‘World’s Best Bar’ Lyaness in South Bank opens summer alfresco pop-up

One of London’s top bars has opened up an outdoor pop-up on South Bank for Thames-side cocktails on balmy summer evenings.

Lyaness Riviera at the prestigious Sea Containers London is the ephemeral summertime drinks spot by the team behind the Sea Container’s flagship bar, Lyaness, which won World’s Best Bar at the 2022 Tales of the Cocktail Foundation’s Spirited Awards.

Inspired by its iconic backdrop on the Thames and the bar’s central location amongst some of the capitals most iconic buildings and significant cultural institutions, the menu includes refreshing thirst quenchers that come with that Lyaness finesse.

Tipples include Strawberry and Clarified Cream, made with cacao vodka, whey, sweet and sour strawberry and Laurent Perrier Rose, Frozen Banana Coffee with Irish creamed whiskey, banana tea, coffee oil and amaro splash; and Hedgerow Fizz with London dry gin, almond poshca, fermented berries, cherry sherry and orchard soda.

All cocktails cost £9, and you quaff them while sitting in the sun on the terrace or take them away for sipping while ambling along the riverside.

Multi-award-winning Ryan Chetiyawardana (Most Influential Britons 2017, Personality of the Decade 2017 and International Bartender of the Year 2015) leads the Lyaness team who are committed to creating innovative cocktails out of unusual ingredients.

The drinks menu is based around ingredients rather than style of cocktail. While many drinks are altogether new, some tipples echo classic and familiar cocktails while still being something completely different.

The Elephant Martini, for example, is made from Grey Goose and Hepple gin with hyraceum and Thunder Mushroom vermouth, and the Shaky Fist Margarita uses Patron Silver, red pill cordial, B+B Curacao and green lemon.

Lyaness Riviera is open until September 3, running Wednesday to Thursday 3pm to 9pm and Friday to Sunday, 12pm to 9pm.

Address: Sea Containers London, 20 Upper Ground, South Bank, SE1 9PD

Website: seacontainerslondon.com