Homerton? Nope, us neither.

The postcode is of course a clue and E9 is in Hackney

Still, even after living in London for 30 years, we had to look it up (sorry Homerton).

Machine No. 3? Strange name. What is that all about?

The premises used to be a laundrette in a previous life and of course the machines were numbered, hence the name. The original washing machine covers can still be found as wall art in the toilets. But thankfully, the rest of the bar is not themed (not even the cocktails!) and the space has been completely transformed into a spacious and light bar, the exposed red bricks giving it the feel of  bar maybe in rural France or Italy.

And in Homerton it is where you can now find Machine No. 3, a neighbourhood cocktail bar that is the new venture behind the people of The Three Compasses in Dalston, but a very different venture. The Three Compasses is a proper pub, Machine No, 3 is a bar, open seven days a week, serving an interesting array of bio-dynamic and organic wines, craft beer and cheese and charcuterie boards. And of course cocktails!

  

Sister and brother Lauren and Antony Johns and their partner, Frenchman Briac Le Camus, picked the location in Well Street as it is a blossoming area of Hackney and their bar will be joining quite a few new businesses that have started to transform the area, like The Gun, Well Street Kitchen, Mother Kelly’s Bottle Shop.

  

Robin Summers, the manager of Machine No. 3 and a seasoned veteran of the drinks industry, is responsible for the seasonal cocktail menu and at the press launch last week we were treated to a few of the choices:

The Right Hand – Havana Anejo Especial, Campari, Vermouth, Xocolatl Mole

Rose Marie – Wyborowa, Elderflower liqueur, Lemon, Honey & Rosemary

The Long Hello – Calvados Vincent, Elderflower liqueur, Bitters, Fizz, Nutmeg

Tommy’s Margarita – Olmeca Blanco, Lime, Agave, Salt

Ford – Jenson’s Old Tom, Noilly Prat, Benedictine

All were expertly made and delicious and the prices are very reasonable at £6.50 to £8.

  

Machine No. 3 doesn’t have a hot menu, but both the cheese and charcuterie boards come highly recommended and are sourced, along with the fresh bread, from Lorem Ipsum.

  

And on Fridays and Saturdays there will be a DJ playing tunes to match the party mood.

So? What’s the verdict?

Will we make the trip to Homerton again to visit Machine No.3?

Definitely. The bar has a very friendly vibe, the people are nice. The cocktails are delicious and so is the food. And it’s not that difficult to get there. Homerton Overground station close by and the No. 30 bus from Islington took 20 minutes or so and stops about three minutes walk away from the bar.

Opening hours:

Mo-Thur 5pm – 12pm

Fri & Sat 5pm – 1am

Sun 5pm – 11pm

https://www.facebook.com/MachineNo3/?fref=ts