Casita isn’t so much a bar as it is a hangout. 
This is a place you’d feel completely comfortable stopping by for an afternoon beer, having a drink before dinner, or capping off the night with a few cocktails. Will “Posh Will” Foster does everything he can to…foster…a warm and friendly atmosphere. You spend 10 minutes with the guy and you already you’re telling him your life story…I suppose those are the best kinds of true bars. The ones where you can sit there with a good drink and talk about the good times and the bad…only this place doesn’t really cater to a negative vibe. If you want a place to drown your sorrows, look elsewhere.
Every recommendation I had heard about this place said to try the tequila verdita. A shot of tequila and a shot of some green magic, verdita, that’s a combination of mint, coriander, pineapple, and jalapeno. No matter how I describe it, I’m not going to do it justice, you just owe it to yourself to get over to Casita and have one.
After that I moved on to a Wray and Ting. Ting is a Jamaican grapefruit soda that I can only imagine would go well as a mixer with just about anything. J Wray is Jamaican rum, so I can see how someone got the idea to mix them together. Really refreshing and it kind of made me forget it was just a dreary Monday evening in the middle of the London winter.
Tuesday I came back for a few pictures and had to give their vodka martini a try. I was served Fair vodka, one I’d never heard of before. Apparently the worlds first Fair Trade vodka and quinoa-based vodka. Quinoa, another thing I’d never heard of. Anyways, my martini was just as crisp and smooth as I would have expected, having really enjoyed all the other drinks I’d had so far. As I’m sitting there, Will goes ahead and pours 8 shots of Jager and passes them to everyone around the bar. Friends of his, I presume, since they all knew his name…but then again, I felt completely comfortable calling him Will and I’d only just met him the night before. 15 minutes or 20 minutes goes by and I’m savouring the last few drops of martini before asking for the bill. “That’ll be…a fiver” Will says, as he pours me shot of Buffalo Trace bourbon. I insisted he take at least 10 for as kind as he’d been.
Now, I mentioned the place is small, but that only makes you more inclined to talk to the people around you. I’ve been here twice now and both times I struck up conversations with complete strangers. Yes, I know that’s something I would do. Yes, I know that’s “very American” of me. But I’m pretty sure this would hold true for anybody coming to visit. Will himself introduced me to new people while I was just sitting there by myself on my second visit. Apparently on the weekends it gets much busier, though.
The place is decorate with all kinds of crazy crap on the wall behind the bar. Every bit of space is taken up, but it seems every item is in its place. It’s organised chaos. I don’t think you could fit any more bottles on the shelves, but that’s fine because Casita has every bottle they need. Starting to make sense? I’m willing to bet that the things on the wall are all collected over many years and each item has a story behind it. Moving on to the music, I can confidently say I’ve never been to a bar in my life that could get away with playing “Foxy Lady” by Jimi Hendrix followed immediately by “Push It” by Salt n’ Pepa…and Will has a thing for Barenaked Ladies which isn’t a bad thing, but certainly a far cry from any other bar in the area (ask him about his favourite song). Thing is, you’re probably doing so much talking, you’re not really paying attention to the music.
What more can I say that hasn’t already been said? I may live around the corner from Casita, but even if I was trekking across the city, I think Will and the atmosphere of Casita would make you feel like a local. The drinks are great, the prices make you wonder how this place turns a profit (my guess is lots and lots of repeat customers), and its made all the better by its friendly and fun atmosphere. When you’re surrounded by many other pretentious bars, Casita is about as refreshing as the Ting that they serve.
Get in early, they’re only open till 11.
The Tip: Portobello Star
The Tipster: Will Foster, Bartender and Owner
