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Nightjar: In conversation with founder Roisin

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Episode notes

Nightjar is London's most highly acclaimed speakeasy. It's been named in the top 50 bars in the world several years running and holds multiple industry awards. The entrance to Nightjar is through an unmarked door near a chicken shop on Old Street roundabout. You can just about hear the live jazz playing and taste the craft prohibition style cocktails being made in the bar below. Today there is no shortage of speakeasies in London but when this husband and wife team created Nightjar back in 2010 they really pioneered the trend. One review of the bar said "Nightjar is the kind of place all other speakeasies aspire to be when they grow up". The pair went on to open two more successful bars - Oriole in Smithfield Market and Swift in Old Compton Street (nearly at the same time). In this episode you'll hear of the couple's journey opening all three bars, bumps they hit along the way and how they overcame them, and the kits you can get from them during the lockdown. But first we spoke to Roisin about her experience contracting Corona virus at 28 weeks pregnant!

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