James Cochran is adding a new venture to Upper Street Islington (his restaurant 12:51 is just up the road) but this time it's quite different to his previous place. He's opening a sports bar called Valderrama's.
It's named after the Colombian 90's football captain and sports will be a big part of the venture, with screens dotted all around the bar (we can see this being a draw for local Arsenal fans on match day). They'll have an outside terrace and will be dog-friendly too.
It's also going to be a place to showcase Cochran's Around The Cluck chicken menu, which has been popping up around town before settling down here. On that menu will be:
- The Original - whipped blue cheese mousse, bacon scratchings and Sauce Shop x 12:51 Scotch Bonnet Jam
- Spice Up Your Life – mango chutney, pickled cucumber, curry sauce, Bombay mix, smoked yogurt, poppadom, and coriander
- Hear Me Now – cheese ‘n’ truffle fondue, smoked mushroom relish, slaw and The Veganator - crispy vegan patty, Gochujang, Asian slaw, peanuts, and coriander.
Alongside those will be crispy buttermilk chicken thighs with chip-shop curry sauce or chicken gravy mayo and fries or hash browns to go with.
As for drinks, expect Beavertown on tap, cocktails and frozen margaritas. They'll also have DJs on Fridays (hip-hop and RnB) and Saturdays (80s, 90s, and early 2000s).
More about Valderrama's
Where is it? 163 Upper St, Islington, London N1 1US
When does it open? 7 July 2022
Find out more: Visit their website or follow them on Instagram @valderramas_bar.
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