If you know, you know – that’s the general gist behind NAÂMi. Inspired by a road trip Oli Frost (co-owner of the neighbouring Maman and Milky Lane) and his dad Geoffery (hint, remember that name) took traveling around Southeast Asia, NAÂMi transports you to the bustling backstreets of Vietnam. Everything, from the password you need to unlock the secret entry through to the extravagant sips billowing with smoke and theatrics, is designed to linger in your memory long after you’ve left – the way all of the best far-flung adventures abroad do. The immersive experience is best enjoyed perched at the bar, where you can nab a front-row seat to see bottles flying through the air with flair. Need the back support? There is also a handful of high tables and horseshoe-shaped booths sitting pretty beneath an array of colourful paper parasols suspended from the ceiling. To the left is a DJ booth that will pump out bangers every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night.
As for the drinkables, there are a dozen tastebud-tingling concoctions to wet your whistle including the Naami No. 5, which consists of chilli-infused tequila, Campari, watermelon, pink grapefruit, fresh lime, and dill. Every one of the cocktails has been perfectly balanced in terms of its flavour profile so it hits in all the right places. The Instant Zombie is another must-try with three different kinds of rum, kaffir lime, lemongrass sherbert and chilli served in a noodle cup. Whispers claim that there will be a secret cocktail in coming weeks that may or may not be hidden amongst the bar, for those with a keen eye (or a fondness for self-help books).
NAÂMi officially opens to the public on Thursday May 6. Slide over to our Stumble Guide for details.