new businesses and concepts are still opening. It seems that no matter how tough it is, there is still many people who want to do great things – and so many people who still want to enjoy them! London really does love a drink… 

What does London’s cocktail scene have above other cities in the world? 

JH: I’ve always found the unbelievable variety of neighbourhoods in London so compelling. It really is a collection of villages - each with their own distinct identity. I love how you can go to different areas and enjoy such completely diverse experiences and vibes.  

KD: Variety! There seems to be everything for everyone, from throwing axes to Jamaican reggae bars to live music and burlesque, bingo & more. You can’t get bored here.

Finally, if you could only use one cocktail ingredient for all of your drinks for the rest of time, which is it and why? 

KD: Impossible question to answer, especially as I have never made a cocktail in my life.

JH: My partner has an incredible brand making cocktail bitters called The Bitter Club. The Orange & Cinnamon version makes the best Old Fashioned – my go-to cocktail of choice.