London's Cocktail Scene Embraces Maximalism as 90s Nostalgia Takes Over
Move over minimalist martinis and stripped-back classics – London's drinking culture is undergoing a dramatic transformation as we enter 2026. The prevailing "less is more" philosophy that dominated cocktail menus throughout 2025 has been decisively replaced by an exuberant, over-the-top approach that celebrates complexity, spectacle, and unabashed nostalgia.
The Rise of Maximalist Mixology
What exactly defines a maximalist cocktail in today's London bar scene? These are drinks that prioritize theatrical presentation and intricate preparation methods above all else. If a beverage doesn't arrive with smoke effects, elaborate foam creations, or garnishes that could double as miniature art installations, it simply doesn't meet the new standard. The modern cocktail enthusiast expects multiple components, labor-intensive processes, and glassware that makes a bold statement.
Contemporary mixologists are employing techniques that sound more suited to scientific laboratories than traditional bars. Clarification, acid adjustment, fat washing, vacuum infusion, carbonation, and lacto-fermentation have become standard vocabulary behind London's most innovative bars. The resulting creations often feature brightly coloured liquids that resemble something from a baking competition finale rather than conventional cocktails.
Immersive 90s Experiences at Bunga 90
Nowhere embodies this maximalist trend more completely than Bunga 90, located at 167 Drury Lane in Covent Garden. This establishment represents far more than just another London bar – it's a fully immersive, multi-sensory time capsule dedicated to celebrating 1990s culture in all its chaotic glory.
The experience begins before patrons even enter the main space, with the façade designed to resemble a retro video rental store complete with:
- Authentic VHS tapes and SEGA gaming consoles
- Vintage neon signage and period-appropriate posters
- Classic technology displays that transport visitors back in time
Once inside, guests journey through a "PEPSI Time Machine" that leads them through various themed environments:
- A meticulously recreated Anglo-American family living room
- A teenage bedroom adorned with fairy lights and band posters
- The main bar area where 90s visuals play across a wall of vintage television sets
The venue's attention to detail extends to unexpected spaces, with the toilets transforming hourly into an M25-style warehouse rave complete with ultraviolet lighting, atmospheric smoke, and classic dance anthems. Throughout the venue, visitors discover vintage arcade cabinets, a Jurassic Park pinball machine, and countless hidden surprises that reward exploration.
Theatrical Cocktails with Nostalgic Themes
Bunga 90's drink menu perfectly complements its immersive environment with cocktails that are as theatrical as they are delicious. The establishment's tagline – "Oops, I sipped it again" – hints at the playful approach to mixology that defines their offerings:
- Britney B***h: Served in a cup shaped like schoolgirl-era Britney Spears' hollowed-out head
- The Fresh Prince: Featuring Patron Silver, Aperol, pimento and prickly pear liqueur, hibiscus, lime and Ting grapefruit, presented in a Will Smith-themed mug
- Kevin: A blend of vodka, apple, pear, elderflower, ginger, and lime served in a Macaulay Culkin-shaped mug inspired by the iconic aftershave scene from Home Alone
Each creation comes topped with a snow cone of ice and features ingredient lists so complex that home reproduction would be virtually impossible – which is precisely the point in this new era of cocktail maximalism.
London's Other Maximalist Destinations
While Bunga 90 offers a specifically 90s-focused experience, other London establishments are exploring different expressions of the maximalist trend. In East London, The Cocktail Trading Company has built its reputation on creating what owner Elliot Ball describes as "some of the weirdest drinks in the city."
Their current menu includes several standout examples of maximalist mixology:
- Blue Monday: Combining Volcan Tequila, blue peppercorn, mango tepache, and Moet & Chandon Champagne, served in a cloth sack
- Soccarat Swizzle: Presented in an actual paella dish and containing Eminente Rum, paella spice, Singani 63 Bolivian brandy, and sweet tomato-ginger brew
- Corn on the Cobbler: Served in a Green Giant sweetcorn tin with popcorn, Manzanilla sherry, acidified honeydew, Evan Williams Bourbon, Pedro Ximenez sherry, and garnished with a mound of popcorn
Ball explains the philosophy behind these creations: "The whole point of a cocktail is that you are meant to change it. You're taking a spirit, and then you add other things and make something new. And we're finding more and more ridiculous ways to do that."
Meanwhile, in Soho, The Little Violet Door offers its own take on maximalism with a venue designed to resemble an actual flat. Their sharing cocktail, Dirty Dancing, combines Grey Goose Vodka, Chambord, passionfruit, and a bottle of Mini Prosecco, all served in a giant disco ball. For those preferring something slightly more restrained, their LA Story features Malfy Gin, elderflower, cucumber, lemon, and bubbles presented in what appears to be a decorative vase.
The Cultural Shift Behind the Trend
This movement toward maximalist cocktails represents more than just a passing fad in London's drinking culture. Industry observers suggest it reflects a broader cultural shift – a collective exhale by a bar industry that has taken itself very seriously for an extended period. After years focused on perfecting minimalist techniques and ingredient purity, bartenders are rediscovering the joy of entertainment and theatricality.
The trend isn't about resurrecting the overly sweet, poorly balanced cocktails that sometimes characterized the 1990s, but rather about applying contemporary techniques and quality ingredients to create drinks that are as memorable for their presentation as they are for their flavour profiles. It's a celebration of complexity as the new flex in mixology, where the ability to execute multi-step processes and create visual spectacles has become the ultimate demonstration of bartending skill.
As London's cocktail scene continues to evolve, this maximalist approach appears poised to define drinking culture throughout 2026 and beyond. Whether served in celebrity-shaped mugs, paella dishes, or disco balls, these theatrical creations invite patrons to embrace the unexpected and celebrate the return of fun to the city's bar culture.
