Award-winning bartender Emanuele 'Lele' Mensah, formerly of the Connaught Bar and Lyaness, is launching Asase, a new cocktail bar in Shoreditch dedicated to Ghanaian ingredients, techniques, and stories. The bar, whose name means 'land' in the Ghanaian language Twi, is scheduled to open in autumn 2026 after a slight delay from its original summer debut.
Inspired by Ghanaian culture and earth
Mensah explained that the inspiration behind Asase is 'the belief that the Earth is what connects us.' This philosophy is reflected in the bar's design, which will feature clay and other natural materials, with neutral, earthy tones like terracotta and brown throughout the intimate 20-25-cover space. The layout centres around a large sharing table to encourage a communal atmosphere among guests.
Signature drink: Egusi Martini
Among the West African-inspired drinks on offer will be the Egusi Martini, a unique creation inspired by egusi soup. This cocktail is made with melon seed oil, chilli oil, and fresh melon, offering a savoury twist on a classic. The bar aims to fill a gap in London's cocktail scene, which has often lacked West African flavours in liquid form.
Construction underway
Construction is currently underway at the Shoreditch location, with the team working to bring the vision to life. Once open, Asase will join a growing list of West African dining and drinking spots in the capital. For those interested in exploring more, a guide to the best West African restaurants in London is available, along with recent accolades such as Dalston's coolest bar in 2026 and Time Out's top cocktail bar in London.
