Located beneath the buzz of Stoke Newington Road — number 36 to be precise — Parasol brings a bold new chapter to Dalston nightlife. Located on the site of the former nightclub, The Nest, this subterranean cocktail bar is the latest venture from the team behind Discount Suit Company, The Sun Tavern and The Umbrella Workshop, and is open late, welcoming guests until 2am. Music is key, with DJs spinning deep-cut disco and rarities from early 1980s New York, setting an eclectic tone for evenings and nights in the capital.
The project is a collaboration between renowned hospitality figures Andy Kerr and Tom Gibson, marking their first joint outing despite long-running mutual admiration. The duo’s respective reputations precede them: Kerr as the founder of The Umbrella Project, and Gibson behind cult venues Ruby’s and Corrochio’s.
Earthy and warm, the design pays homage to time spent living and working in Mexico and Morocco, while also reflecting the creative reuse philosophy. A bar top and lighting fixtures made from reclaimed malting tiles, oak seating hand-split by carpenters, and globally sourced lighting, including delicate paper shades and Galician sconces, bring a handmade quality to the space.
Parasol’s cocktail list continues The Umbrella Project’s reputation for inventive drinks. Classics are reimagined in their development lab with standout serves including the June Bug, a tropical mix of overproof rum, yellow chartreuse, pineapple and banana; the Rude Cosmo, a tequila-forward update on the pink-hued staple with lingonberry and lemon verbena; and the El Diablo Guapo, blending mezcal, palo santo, tonka bean and Umbrella London ginger beer for a bold, spicy hit.
The drinks list extends to a curated wine selection by Provisions Wine & Cheese, highlighting small French and Italian producers working with organic and biodynamic methods. The food offering follows suit, with bar snacks complementing the confident, expressive drinks list.
Distinctive in both design and offering, Parasol Dalston is set to be a new neighbourhood favourite for those in this ever-changing ‘hood.
Photography, courtesy Parasol Dalston.
