Tayer + Elementary
Alessandro Scire CalabrisottoShare
In the heart of east London sits a bar of two distinct personalities under one roof. Tayer + Elementary has, in just a few short years, become a byword for the progressive cocktail bar — a place where world-class technique meets genuine warmth, and where the future of drinking feels like it is being written in real time.
History
Tayer + Elementary was opened in 2019 by Monica Berg and Alex Kratena, two of the most respected names in the modern bar world. Kratena had earned international acclaim during his celebrated tenure at London's Artesian, while Berg had built a formidable reputation of her own as a bartender, creator and thinker. Together they set out to build something that reflected their shared philosophy of hospitality.
The bar made an immediate impact. It debuted at a remarkably high position on The World's 50 Best Bars list, marking it out as one of the most exciting openings in years, and went on to climb close to the very top of that ranking. Despite the accolades, the venue has retained the easy, unpretentious spirit that defined it from the start.
What Makes It Special
The genius of the venue lies in its split design. Elementary is the light, casual, all-day space — relaxed, welcoming and perfect for a quick, beautifully made drink. Step through, and you reach Tayer: a darker, more focused room built around a large central bar, where the experience becomes more immersive and the drinks more ambitious.
Across both spaces, the approach is the same: serious craft delivered without pretension. The drinks are often deceptively simple in presentation yet remarkably complex in flavour, the product of meticulous preparation and a restless, creative curiosity. It is this balance of approachability and depth that has made the bar so influential.
Signature Serves
The menu at Tayer + Elementary is known for its concise, considered cocktails that change with the team's ideas and the seasons. Rather than relying on a fixed list of famous serves, the bar is celebrated for an ever-evolving selection built on bold flavour combinations, refined techniques and a willingness to challenge convention.
Drinks are frequently designed to be both immediate and intriguing — easy to enjoy on first sip, yet revealing layers of flavour as you go. The result is a menu that rewards both the casual visitor and the dedicated cocktail enthusiast, and which has helped shape the direction of contemporary bartending well beyond London.
Visiting Tayer + Elementary
Located in the Old Street area of east London, the bar is an essential stop for anyone serious about cocktails. Visitors can choose the mood that suits them: drop into the brighter, more informal side for a relaxed drink, or settle in at the central bar for a more involved experience guided by the team.
As one of the most acclaimed bars in the world, it can be busy, so it is wise to plan ahead. However you visit, expect warm, knowledgeable service and drinks that live up to the venue's formidable reputation — a genuine highlight of London's drinking scene.
Curiosity: A Fun Fact About Tayer + Elementary
The bar is often described as two venues in one: a casual, easy-going space and a serious, design-led cocktail room sharing the same address. This dual identity has become its signature, allowing it to welcome a relaxed after-work crowd and devoted cocktail pilgrims at the very same time.