DISCREET COCKTAIL CULTURE • COLCHESTER HISTORIC QUARTER

Where Shadows Gather. Spirits Awaken.

Down a flight of stairs under Trinity Street. Cocktails over hand-carved clear ice, low-lit velvet banquettes, a shelf of rare whiskies and a record playing all night.

Explore Cocktail Book ↓

-18°C

Hand-Carved Clear Ice

180+

Rare Bourbons, Rums & Mezcals

02:00

Late Licence Fri & Sat

Late Booth Seating

Booths held back for 21:45 & 23:15, Thursday to Saturday

The Liquid Alchemist

The Nocturne Mixology Compendium

We make our own syrups, infusions and cordials, and freeze our own clear ice in the cellar.

No. 01 • Smoky

Midnight in Oaxaca

£14.50

Alipús San Andrés Mezcal, charred rosemary syrup, Ancho Reyes chile liqueur, bitter orange atomiser, flaming rosemary sprig.

Glassware Smoked Black Tumbler

Ice 2" Crystal Cube

Profile Agave, Smoke, Chilli

ABV 22% Vol

No. 02 • Velvet

Crimson & Smoke Negroni

£13.50

Tanqueray No. TEN, Carpano Antica Formula, Campari fat-washed with cacao butter, cold-drip coffee oil droplet.

Glassware Cut Crystal Rocks

Ice Hand-Carved Sphere

Profile Bitter, Silk, Chocolate

ABV 26% Vol

No. 03 • Botanical

Elysian Cloud Gimlet

£14.00

The Botanist Islay Gin, clarified makrut lime cordial, elderflower mist, saline tincture, shiso leaf crown.

Glassware Vintage Nick & Nora

Ice Served Up (Sub-Zero)

Profile Bright, Citrus, Herbal

ABV 21% Vol

No. 04 • Velvet

The Obsidian Manhattan

£15.00

Michter's US*1 Rye, Punt e Mes, black walnut liqueur, Angostura charred oak bitters, brandied Luxardo cherry.

Glassware Etched Coupette

Ice Stirred on Block Ice

Profile Warm Spice, Rich Wood

ABV 28% Vol

No. 05 • Smoky

Highland Embers Penicillin

£14.50

Monkey Shoulder Blended Malt, Laphroaig 10yr float, ginger honey nectar, fresh lemon, candied ginger disc.

Glassware Heavy Rocks Glass

Ice 2" Crystal Ice Cube

Profile Medicinal, Honey, Heat

ABV 20% Vol

No. 06 • Alcohol-Free

Gilded Botanica

£9.50

Everleaf Forest aperitif, blood orange reduction, smoked lapsang souchong tea broth, tonic bubbles, rosemary smoke.

Glassware Fluted Goblet

Ice Spear Column Ice

Profile Complex, Tannic, Bitter

ABV Alcohol-free

Intimate Quarters

Private Booths & Cellar Vaults

Deep crimson velvet and worn chestnut leather, with a booth host looking after your table all night.

Solo & Pairs

The Alchemist's Counter

Front-row seats at the bar, facing the ice block where we carve to order. Talk to the bartenders while they work.

1 to 2 Guests
Watch every drink being made
No minimum spend required
90-minute seating window

Most Sought-After

The Velvet Leather Booth

Low-lit banquettes tucked into brick alcoves, with brass tables, velvet cushions and a cocktail trolley brought to your table.

3 to 6 Guests
Your own booth host
Complimentary truffle bar snacks
Table for 2.5 hours

Exclusive Hire

The Subterranean Vault

A private room behind iron gates, with its own bar counter, its own sound system and access to our rare spirits shelf.

Up to 14 Guests
Dedicated Bartender for the night
Choose the records, or bring your own
£400 minimum spend on food and drink

Sanctuary Standards

The Nocturne House Etiquette

It's a small, quiet room. A few house rules keep it that way.

01. The Discreet Entry & Buzzer Policy

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There's no sign outside. Look for the unmarked black oak door at 14 Trinity Street with a small brass buzzer labelled "N&V". Ring once and wait for the doorman. We are over-21s only and operate Challenge 25: if you look under 25, bring photo ID (passport, photocard driving licence or PASS card).

02. Dress Code & Sanctuary Demeanour

Smart casual or dressier. We don't admit sportswear, baseball caps, gym shorts or tracksuits.

03. Flash Photography & Mobile Calls

No flash photography or video lights in the lounge. Please take phone calls upstairs in the entrance foyer.

04. Walk-in Policy & Peak Hours

We keep some counter stools free for walk-ins every night. For a booth on Friday or Saturday after 20:00, book ahead.