Lab 22 is Cardiff’s critically-acclaimed and independently run cocktail bar, found in the heart of the city centre
Founded in 2014, Lab 22 is a fusion of music and science- gripping the attention of customers with the individuality of its thematic base. Awarded Best Bar in the UK 2022 and Worlds Best Cocktail Menu 2021, Lab 22 is far from ordinary. The bar tenders extensive knowledge and passion for experimentation is a magnet for curiosity.
The bar has produced three years of menus which on intend on unravelling the future of scientific method. This can be demonstrated through the titles and descriptions of cocktails such as ‘Casual Loop’, ‘Climate Change’ and ‘Concrete Daisy’. The bespoke menus offer an insight into the black hole on undiscovered knowledge.
Offering an innovative blend of music and science, Monday night brings about Cardiff’s longest-running live music event; focussing on a rich selection of jazz and nostalgic floor-fillers. The unexpected partnership might be unfamiliar to the average drinker, however, Ewan Grieve, Bar Tender, described music theory as ‘the science of wobbly air’, demonstrating the extraordinary harmony of taste and sound.
The staff thrive on the intimacy of the work place, described best by Sam Lloyd, Bar-man, who said ‘hospitality is governed by closeness’. The bar has a reliance on togetherness, the clear relationship between the staff adding to the enticing atmosphere. Its independence proves the success of creative freedom and expression of personal opinion, allowing the staff to indulge in their expertise . They excel in customer service, happily answering questions or taking requests outside of the menu.
The bar specialises in its attention to detail to emulsify the focus on the ever-expansive study of science. Ewan Grieve stressed the importance of instilling nostalgia by using scientific equipment such as conical flasks to hand the bill.
Research pays tribute to scientific legacy, exploring the accomplishments of scientists through the art of cocktail making. As a pioneer of science, Albert Einstein has become the face of the brand- you’ll even find him stamped across the ice cubes!
Lab 22 aims to be a vacuum for cocktail lovers, the fine-dining of nightlife.