Review: ABQ – Breaking Bad inspired popup cocktail bar, London

Last updated: 25 June 2023

ABQ, a Breaking Bad inspired popup cocktail bar in London has surfaced in London.

In the dark deserted streets of east London’s Hackney Wick, there is a familiar sight.  A beige battered RV with racing stripes up the side & smoke billowing from the top.  A man in a respirator and a yellow hazmat suit emerges from the darkness.

Let’s cook

Flashbacks to high-school science class will ensue, as the RV is decked out with familiar equipment such as petri dishes, beakers, test tubes & glass flasks.  No risky Bunsen burners here though kids, just dry ice for patrons to “cook” their own cocktails.

Inside holds up to 22 chemists, which at capacity is quite squishy.  Groups are formed along the dimly lit narrow desks in a production line for a synergetic approach to the cook. One team uses the mortar and pestle to grind pre-measured ingredients, while others blend a concoction of liquid and dry ice to form a paste like consistency. This is the base for the Blue Flynn cocktail, it’s colour and appearance an obvious homage to the blue meth from Breaking Bad.

The whole experience was cultivated an air of secrecy to arouse curiosity and fuel the buzz, but I left wanting more.  Supposed Los Pollos chicken outside the RV? Where? On a drizzly week-night there was little to be found in the way of sustenance.  Pizzas were on offer but hardly pay tribute to the show unless you think of it as the aftermath of a Jessie Pinkman houseparty.

Overall it’s a unique concept that hasn’t been seen before.  However, the series has a serious hardcore fanbase out there and in terms of experience, I think it misses the mark.

The Essentials | ABQ

• When: From June 2015.
• Where: Hackney Wick, E9, London.
• Transport: Hardly a convenient location, Hackney Wick station is ten minute walk.
• Availability: Tickets are currently sold out until October 2015. Pre-registration: ABQ.
• Cost:  £30 includes two cocktails. Drinks & food on site not included.
• Verdict: It’s very much a gimmick and aimed towards the hip crowd funding pop-up bars across London.  While ‘expert’ mixologists are on hand to assist but clearly training and delivery isn’t their strong point.  Forecast to spend more than you’d expect at the bar and the taxi ride home.