Opened at 44 Old Street in January 2026, The Prince is a cocktail bar that’s bringing a fresh identity to the former site of The Gibson, the acclaimed cocktail bar created by Marian Beke, which closed in 2023.
Behind the new venture are hospitality veterans Will Hawes and Aaron Wall, whose experience includes London bars Callooh Callay and Homeboy. Their aim is to make expertly made cocktails feel less intimidating, combining the standards of a serious cocktail bar with the warmth of a neighbourhood local.
We visited the bar recently to try some of their standout drinks – here’s our experience.
What’s the vibe like?
Named after influential Jamaican ska musician Prince Buster, the bar takes its cues from ska, Northern Soul and vintage R&B, with dark green and gold interiors lending it a 1920s-inspired feel. It was lively when we visited on a Tuesday evening, with a few tables still available, though they didn’t stay empty for long. The compact space feels cosy, with green velvet seating adding to the old-school cocktail bar aesthetic.
And what’s the menu like?
Martinis take centre stage on the drinks menu, alongside the Black Velvet, a mix of Guinness and Champagne, and Buster’s Stout Punch, made with rum, cognac, lemon sherbet and Guinness. Bar snacks include charcuterie, olives and a ham-and-cheese toastie with crisps, making it as suited to a casual drink as a more considered evening of cocktails. But let’s cut this cake properly:
Martinis
Martini aficionados, this is your territory (and your time to shine if you’re on a date!). The menu boasts a superb selection of martinis to satisfy every taste and craving. It even breaks down the anatomy of a martini: that magic three-part combination of base spirit, vermouth and garnish, so you can build your own drink.
If you want to ease yourself into the world of martinis, we wholeheartedly recommend the Martinez (gin, sweet vermouth, maraschino and bitters). It will convert you – as it converted one of us – to the idea that martinis are far more approachable than their reputation might suggest. Strong, naturally, but exquisitely balanced, with a sweeter, rounder profile.
The second one we opted for was the Tuxedo No. 2 (gin, dry vermouth, fino, maraschino, absinthe and orange bitters), and it was utterly delectable. You can only drink so many- that’s the cruel part. We’ve found ourselves hankering after another just days after our visit. Seriously remarkable.
Another tantalising detail: every ten minutes or so, the bartender comes around to replace your martini glass with a freshly chilled one, keeping your drink at its ideal temperature. How brilliant is that? We’ve visited some of London’s swankiest bars and ordered our fair share of posh (and pricey) martinis, but we’ve never encountered this before.
Other cocktails
Still not a fan of martinis? We will judge you at this point – but, to keep the peace, here’s what you can have instead.
Buster’s Stout Punch – Jamaican rums, cognac, lemon sherbet, Guinness and nutmeg. This was actually the very first cocktail we had at the bar, on the bartender’s recommendation. It features on the front page of the menu, and, while the mix of rums and Guinness isn’t our usual tipple, it turned out to be lovely: sweet and autumnal. A great entry-level drink.
The Airmail (£15) – white rum, fresh lime juice and Champagne. This was another one we tried from the ‘Aperitivo’ list, which essentially champions lighter, easy-drinking cocktails with sparkling elements and fresh, fruity accents. Ideal if that’s more your kind of drink.
There’s also a list of ‘Daisies, Fixes and Sours’ for those who prefer their cocktails sharp, and ‘Booze Forwards’ for those not easily intimidated by a 46% ABV whisky that’ll casually knock their socks off.
Verdict
The Prince has the sort of old-school glamour that makes a Tuesday drink feel like an occasion, without the faintest suggestion that anyone needs to get dressed up for the privilege. It’s polished and refreshingly unprecious – a cocktail bar with its collar on, but certainly not its nose in the air (although the quality of the cocktails would excuse a certain level of arrogance, they were exquisite). We’ll be back to tick off the remaining martinis.
Key details
Address: 44 Old Street, London, EC1V 9AQ
Website: theprincebar.com
Socials: @theprince.bar