Bar Lina: Hidden Speakeasy in the Heart of Soho

Where to find the best Italian cocktails and bar snacks in Soho? It has been under our noses the entire time. There is a hidden speakeasy in the middle of Soho, beneath the Lina Stores Deli. They serve Italian-inspired cocktails and complimentary snacks that come straight from their deli upstairs.

You have probably walked passed Lina Stores Delicatessen in Soho on Brewer Street countless times. But did you know, underneath the brightly-lit, pale teal deli that offers everything Italian in the best quality is their speakeasy - Bar Lina.

With deep burgundy walls and ceilings, leather seating and a brightly lit bar against the dark atmosphere, entering into Bar Lina feels like you've entered into a snazzy private member's club.

It's the perfect bar to go if you want to impress.

How it works

You can book for a table online or walk straight into Lina's Deli and ask their server for a seat at their underground bar. I stumbled upon the bar the first time when the famous Thai restaurant Kiln just down the road informed me about my 1hr 40min wait for a table and I decided to kill time before dinner with a nice apéro. Thankfully Bar Lina managed to squeeze us into a table and gosh it was the best experience.

Great drinks and stunning bites in the heart of Soho, what more can one ask for.

Bar Lina has two locations, one in Soho and one in Shoreditch. Having visited the Shoreditch one, I can say that my favourite is definitely this Soho branch. Whilst the venue is a lot smaller, the drinks on offer are tastier and you definitely have the added benefit of receiving snacks from the deli upstairs which the Shoreditch branch, nestled underneath Lina Store Restaurant, does not have the privilege of. It's the perfect spot to kill time with the best drinks and snacks when the best of Soho's restaurants you are queuing for have a 1hr wait.

The drinks

The main reason why I prefer the Soho Bar Lina more than their Shoreditch twin is their drinks menu. The two bars offer a different list of drinks to each other and the Soho one definitely suits my palate more. Specifically, their 'Zafferano' - a cocktail made from their homemade saffron liqueur, white vermouth, bitter bianco, white tea and lemon - is an ambrosia. With a light foam on top, Zafferano is very easy-drinking with a nice savoury fragrance thanks to the saffron. The sweetness of the drink is also very mild, almost like it's been delicately sweetened by some acacia honey. The white tea and lemon components of the drink makes it light and refreshing, even non-drinkers will find themselves sipping on this one quite eagerly. Maybe because I was always having such a good time at Bar Lina, but I never tasted the alcohol in my Zafferanos.

Another notable mention is their 'Italia 90' which is made from sage infused gin, honey, lavender, lemon and Prosecco. You look at this ingredients list and you know, this drink can do no wrong. This is another savoury, easy-drinking cocktail that will keep you at Bar Lina all night long.

The snacks

One of the best things about Bar Lina Soho is their snacks that come straight from their deli upstairs. Not only are they of quality, they are complimentary and given in generous portions. What's more, these plates of snacks come with every drink you order...

That's what I call a proper apéro.

The first snack that you'd usually receive is their deep fried ravioli stuffed with spinach and ricotta, covered with a dusting of pecorino. It's the perfect treat when you're starving and waiting for your dinner table in Soho that is still an hour away from being available. Not to mention, these snacks pair perfectly with the Italian cocktails on offer.

I recall visiting Bar Lina on New Year's Eve and the second glass of Zafferano came with a plateful of lovely pickles and focaccia (pictured). My companions got either a plate of cold cuts or cheeses to go with their bread. Long story short, we rolled out of Bar Lina tipsy and stuffed.

The recommendation

Whether you are waiting for a table in Soho and would like to grab a pre-dinner drink with friends, or you're looking for a nice place to grab a digestive after dinner, or even if you're looking for a nice intimate venue for an apéro that lasts the whole night, I do recommend going to Bar Lina Soho. Best thing is to book in a table online since this speakeasy can get quite busy. I promise you a snazzy night. Cin-cin!