A brand-new cocktail bar has landed in the heart of Walthamstow and it’s unlike anything E17 has seen before. The Drift, which is now open at CRATE Walthamstow in 17&Central, is more than a bar, it’s an experience.

Located inside CRATE, The Drift offers a calming contrast to the fast-paced energy of the shopping centre and the local area. Built with mood-forward lighting, warm textures and minimalist design, it invites guests to ‘escape within’ and creates a pocket of calm where people can sip, relax and enjoy great service, curated playlists, and theatrically crafted cocktails.

“We chose CRATE Walthamstow because we saw a unique opportunity to introduce something calm, stylish, and mood-driven to an already vibrant space,” explains Marco Maiocchi, The Drift’s Co-Founder. “The Drift is designed to offer more than just drinks – it’s a place for people to pause, reconnect, and enjoy a moment of me time or socialise with others.”

Recognising Walthamstow’s distinct dynamic helped Marco and the team create a place that’s perfect for the area.

He adds: “We’ve shaped The Drift to complement the way in which people in Walthamstow live; families in the day, coworkers and creatives in the afternoon and couples and friends winding down in the evening. Our Happy Hour is built around that – making cocktails accessible, social, and part of everyday life.”

From weekday happy hours to weekend family-friendly afternoons, The Drift is designed to be a flexible, stylish anchor point for Walthamstow’s creative crowd, families, and after-work cocktail seekers alike.

The bar serves high-quality drinks at affordable prices, Its offering includes classic and signature cocktails, a full mocktail menu, wines and draught beers.
Customer favourites include the Charcoal Colada, Cherry Negroni, Watermelon Spritz, and the bar’s classic Tommy’s Margarita. And that’s not all – The Drift has three weekly offers:
• Tuesdays: 2-for-1 on all cocktails
• Wednesdays: £7 on all classic cocktails
• Every day: 2 selected signature cocktails for £15 – a popular combination for after-work wind-downs.
In welcoming The Drift to CRATE, 17 & Central’s Centre Manager, Gavin Cockayne, said: “We’re really excited about this venture, as it marks a collaboration with one of our established vendors – someone who truly understands our customers, the local community, and the potential of the space.
“The Drift’s seamless launch has already captured attention locally, with a carefully curated selection of signature cocktails, a fun and extensive menu, and enticing daily offers that have quickly become customer favourites. The first two weeks of trade have been a huge success, setting a strong foundation for what promises to be an exciting journey ahead. We look forward to watching this new concept flourish and evolve in the coming months.”