If there’s one thing we’ll always make time for, it’s oysters and a martini done right – and this new launch lands squarely in that sweet spot. One of our favourite Shoreditch & Spitalfields hangouts, Galvin Bistrot & Bar, is giving us a very good reason to rearrange our afternoons this May.
From 9th May, the laid-back Mediterranean bistro is rolling out Oyster Hour – a dangerously tempting offering built for slow sips, light bites, and those “just one more?” kind of catch-ups. The headline? £1 oysters, served fresh with lemon and shallots, with the option to level things up via ponzu dressing or even a touch of caviar if you’re feeling indulgent.
And because oysters deserve a proper pairing, there’s a £5 Mini Gin or Vodka Martini in the mix – a neat, playful nod to the ever-growing ‘Girl Dinner’ trend doing the rounds on TikTok. Simple, chic, and exactly what you want in hand as the afternoon drifts into evening.
Available Monday to Thursday from 3-6pm and Friday to Saturday from 2.30-7pm, Oyster Hour also brings a tight edit of £9 drinks that keep things easy and unfussy. Think crisp pours of Château Sainte-Marguerite rosé, a summery rosé spritz, and a solid Bloody Mary – classic, refreshing, and designed to complement rather than compete.
It doesn’t stop there. Across the summer, the terrace is getting a full Château Sainte-Marguerite takeover, dialling up Provençal energy right in the middle of East London. Add in the newly introduced all-day dining on Fridays and Saturdays, and you’ve got even more excuse to drop in, linger longer, and make a day of it.
For those who haven’t yet discovered it, Galvin Bistrot & Bar sits just alongside Spitalfields Market, delivering Mediterranean-inspired plates, a vermouth-forward cocktail list, and a genuinely relaxed atmosphere that works just as well for casual drinks as it does for full-blown celebrations.
Oyster Hour feels like a natural extension of what they already do best – good food, good drinks, no unnecessary fuss. We’ll be there early.
Entrance on Bishops Square – 35 Spital Square, London E1 6DY