Nine Lives: A True Taste of Mexican Spirit

LONDON

Hidden in a back alley of Bermondsey, Nine Lives is a gem waiting to be discovered. As lively music spills onto the street, curiosity draws you toward its unassuming entrance. Descend into the Victorian basement at No.8 Holyrood St, and you’ll find yourself in a tropical oasis—a blend of chic Californian decor combined with traditional Mexican cuisine.

Far from your typical Cali-style spot, Nine Lives is Bermondsey’s ultimate inner city destination to satisfy a craving for elevated Mexican cuisine. Served up by taco truck legend, Chef Ramon Ramos of Tigre Tacos, he brings culinary expertise to this urban hideaway. Crafting exquisite dishes with carefully chosen and locally sourced ingredients, Chef Ramon Ramos delivers a true taste of Mexico to the streets of London. Complemented by Nine Lives’ expertly curated cocktail menu and vibrant DJ sets, this is more than a meal—it’s an escape. Step inside, and you’re transported from the chilly London air to the sun-drenched Californian shore, where tacos and tequila meet West Coast glamour.

Photo courtesy of Nine Lives X Sweet & Chilli

Nine Lives Bar

Nine Lives offers a generous menu of carefully crafted cocktails, showcasing the artistry of its expert mixologists. Headed by spirited General Manager, William Campbell-Rowntree, attentive staff offered detailed guidance through their menu, ensuring an unparalleled drinking and dining experience.

For those seeking bold, aromatic sips, explore the Straight Ups section. The Sweet Releaf is a standout, a smoky mezcal-based mini chalice combining Ocho Blanco Tequila, Los Siete Misterios Doba-Yej Mezcal, Fino Sherry, and aloe vera. This blend delivers a sweet yet robust nectar, perfect as a decadent meal-ender. Alternatively, the Cardboard Concorde offers a vibrant burst of bitter orange, featuring Patrón Silver Tequila, Dangerous Don Mandarin, Aperol, Amaro Montenegro, and a zing of lime.

Photos courtesy of Jennifer Chee | CSP Times

For those partial to a refreshing aperitif, look to the On The Rocks section for thirst-quenching iced cocktail options. Whisky lovers will delight in The Swanson, a complex concoction of Glenfiddich 15yo Whisky, Lagavulin 16yo Whisky, pineapple, black cardamom, Orbit IVO, and vanilla bitters. For a fruity and aromatic option, Oh Stunning… delivers the perfect blend of Tanqueray No. TEN Gin, Desi Daru Mango Vodka, Campari, Regal Rogue Red, and Prosecco, marrying fragrant mango with a bitter, sophisticated edge that is perfect for a mature palette.

At Nine Lives, every cocktail is a masterpiece, carefully balancing innovative flavours for a truly elevated experience.

Chef Ramon "El Tigre" Ramos of Tigre Tacos

An exciting addition to Nine Lives’ vibrant atmosphere is the welcome of Chef Ramon "El Tigre" Ramos bringing the beloved Tigre Tacos from street truck fame to the kitchen. A bright and lively culinary force, Chef Ramon Ramos infuses the menu with authentic flavours from his Mexican heritage, crafting an elevated, local-style spread of Mexican dishes.

Separating the menu into snack-style plates, known as Botanas, dive into a delicious array of fried flavours that are perfect for sharing. Start your journey with crispy corn tortillas, paired with a fresh and vibrant Guacamole—packed with juicy tomatoes, salted to perfection and dazzled with a bright punch of pickled onion. For something heartier, try the indulgent double-cooked Chicharrones, pork belly bites fried to a perfect crisp and braised in Asian seasoning. Add an adventurous kick with a drizzle of their salsa verde, bringing the heat and elevating the plate.

Photos courtesy of Jennifer Chee | CSP Times

Continue your culinary journey by ordering from the Crudo menu. Translating to “raw”, the Crudo Trio offers three exceptional dishes that showcase the best of raw ingredients. The Paloma Ceviche delivers soft, fresh sea bream paired with sweet grapefruit, a hint of bitterness, and a herbaceous touch of coriander. A tried and true favourite of ours, it is definitely a dish to try. Next up, the Aguachile is an all-star for heat-seekers. With a literal translation of “chilli water”, this dish is known locally amongst its origin in the Northwest region of Mexico as a staple hangover cure, as beautifully simple ingredients come together to create a spice sensation. Sweet prawns butterflied and arranged amongst a chilli and lime salsa verde are complimented with fresh cucumber and onion to hit all flavour profiles. Concluding the trio, the Mango Ceviche offers a vegan twist, blending sweet mango and creamy avocado; the true satisfaction, however, comes from that final crunch of kohlrabi.

Move on to the star of the show: Tigre Tacos. The Beef Barbacoa tacos are a standout, featuring slow-cooked beef brisket, fresh onion, and coriander, all served with a rich beef consommé for dipping. The tacos are perfectly crisped in the consommé for a Birria-style bite, dripping with rich, savoury flavour. For a lighter, sweeter option, the Camarones tacos balance juicy charred prawns with a blackened pineapple salsa, creamy avocado, and tangy pickled onions for a beautifully rounded sweet-meets-savoury dining spread.

A truly enjoyable element of the Nine Lives menu is the encouraged mix-and-match sharing concept, spreading the table with well-sized plates to exhibit the variety and fullness of each dish's flavour, without overwhelming the appetite. At Nine Lives, every dish tells a story of bold flavours, crafted with care and designed to share. It’s more than a meal—it’s an adventure.

A True Taste of Mexican Spirit

To complete your Mexican culinary journey at Nine Lives, there’s no better finale than indulging in one of their Threesomes—a curated mezcal flight that showcases the rich diversity of this beloved Mexican spirit. Each trio is carefully selected to highlight the depth of flavour, unique distilling methods, and distinct profiles of mezcal, offering an enlightening perspective on its growing global appeal.

From smoky, robust pours to smooth, aromatic sips, every mezcal in the flight delivers a bold warmth, sourced from local and luxury brands renowned for their craftsmanship. It’s the perfect way to round off an evening of exquisite food and cocktails, leaving you with a lasting impression of Mexican spirit.

Photo courtesy of Jennifer Chee | CSP Times

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Address: 8 Holyrood St, London, SE1 2EL, United Kingdom | Phone: +44 20 7407 8226 | Website: ninelivesbar.com | Email: info@ninelivesbar.com | Instagram: @ninelivesbar | Facebook: NINE LIVES BAR