“There’s so much happening on the street now that it’s silly for us not to do this,” says Hayden Gale, with a smile. He’s dosed up on painkillers, recovering from man-flu, but still bravely shaking an espresso martini.
Hayden’s right. After all, his craft can company, Point Cocktails, is celebrating nearly a decade concocting libations deep in Tilbury Road’s railway arches. In simple terms, that means they’ve been operating three times as long as nearest competitor Libertalia Brewing, who turn three this summer. The difference is that that until last year, they were mostly behind the scenes.
And while you might not think there’s room for another proper bar on a Leyton street bustling with booze-focused joints, the new Point Taproom will boast a unique angle: there’ll be eight draft taps for their bespoke creations — all under the watchful bonnet of a 1980s DMC DeLorean.
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So what’s the story? Brixton-based Hayden — originally from Auckland in New Zealand — started out as a cafe barista before finding this arch to experiment with cold brew coffee back in 2017. “It was the cheapest place in town,” he said to me last year. “We’ve seen it all here, from drug dealers to fly tipping.”
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Hayden’s dream — to serve the world’s first espresso martini on tap — quickly became a reality: armed with a mobile bar and single tap, he hit the UK festival scene under the moniker One Point Eight. The pivot to a more succinct single-word name happened in Covid, when lockdown also spiked a boom in canned cocktails.
Fast forward to 2026 and you’ll probably have tried a can somewhere in E10 — perhaps the famed Mezcal Paloma, the B. Cardi Geezer, Dark Fairy (in conjunction with Devil’s Botany absinthe bar), Blood Orange Spritz (a favourite of mine) or vodka-based Wild Berry Mule. Phew.
The cans all feature striking cartoon artwork by Hayden’s colleague John, pictured right, an artist and musician — not to mention mixologist — in his own right.
The new era for the street’s longest running booze success story actually started last summer, when the boys road-tested a possible cocktail shop and tiny bar. It proved such a success that from March they are going bigger and better with a permanent addition to the ever blossoming street.
“It’ll be a cross between a classic brewery taproom and a grungy cocktail bar down an East London alley,” Hayden says. “Inside, there’ll be seating for 25 people on sharing benches, with a couple of high stools, and outside another 15, with cover if it rains. When the weather’s better, we’ll take over the two car parking spaces directly opposite by the murals so another 30-40 people can enjoy the Leyton sunshine.”
There’ll be eight cocktail taps on draft, “more high-end than our premium can options. We’re limited as to what we can put in a can because people want stuff they know, not molecular mixology. This is why the cocktails will be rotational.”
And yep, there’s a bit science involved. “We’ll have some nitro cocktails,” he continues, “so think variations on the espresso martini, passion fruit martini, sours — anything that has a creamy head. Using 100% nitrogen, 100% Co2 or maybe something with a 60/40 mix adds another layer of complexity, as well as various mouthfeels and textures.”
That’s not all. Clever hacks include milk washing, a “technique that dates back to the 1700s and was used to remove impurities,” he says. “It’s gives it a velvety mouthfeel while reducing acidity and bitterness.”
Meanwhile, fat washing helps to infuse savoury flavours into spirits. “Think bacon, butter, coconut oil and peanut butter.” And finally, smoking cocktails is “more for theatrics,” he says, “but it offers an added layer to the cocktail, as 80% of our taste comes from smell.”
Price-wise, cocktails should cost south of a tenner, although these are yet to be confirmed. “And we’ll still be operating as a cocktail production facility during the week,” he adds. The fridge will also be available for takeaway and drink-in, as well as a selection of beers and wine.
But the duo need your help. Hayden and John have launched a fundraiser here so you can get involved: for example, £300 gives you “£500 worth of cocktails to enjoy either at home or at the taproom,” while £600 gives you £1000 to spend. There are payment plans to spread out the costs, too.
“This street is built on community and friendship,” Hayden says. “Each business looks after one another and, along with a growing community, we’ve helped create the best street in the borough.” Cheers to that.
Point Taproom opens late March initially on Saturdays only, 2-10pm, then also Fridays 5-10pm. Thursdays and Sundays will follow TBC. Arch 146 Tilbury Rd E10 6RE, @pointcocktails
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