Interview with David Layton ~ Founder of Brick & Liquor

Published in

Taste Tooting

4 min readAug 10, 2018

David Layton Photo Credit: Brick & Liquor

David Layton is the Founder and Managing Director of Brick & Liquor, a neighbourhood cocktail bar in the heart of Tooting. After opening his first 60 cover site in Tooting Broadway in October 2016, a second larger 100 cover site in Clapham soon followed in August 2017. Although they specialise in cocktails, they also serve a selection of “social eats’ from small plates to large platters; all of which are purpose made-for sharing.

So to wrap up our #SummerSoundbites series, we chat to David to find out what makes him tick:

1.Where is home for you?

Originally from Newcastle, and I moved all around the UK in my early career, but I’ve lived in London 11 years now.

Rosemary Negroini Photo Credit: Brick & Liquor

2. What made you choose Tooting for your first Brick & Liquor opening?

We knew Tooting was really going places, and a lot of people I knew were moving to the area. We found our site in Tooting over 2 years ago now, and even in that short time the area around us has developed massively. Lots of cool things are popping up all the time.

3. If you weren’t Mr Brick & Liquor what would you be?

I’ve always said that everything in life comes down to people and business. I’ve loved business ever since I was young, and my ultimate ambition is to be able to invest in and mentor small business startups and hopefully pass on some of the experience I’ve gained over the past few years.

So I imagine I would be still have ended up working for myself somehow. Either that or a Space Cowboy!

Brick & Liquor Tooting Photo Credit: Brick & Liquor

4. What’s the best piece of advice you’d give someone who was setting up their own business?

You will never ever feel ready to do it. If you wait until you’re ready, life will pass you by. Sooner or later you have to take a jump, and have confidence in yourself that your wings will open.

5. Have you ever had anyone famous in either of your bars? If so, what were they like?

We have hosted a few private parties with some famous faces, and because of the areas we are in, we do have some very recognisable faces that visit us regularly. But we’re neighbourhood bars, and people come because they can relax close to their home… so no secrets from me!

6. What’s your favourite tipple and why?

It really depends on the occasion. I love an Old Fashioned to sip, a nice G&T to drink, and a deep red wine to chat over.

7. What would be your ideal night out?

I’m really lucky to have a close group of friends in London, and we make our nights out memorable wherever we are, whether that be a fancy members club, a classy cocktail bar, a festival or a cool dive bar. For me now, it’s more about who you’re with and the experience you have, rather then where.