Housed in a Grade-II listed building at 245 Hackney Road sits Equal Parts, a green-tiled haven for cocktail lovers who enjoy discovering new and often unchampioned spirits and fortified wines. Led by Carina Soto Velasquez, the bar has a laser-sharp focus on top quality ingredients while also making drinks remarkably affordable.

Inside, the bronze, mirrored back bar is matched with a raw plaster finish, Japanese wood panelling and reclaimed 1960s Czech lighting fixtures which all add to the eclectic charm. Add to that the unique and curated record collection that spans Afro, Psych and Caribbean music and Equal Parts is a cozy haven away from the thoroughfare of the road outside.

The drinks offering shines a spotlight on European bitters and amaros as well as an impressive mezcal selection, and over the year things like sherry and Fernet are infused with seasonal ingredients to give them the Equal Parts treatment. A philosophy of drinks being simple and prepared in equal measures is the approach of the team to its cocktails.

Its menu changes every three months with weekly additions to keep regulars on their toes. It’s divided into three main components: a low-and-no offering alongside wine and beer, an Equal Parts section with four cocktails that use equal parts in ingredients (and is a nod to Negroni lovers), and a section with eight signature cocktails. One of its best sellers is Flor, which combines clarified tomato water, fino sherry and vodka.

The team at Equal Parts is given an excellent grounding in terms of training, with Velasquez believing in a transparent system and open-book approach to give them the best possible chance of understanding how to make not only delicious but financially viable drinks. Most of all, the concept of ‘balance’ lies at the heart of everything, and the team strives for quality over novelty not only in drinks but in ambience and service too.

Their attention to detail also expands to the glassware, clear-cut ice, diversity in colour of the cocktails and the minimisation of waste in the form of garnishes. The fact that the bar is also has access to its own importer means they can list things like wine from the likes of Baja California, Tenerife and Georgia.

The bar is probably the best place to sit, with 15 seats available for people who are interested in eye-balling the back bar’s intriguing spirits selection, in particular the agave distillates from all over Mexico. Downstairs, an event space is also on offer for up to 45 standing and 36 sitting if you want to have a celebration accompanied by quality and curated drinks.

Be sure to check out the back page of the menu too where the team have listed all their favourite places in Hackney – Equal Parts is a community bar with a passion for sharing the love.