East London’s favourite hidden hot spot, The Natural Philosopher, is reopening on 15th October 2025
The Mac repair shop speakeasy lives on! The Natural Philosopher has been a favourite cocktail hangout in East London for over 10 years. The bar built a community of regulars and newcomers alike who are drawn to its hidden location and creative cocktails. This August, the previous owner shared news that the venue would be closing, but it’s been announced today that The Natural Philosopher will reopen its doors from Wednesday 15th October under a brand-new, expert set of hands at the realm.
Allison Crawbuck & Rhys Everett, the alt duo behind The Absinthe Parlour at The Last Tuesday Society and Devil’s Botany Distillery, have taken over the reigns of the Hackney Road cocktail bar and they will be reopening The Natural Philosopher, keeping its cult speakeasy spirit alive, but with a new focus – whisky!
What’s new at The Natural Philosopher
Step through The MacSmith’s and you’ll find The Natural Philosopher — a bar for the curious, a neighbourhood hideout with low lights, strong drinks, and an unconventional whisky list that never stands still.
At the heart of the newly reopened Natural Philosopher is a curated rotating collection of 24 whiskies — world drams, cult classics, and oddballs chosen for craft, story, and flavour. When a bottle runs dry, a new expression takes its place. Never overpriced, never overcomplicated, and never left to gather dust — our selection is constantly evolving. Enter a space to explore, discover, and enjoy drams from all over the world!
Visit The Natural Philosopher every Wednesday for an evening dedicated to exceptional whiskies, featuring regular whisky tastings, special cocktail menus, and signature tasting flights. The menu will feature eight signature cocktails, highballs and proper pickle backs - a nod to the bar’s previous owner!
The new opening hours from 15th October 2025 are Wednesday 6PM-11PM, Thursday 6PM-11PM, Friday 6PM-1AM, Saturday 4PM-1AM.
“Expect all the fun of a late-night neighbourhood bar, but in a hidden and completely unexpected setting. We’ve put whisky centre stage with approachable pours, playful flights, and a menu that invites you to explore. Pop in for a cocktail, find yourself staying for a beer and a whisky.”
— Allison Crawbuck, co-owner of The Natural Philosopher
“We like bottles of whisky with personality, we’re not looking for mantelpiece trophies. If a dram shows character, it earns a spot; when it’s empty, we move on — the shelf changes, the room feels alive, and the conversation keeps moving. The list stays restless so there’s always something new to discover.”
– Rhys Everett, co-owner of The Natural Philosopher
About Allison Crawbuck & Rhys Everett
Allison Crawbuck (Brooklyn) and Rhys Everett (London) are the pioneering spirits behind some of East London's most curious institutions. They opened The Absinthe Parlour at The Last Tuesday Society in 2016, creating a drinking den, delighting guests with curious storytelling and precise cocktails. During the pandemic they pivoted from bar owners to distillers, first experimenting at home before founding Devil’s Botany Distillery in East London in 2020 — the UK’s first dedicated absinthe distillery. They’re also authors of Spirits of the Otherworld, which blends together the two worlds of mixology with the macabre. Now, they’re channeling that same curiosity into The Natural Philosopher: a whisky-driven hideout with a restless, welcoming soul. Get ready to step through The MacSmith's and explore a brand new chapter of discovery!
Press/Trade enquiries & bookings: [info@naturalphilosopher.co.uk]
Follow for menu drops & tasting announcements: [@naturalphilosopher_e2]
The Natural Philosopher, 489 Hackney Road, London E2 9ED | www.naturalphilosopher.co.uk
