If you like brunch, Afrobeats, and bottomless drinks, this London restaurant might be just what you’re looking for. ESQ Bar & Grill, located in south London on Old Kent Road, is a Black-owned restaurant that focuses on African cuisine, a noteworthy cocktail menu, and good vibes.
Sophisticated Flair
A bit unassuming from the outside, the restaurant’s interior looks and feels like a lounge that’s as fitting for an after-work cocktail as it is for a weekend hangout or romantic outing. The space is fairly intimate and offers plush seating with a sophisticated design that feels modern and bright all at once. The restaurant has group and duo seating, as well as booths and tables throughout. There are also several photo opportunities with wall and mirror installations inside.
The Menu at ESQ Bar & Grill
ESQ Bar & Grill’s menu largely focuses on African heritage and cuisine, with items like jollof, Nigerian suya, spicy chili-paste chicken wings, lamb cutlets, and more. Other popular items include BBQ beef ribs, spicy-fried gizzard, and vegetarian options like veggie spring rolls and pasta.
The cocktail menu includes several internationally-known cocktails, like a Mai Tai, Pornstar Martini, Long Island Ice Tea, and other in-house specials. For example, the FJ EQ Signature is an apricot liquor with bourbon, lemon juice, and fresh lemon peel. Other cocktails include a Negroni, Tequila Sunrise, and margaritas, among others.
Famous Weekday Drunch
One of the many attractions of the restaurant is its weekly “drunch” option. Similar to bottomless brunch, drunch at ESQ is a bottomless dinner version that includes unlimited signature cocktails and a shareable palette of favorites from the menu.
For about $60 per person, guests get unlimited cocktails for 90 minutes and can choose between three options: a seafood dish, linguine, or a “mixed grill” that includes several tastings of popular items from the menu.
Atmosphere
In addition to the food and drinks, ESQ is known for its vibe curation. Often with a live DJ, the restaurant plays music from popular Afrobeats, Amapiano, Highlife, hip-hop, and R&B. The DJ also typically takes requests and, during brunch, encourages guests to dance and move about the restaurant in between bites.
A visit to ESQ Bar & Grill, especially for weekend brunch or weekday drunch, is a great stop to add to your list of things to do in London.