Prohibition-era speakeasies weren’t glamorous, elegant cocktail bars, but rather dens of iniquity and illegal drinking. That’s the premise behind Murder Inc., a compact basement bar offering good times and even better hospitality, without a hint of pretension – a venue that embodies the seeming contradiction of being a neighbourhood bar in central London.

The current cocktail menu, ‘Fuck Around & Find Out’, sums things up nicely, packed as it is with irreverent takes on classics that all have their origin in a crazy idea or dare. There’s the World’s Only Blended Gin Martini, served as a -15ºC slushie, and a similarly rule-breaking Dive Bar Old Fashioned. “Tastes like a sticky bar top,” the menu explains.

All of the drinks on the list are the same, reasonable price, achieved in part by a close attention to minimising waste. Indeed, all of the spirits on the back bar are priced the same too, regardless of how you have them, and the team will make anything you want, including a variety of booze-free options. The menu itself, printed on recycled paper, also includes games to play while waiting for company. 

There are plenty of in-house ingredients in use, sometimes made in unexpected ways. A salted lemon oleo saccharum, for example, is made with a microwave, not a sous vide – more energy-efficient, not to mention fast and consistent.

While the cocktails are undisputedly on point, it’s really all about the hospitality and atmosphere at Murder Inc., from the hearty welcome as you descend the stairs, to the personal service. Water glasses are kept topped up, and drinks arrive promptly. The menu is yours to keep, and the bill is presented, appropriately enough considering the bar’s name, in a used shotgun shell that can also be kept as a souvenir. The music, which tends towards hip hop and classic R&B, is perfectly pitched, but never too loud to stifle conversation. Team members are trained in how to direct the energy in the room via the bar’s playlists.

It’s just one element of extensive training that’s focused on each member of staff’s personal development, ensuring that their work in the bar is aligned with their goals. Every team member works in every position in the bar, from barback to front of house. Specific training, meanwhile, spans everything from ice-block cutting and classic cocktails to a full rundown of the way the business works, allowing everyone to appreciate how their work contributes to the bigger picture. 

A crucial, if less glamorous, element of training pertains to the bins – a core component of Murder Inc’s commitment to reducing waste, and operating sustainably in general. Suppliers are researched to ensure they meet the bar’s standards, and fresh produce is all organic and locally sourced where possible.