Created by husband and wife team Veronica Di Pietrantonio and Pietro Collina, Viajante87 is a subterranean cocktail lounge that pays homage to Latin spirits. Inspired by their travels across the region, the menu focuses on Latin American ingredients, always taking care to show cultural appreciation and not appropriation. 

The menu is designed to give an insight into culinary influences of the region, either as a taste of something new or as a deeper immersion. Splitting drinks into five sections encourages this – Be Comfortable, Be Curious, Be Courageous, Be Present and Be Involved – which quickly ascertains to the staff whether guests are looking for the classics or want to discover something more experimental. The menu also includes an elixir that is said to help process alcohol and alleviate any potential hangovers.

While they boast a list of over 200 agave-based spirits, there are many other lesser known Latin American spirits to discover too – aguardiente, pox, different types of rums and cachacas. They also create a lot of additional ingredients in-house – from syrups to cordials and infusions. They have access to a fully working kitchen with equipment such as a combi oven, centrifuge and rotovap – which means they are able to prolong the life and maximise the output of any fresh ingredients that arrive from visiting friends. This hugely reduces wastage but also leads to some deliciously unique drinks. Anything that can’t be sourced from Latin America is recreated to the best of their ability in house and they are the only bar in the UK creating their own Pechuga – a Mezcal distilled with chicken or turkey breast. There’s plenty of sharing drinks on the menu – to foster a familial sense of community and garnishes are kept to a minimum, usually repurposed from offcuts of fruits or vegetables that would otherwise go to waste. 

The music in Viajante87 is an on-going work in progress and is a combination of different styles of music from the whole of the region of Latin America. The team have spent a long time researching new artists in order to feature music that reflects both the history of the region and also new eras. Again – friends are called upon to suggest new and emerging artists to ensure the eclectic playlist is fresh for guests. 

Plush sofas and low ceilings give Viajante87 a cosy vibe, while changing light plays across the recycled cork walls. The recycled glass bar reflects the illuminations, adding to the movement of the space. It’s a far cry from the main road outside and the unassuming door which leads you down here. 

The team advocates for diversity and inclusion, advertising for new team members on job boards that are free to apply to, and including their equality statement on all posts. With so many languages across the team – all their training has a translation function to ensure there’s no barrier to education and improving skills. Additionally, they work with multiple charities such as OAPA, providing job opportunities to disadvantaged backgrounds and meals are donated to The Felix Project, a charity that redistributes food throughout the city. 

Every week they take time to share team goals in their staff briefings, which is always opened by the bar director with a ‘Good Evening everybody!’ to which the team yells back ‘Good Evening!’ This high energy is maintained until they open for service and receive their first guests.