The Mayor Of Scaredy Cat Town

I love the idea of a speakeasy and I especially loved this place! Friendly unpretentious staff who were happy to take us to see the Mayor. This place fills up fast, we went around 1800 on a Sunday and the two of us sat on a share table. The food is delicious, try the quesadilla and sliders. More importantly, the cocktails are amazing! The Fresh N Up was deliciously refreshing, the Rye Fizz deliciously fruity and the best hot toddy I've ever been served. Will be taking my family here to show them how good a bar should be.

By Koray Hussein

This past Tuesday I went out with a few friends to the Liverpool St area… to go to a bar in a fridge. Seriously.

You’ve no doubt heard of The Breakfast Club (the eaterie, not the 1985 movie that I will drop anything and everything to watch whenever it is on television). They serve up some of the best breakfast dishes in the city and they’re kinda of reasonable when it comes to prices too. One thing you may not know however is that the Artillery Lane branch of The Breakfast Club has quite an interesting secret hiding underneath it; a secret where the waffles and eggs are replaced with something that has a little more… kick.

This secret, is called The Mayor Of Scaredy Cat Town.

There’s no street accessible to The Mayor Of Scaredy Cat Town, with the only entrance to the bar found in the actual Breakfast Club diner/restaurant. I was told before visiting this infamous hangout that the only way to gain access to TMOSCT (I’ll be damned if I’m going to write that long-ass name every time) was to rock up to the front of The Breakfast Club queue and ask to see the mayor… However, me being me, I completely forgot and just up and asked to go down to TMOSCT. The server looked at me through narrowed eyes before telling us to take a seat and wait for a moment.

After a short wait we were ushered towards the fridge and taken inside (a surreal experience even if I was already expecting it) before being led down some stairs into the bar itself. The looks on some of the Breakfast Club patrons as we disappeared into the SMEG fridge was priceless.

Once we were actually inside TMOSCT we were taken to the only available table and handed this: (Have a look at the list in our photos)

Even the grumpiest of people will have to admit that it’s pretty cool and this place is clearly all about having a laugh. It really does shine through from the first moment you walk in. The workers are pleasant and friendly and you’re welcomed with a bottle of cucumber water before you’re even handed a menu.

The prices are what you’d expect for a hidden underground bar a stones throw from Liverpool St Station with beers and ciders ranging from £4-£6 and wines, spirits and cocktails all hovering around the £9 mark. They serve food at TMOSCT too like pulled pork sliders and… other stuff (I paid the food portion of the menu little to no attention as I was there just to have a few drinks) and from what I can recall the prices didn’t seem too extortionate.

If you’re in the Liverpool St area (or better yet, finishing up a meal at The Breakfast Club) and fancy a different type of bar to relax in for a couple of hours, then I would definitely recommend TMOSCT. There really isn’t any negatives to the place, bar the slightly higher than normal prices for cocktails (I’m a beer drinker so I didn’t mind at all) and it’s always fun to see The Breakfast Club patrons staring at you, confused as you casually stroll into a fridge, whilst removing your jacket.

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I won't give 5, because is a bit expensive. But is worth it!! You get the feeling you're part of a secret club. Just go to the breakfast club and ask for the Mayor of scaredy cat town, the rest it's up to you to find..
I had a great cider, the cheapest one and the chips with aioli sauce.
You should go before 7p.m, after that it gets full

I’m now somewhat torn here because part of the appeal about going to this place is it has this one gimmick, which makes it feel like a properly hidden away illicit drinking den. I already knew what this gimmick was, and my friend didn’t. I did appreciate it, but I could see the sheer delight on her face when the trick up their sleeve was revealed and I wouldn’t want to rob anyone of that experience. So, let’s just say, the entrance isn’t what you think (I think these days most people know what it is but just in case anyone doesn't I shan't reveal it). Once you have been granted access, a neon sign kindly points you in the right direction for the ‘Thrills’. We got there at about 7:30, an hour later than planned and we had a choice of two seating areas – by the bar or at a little table. We took the bar option. Experience has taught us to be as close to the people serving you alcohol as possible, and also that bartenders are often hot, so why not sit where you can look at them more easily. We ordered the chilli and lemongrass margarita. It was elegantly served in the correct glasses, with a thin strip of lemongrass threaded through a slice of chilli as garnish. It was pleasantly warm and a perfectly drinkable drink. Time ticked away quickly and we realised we had to hot foot it to the next place if we wanted to keep to schedule. Just as we were finishing up, the barkeep was putting together another cocktail, when all of a sudden, the raspberry concoction was all over the bar, not in its glass where it should be. I managed to move my bag out the way and partially my body but the drink still managed to get my leg and part of my skirt. I went to the bathroom to clean it up while my friend settled the bill. I came back and asked if we’d been given any compensation but apart from a genuine apology, we didn’t manage to get any freebies out of it. That’s a black mark in my opinion.

Fantastic drinks! We went cocktail tasting in Shoreditch and hit quite a few disappointments (the Breakfast Club above Mayor was actually one of those) during the night, but Mayor of Scaredy Cat Town drinks really made the entire evening. The eccentric bartender with his amazing moustache was shaking drinks like there was not tomorrow, and he also spent time 'on the floor' making sure people were enjoying themselves. The mood in this speakeasy is exactly what you expect -- dark and mellow, very nice. The first time I went there I had food, but the second time they only had bar nibbles. The former was one of my best veggie-burger experiences in my life, so when I couldn't have it again I was a bit upset. But I won't cry over spilt burger as the nibbles and drinks were so good. You get in here by asking for Mayor of Scaredy Cat Town!

A basement speakeasy located under The Breakfast Club. A reservation is highly recommended. Once you enter the secret entrance, you will arrive at a small underground bar. I opted to sit by the bar to watch the bartenders perform their magic. Each drink comes with a unique decor! I enjoyed The Merchant. Would return to try other drinks in the future.

Nice hidden bar, drinks were great but definitely on the expensive side. It was quiet dark and the music was too loud. Took them also quiet a long while to prepare the drinks

Small speakeasy in the basement of the restaurant The Breakfast Club. We got there around 5pm when it opened and even then it was pretty busy. I recommend making a reservation before going in to make sure you get a spot, since it’s a small space and especially if you’re planning on visiting on a later time in the evening or the weekends. The interior isn’t so fancy in my opinion but the cocktails are amazing! I got the vanilla kiss and the flower power and both are good but the flower power is a must!! The egg white and the lavender syrup works so well together. I usually have low standards for nachos but the nachos weren’t made of burnt shredded cheddar cheese but had lots of toppings such as avocado, sour cream, veggies and bacon bits. I would recommend this place for a night out with your friends or family! The cocktails are priced around £11-14.

Good speakeasy bar near Liverpool Street. Reservation recommended. The entry is through a restaurant. Good menu with some interesting cocktails

Great place with a touch of theatre. Located inside The Breakfast Club, and walk through a Smeg fridge and down the stairs. Rustic decor with low lighting. The cocktails are amazing. Staff were friendly, prices are reasonable and atmosphere is fun yet intimate. Will definitely be visiting again