Award-winning bar Swift launched in Borough
The layout of the two storey space on Borough High Street mirrors the iconic Soho original. Upstairs, guests are welcomed into a light, bright no-reservations space with a curated menu of classic-inspired and aperitivo drinks. Swift favourites such as the Swift Irish Coffee and Sgroppino are available alongside classic cocktails on request and Borough Upstairs also hosts the Swift Aperitivo Hour every day until 6pm, with all Aperitivos just £7.
In keeping with the distinct identities of the other two sites, Swift Borough reflects the unique neighbourhood, amongst other things partnering with Borough Market's stellar community of stallholders to spotlight seasonal produce. Starting with Fig, which will be available upstairs: Olympian with Fig armagnac, lemon sherbet, sparkling wine; Celeste with Beefeater gin, fig puree, hazelnut orgeat, lemon; and Desert King with Amontillado sherry, fig, orange sherbet & lemon.
Downstairs, Back Pocket offers a more intimate, seated-only area with an original, high-concept menu with 11 original cocktails created by the award-winning team. Inspired by the history, the people and the surroundings of the Borough landscape, the menu is a liquid guide through the rich and often overlooked history of Southwark.
An ode to Octavia Hill, a social reformer who spearheaded the building of social housing, Octavia is a fruity and clean number leading with gin, cantaloupe with a hint of Menthe Pastille. Biscuit Town, an old nickname for the area following the establishment of the Peek Freans Biscuit factory in 1873, is made with a malt milk scotch whisky base, laced with dark cacao and infused with chocolate and vanilla bitters- a short yet boozy tipple. The Rose Theatre, named for the famed Shakespearean stage, is a nutty and tangy twist leading with vodka, blackcurrant and lemon with a warm hint of hazelnut and topped with prosecco. Crossbones was the final resting place for some of the poorest Londoners, Swift's interpretation is made with Myers' rum, Cognac, Jagermeister Manifest, Pineapple sherbet and lemon and serves as a strong finisher.
The team at Swift Borough is spearheaded by vbenue manager Rachel Reid, who began her career with Swift in 2019 before quickly rising to senior bartender at Swift Soho. Cofounder Bobby Hiddleston adds, "Borough is such a quintessential part of London, known the world over for its amazing produce, restaurants and nightlife. We are delighted to have the opportunity to collaborate with such a vibrant community to bring our vision of Swift Borough to life."
