We went to London's prison-themed cocktail bar where you have to smuggle in your own liquor

Business Insider visited Alcotraz, a controversial Alcatraz themed pop up cocktail bar where patrons are served by mixologists dressed as prisoners.

The pop up is a "Bring Your Own Booze" bar, meaning that visitors have to bring in their own unopened bottles of their spirit of choice.

On arrival guests have to "smuggle" in their own alcohol, it's then taken by mixologists who make personalised cocktails for you.

We spoke with Alcotraz' founder, Sam Shearman about the backlash he has received around the prison theme.

Mr Shearman said; "So I've always been sensitive to the topic and the last thing I've wanted to do is romanticise imprisonment or in any way make fun of the prison system in today's environment."

"What I've wanted to do is create a theatrical set that brings to life elements that are already seen in TV shows in novels and even in Hollywood movies and all of the props around here are taken from Alcatraz island itself and that has itself become a tourist attraction."

"So for me the people who are buying into it - and we've sold 80% of all tickets - they are theatre lovers and lovers of theatrical experiences and that's what our premise is, putting on a show every night. You overlay that in between the theatrical experiences, we have actors in scenes, we have mixologists playing parts and they're delivering great cocktails to people."

"The guests act as the audience to some extent I think that's what so important about Alcotraz it happens to the guests when they're in here."