Kingsland Road has long been a capital of London’s drinking culture, boasting everything from slick, futuristic mixology labs to dark, New York-inspired drinking dens. From Three Sheets to A Bar With Shapes for a Name, the strip has seen its fair share of new concepts in recent years – though its latest might prove tricky to find.
Hidden behind a concealed wall beneath new Italian restaurant Hoax, in the space that was Chick ‘n’ Sours, The Devil You Know is a sultry new speakeasy by husband-and-wife duo Simone and Lidia Crepaldi.
The bar’s warm, modern lighting and sleek banquettes, as well as its teal tones, cosy tables, black walls and chequered floor echo classic Italian design, while punk collages and blue neon lighting are designed to kick typical speakeasy conventions to the curb. “Lidia did all of the design,” says Simone. “We wanted it to feel dark and intimate. It’s the devil you know, right? So it had to suit the name but also feel warm and intimate when you come with your friends.”
Simone leads on the drinks, bringing more than 15 years of experience in the industry, including his current role as general and operations manager at Callooh Callay, where he has overseen the cocktail programme since 2019 and helped maintain the bar’s on-and-off presence on the World’s 50 Best Bars list. “I really love [Callooh Callay’s] ethos,” Simone says. “I want it to be fun. I want it to be approachable. I want everyone to feel welcome. It’s all about doing things properly, but having fun – that, for me, is non-negotiable.”
Classic cocktails are available on request, while the main cocktail menu will change every few months. Since it opened in December, quirky takes on the classics, including a truffle-spiked Martini and a tiramisu Espresso Martini – starring dark rum, amaro, two shots of espresso and a tall whip of mascarpone cream – have already become favourites among locals.
Nevertheless, the Mexican Spritz cocktail is one Simone is particularly proud of: a highball starring a choice of tequila or mezcal, mixed with Crodino cordial and soda, it has the light effervescence of an Italian spritz with a distinctive Mexican-flavoured kick. “It’s very simple and refreshing, but complex enough to take you on a journey when you sip it. Ultimately, when you taste a drink it needs to tell you a story, it needs to bring you on a trip. It can’t be too flat.” The key? “Even if it has three flavours you need to be able to recognise every one of them, otherwise there is no point, in my opinion.”
The same thought is funnelled into The Devil You Know’s selection of non-alcoholic cocktails, including booze-free takes on the Penicillin, East 8 Hold Up and a classic Italian spritz.
Eventually, the Crepaldis hope they’ll host takeovers with bartenders from likeminded bars and restaurants. “We want to be a hub where people can come and collaborate and showcase their talents,” Simone says. “From March onwards we’ll be inviting people first from the UK then, later, from all over the world.” What they’re really excited about, though, is getting people looking for the secret door. “We can’t wait for people to come and find us.”
The Devil You Know
390 Kingsland Road, E8 4AA
Hours:
Thu 5pm–midnight
Fri & Sat 5pm–1am
Sun 5pm–11pm
