Bluethroat Brixton

You'll find yourself down Atlantic Road in Brixton, pushing through the door of what looks like it could be anything, then descending into a no-nonsense basement bar where they actually know what they're doing with spirits. The space is deliberately unfussy—exposed brick, dim lighting, properly trained bartenders who won't judge you for ordering a Negroni but will absolutely make you think about it. This is the kind of place where your drink arrives correct, the ice is proper, and the people behind the bar have clearly spent time learning their craft rather than just memorising Instagram recipes.