Shoreditch has no shortage of cocktail bars and pubs, but Marco Piroli with his cofounders is carving out something different. With Without Papers, he brings together the warmth of Italian osterias and the camaraderie of British pubs, all wrapped in a spirit that champions community. His journey from Rome to London’s hospitality scene shaped both his vision and his values. To dive deeper into the story behind Without Papers and his philosophy of hospitality, we caught up with Marco Piroli for a conversation.
Your journey began in Rome and brought you to London’s hospitality scene in 2008. How has that personal path shaped your vision for Without Papers?
I moved to London from Rome to learn English — and for love. Seventeen years later, I’m still here, and we’re now married. At the same time, that move marked the start of a lifelong relationship with hospitality. I’ve worked across some of London’s most dynamic venues, from high-end restaurants and luxury hotels to cocktail bars — always carrying with me the roots of my family’s restaurant back home in Italy, where hospitality was about generosity, connection, and making people feel cared for.
Without Papers brings all of that together. It’s the spirit of a high-end dive bar, a blend of Italian warmth and British pub culture, where people can relax, enjoy something genuinely well-made, and have a real conversation. No ego, no pretension, just good drinks, vibes and heart.
If you’re exploring East London nightlife, don’t miss our guide to the Best Late Night Bars in Shoreditch for unique drinks and local favourites.
The name Without Papers carries strong historical weight. What inspired you and your co-founders to reclaim that phrase as the identity for your bar?
Yes, the name Without Papers and t,he acronym WOP, carries a heavy past, especially for Italian immigrants. But for us, myself, Gaetano and Massimiliano reclaiming it was about telling a different story. It represents resilience, identity, and the journey we all go through, not just across borders, but in our careers, relationships, and personal growth.
We’ve each experienced that feeling of being between places, culturally, professionally, emotionally. The bar is our way of “opening our luggage” — sharing our heritage, our influences, and creating a space where others feel safe to do the same. It’s about transforming something that once divided people into something that brings us together through great hospitality, conversation, and a shared sense of belonging.
Shoreditch is already full of cocktail spots and pubs. How does Without Papers stand out in such a competitive neighbourhood?
Shoreditch has an incredible bar scene, it’s full of creativity and great places doing exciting things. That’s part of what drew us here. With Without Papers, our focus is on creating a space where hospitality truly comes first, where guests feel at ease the moment they arrive.
Yes, we take our drinks seriously and everything on the menu is crafted with care, but what really defines us is the warmth of the experience. The atmosphere is welcoming, relaxed, and people-focused. We want every guest to feel like they belong, whether they’re popping in for a quick espresso, a spritz, or staying for the night. It’s about building genuine connection, not just serving drinks. That’s what makes the experience memorable and what we hope keeps people coming back.
You’ve described the bar as a mix of Italian hospitality and British pub culture. What does that balance look like in practice for your guests?
It’s a bit like a family-run Italian osteria, warm, welcoming, and full of genuine hospitality. At the same time, it has the relaxed, friendly atmosphere of a British pub, where the community comes together. When you walk in, you feel cared for and comfortable. You might come for a cocktail but stay for the company.
The cocktail menu blends Italian and British influences. Can you share one drink that perfectly captures that fusion and the story behind it?
For sure I have to say the Mediterranean Gimlet. It’s a fresh twist on the classic gin gimlet, made with London dry gin, Sicilian wine, and our own Mediterranean cordial crafted from herbs and citrus typical of Italian cuisine, like basil and rosemary.
This cocktail perfectly brings together the best of both worlds, a spirit-led, martini-style gin cocktail infused with the bright, aromatic flavors of the Italian coast.
Community seems central to your concept. How do you hope Without Papers will become part of Shoreditch’s local culture?
We see Without Papers as a true neighbourhood bar, not just a destination. We’re already building strong relationships with local residents, neighbouring businesses, and artists. Every Tuesday, we host our Social Spirit night, a free cocktail and drinks masterclass with a different brand takeover each week. We’re also planning wine tastings and live music soon.
The goal is to create a place where people feel comfortable coming in multiple times a week, a spot where you’re known by name and feel part of something. That’s how we grew up in Italy, with the local bar in the town square, where everyone came together. We want to bring that same feeling to Shoreditch.
Music, design, food, cocktails, each adds to the experience. How did you approach creating the atmosphere at Without Papers beyond the drinks list?
We just built a place that felt right to us, looking a bit like a pub, which we love, wooden bar, leather banquettes, cosy lighting. It’s familiar, comfortable, somewhere you’d want to spend time.
The music is basically what we like to listen to, a mix of 80s and 90s rock, a bit of old-school hip-hop and R&B, and now and then, we’ll throw on an Italian track for fun. It’s there to set the mood, but not take over. We want people to talk, laugh, relax, not shout over a playlist, but with a few cheesy songs which will make everyone want to sing along.
Same with the food, we’re not trying to be fancy. It’s all about good aperitivo-style plates, but without cutting corners on quality. We serve high-quality Italian and British charcuterie and cheese, and a few simple snacks that just work perfectly with a drink. Nothing complicated, just honest, tasty food. In the end, we built the kind of place we’d want to hang out in, welcoming, relaxed, with great drinks a little rough around the edges, but full of heart.
For more on how Shoreditch blends global influences with local culture, check out our feature on Best Restaurants in Shoreditch: Where to Eat, Drink & Discover Local Flavours.
Looking ahead, what’s your long-term vision for Without Papers—do you see it as a one-off neighbourhood favourite, or the start of something bigger?
Right now, our focus is on doing one thing really well, making Without Papers a true part of the Shoreditch community. We want to build a strong reputation for the bar, establish the brand, and create a space that people genuinely connect with.
But long-term, we absolutely see the potential to grow, not as a chain, but as a family of unique venues that share the same core values: heritage, hospitality, and quality food and drinks. Each one could reflect the character of its own neighbourhood, with different concepts and ideas, while staying true to our ethos.
We’re not building for hype, we’re building for longevity.