Late night bar Parasol to open in Dalston

Parasol London founders Andy Kerr and Tom Gibson
Parasol London founders Andy Kerr and Tom Gibson (©Parasol)

The team behind neighbourhood bars Discount Suit Company, The Sun Tavern and The Umbrella Workshop is set to open a new cocktail bar in Dalston this spring.

Parasol is promising to bring cutting-edge cocktails to Stoke Newington Road when it takes over the site that was previously home to Dalston nightclub The Nest.

The subterranean venue, with space for 150 people, is the brainchild of local duo Andy Kerr, founder of The Umbrella Project in Shoreditch, and Tom Gibson, who founded Stoke Newington bar Ruby’s, before opening Corrochio’s with Amy and Daniel Corrochio in May 2024 as well as north London Pub The Bluecoats.

Long-time friends and industry leaders, Parasol represents their long awaited debut project together.

“Since first meeting in Stoke Newington 12 years ago and working together on the Ruby’s cocktail concept, we’ve had the dream of working together on our own project, in our own neighbourhood,” says Kerr and Gibson.

“Now feels like the perfect time for us to launch Parasol, with Dalston’s nightlife and culture seeing a great resurgence, which we’re both tremendously excited about.”

Parasol’s menu is yet to be revealed, but drinks will be in a similar vein to those of The Umbrella Project, including riffs on classics and a seasonally changing signature house menu, which is currently under development in their development lab at The Umbrella Workshop.

There will also be an extensive wine list and bar snack menu available courtesy of friends Provisions Wine & Cheese.