Back in May, one of London's best bars, Tayēr + Elementary, was forced to close because of a fire. That bar will reopen once the fire damage is repaired, but that's not stopping Alex Kratena and Monica Berg. Instead, they'll be heading into Covent Garden, taking over the basement of relatively new bar, Cato, for six weeks.
The new bar is called Casual by Tayēr, and they're planning a series of cocktails that they say "merge the distinctive style of Tayēr with the technique and precision of Elementary". Exactly what the drinks list will be is yet to be revealed, but there will be a few classics on there, like their One Sip Martini. There will also be a new food menu for the pop-up, in Cato's chef's Latin/American style, including yellowtail tiradito, a tamago sando and a Cubano sandwich.
Cato's quite a small place, as you can see from our Test Drive and the photo above, so even though it's been described as a more casual bar, it should be a much more intimate affair than the main Tayēr + Elementary. So if you're fans of the duo, you'll definitely want to get down there over the next few weeks.
About the pop-up, Monica Berg says, "Casual by Tayēr is our way of staying connected to the people who have supported us, even as we navigate an unexpected moment of change. This residency gives us the freedom to be playful, responsive, and a little spontaneous to create something that feels fresh while still rooted in the values that define Tayēr + Elementary."
More about Casual by Tayēr
Where is it? 17 Mercer St, London WC2H 9QJ
When? 15 July - 22 August 2026
Find out more: Follow them on Instagram @tayer_elementary.
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