In recent years many have taken a stab at the cafe by day, bar by night concept. None have nailed it like C108. Perhaps that’s because one of the co-founders is Prasant Raj Gurung, whose experience at Barcode, another such concept, has allowed him to refine what works and discard what doesn’t for establishments such as these. In C108’s case that means treating the drinks menu seriously and not feeling beholden to the same coffee and cake crowd that might wander in for an affogato in the afternoon. The cocktails are surprisingly adventurous and there’s a strong savoury element running through many of the drinks – the Vitamin Sea adds touches of seaweed and sesame oil, among others, to lend a strong umami flavour to the classic gimlet recipe. At the other end of the spectrum is C108’s NYC Cheesecake, a riff on the brandy Alexander that blends cognac, cream cheese, caramelised butter, citrus and vanilla into a rich, velvety dessert-like drink.