The cocktail may be considered an American invention, but its roots stretch back to 18th Century London. It’s in this city we focus on today, doing a round up of some of the most cutting edge drinking spots. Because not all cocktails are created equal…
The cocktail may be considered an American invention, but its roots stretch back to 18th Century London. It’s in this city we focus on today, doing a round up of some of the most cutting edge drinking spots. Because not all cocktails are created equal…
Read on and let us know your own pick of the city’s most stylish bars.
Place: The Savoy
Cocktail: The Impressionist
The bar stands proud on the same cabaret stage where luminaries like George Gershwin once performed, and if that weren’t enough, its sheer lux deco will do the rest. Champagne is a big thing here with 27 available. One of its signature drinks is the The Impressionist, with Cherry Marnier, Creme de Violette, artisan raspberry syrup, Louis Roederer Brut Premier and rose fog. Highly impressive!
Address: Strand, London WC2R 0EU
Web: www.fairmont.com/savoy-london
Place: Zenna, Soho
Cocktail: The Iliana
This Indian-theme cocktail bar is headed by top mixologist Dan Thompson and they are famous for serving the world’s spiciest cocktail, the Iliana. It contains a potent drop of pure chilli sauce and it’s so hot that they serve it with a gin based “fire extinguisher”.
Address: 77 Dean Street, Soho, London W1D 3SH
Web: http://www.zenna-bar.co.uk
Place: Lounge Bohemia
Cocktail: Sgt. Pepper
A gourmet cocktail experience you would have never thought of when entering its mysterious staircase between a convenience store a kebab shop.Its bohemian 60s and 70s deco and the Czech-language newspapers really work in setting the scene. The cocktail menu is of course tucked into an old Czech story book and contains all sorts of imaginative cocktails. Perfect for an afternoon with your comrades.
Address: 1e Great Eastern St, London EC2A 3EJ
Place: Paramount, Soho
Cocktail: Don Draper #2
If offering some of the best cocktails in London wasn’t enough, this bar offers one of the best views of the city. Perched 32 floors above Oxford Street, it’s the ideal place to watch the sunset and of course to bring a date you want to impress. To seal the deal, why not try smoky Don Draper #2? Woodford Reserve Bourbon, Tobacco Liqueur and Chocolate and Orange Bitters are some of its ingredients.
Address: Center Point, 101-103 New Oxford Street, London WC1A 1DD
Web: www.paramount.uk.net
Place: Kiss The Sky, Crouch End
Cocktail: Kiss the sky
Inside this bar is all eclectic decor of 1970s floor lamps, mosaic bar and shared tables. It has become a hot spot for fashionable young people with the occasional celebrity, who come for the relaxed DJ sessions and the excellent cocktails. Kiss the Sky, their signature drink, si a mix of Amaretto, vodka, apple juice and lime.
Address: 18-20 Park Road, N8 8TD
Web: www.kisstheskybar.com
Place: Experimental Cocktail Club, Soho
Cocktail: Havana
It’s definitely worth the effort finding this hidden bar within China Town. This unique bar conjures up 1920’s glamour with its vintage decor. Booking ahead is recommended for it fills quite quickly and one should not go before trying Havana, an exotic cigar-infused that pays tribute to Cuba.
Address: 3A Gerrard Street, Soho, London W1D 5PS
Web: www.chinatownecc.com
Place: The Shop
Cocktail: The Once Loved
This stylish bar that defines itself as a community has one of the weirdest signature cocktails we’ve seen. It’s called The Once Loved and it conjures up memories of break time at school with the help of its container: a milk bottle. It’s contents: Kraken rum, Coco Lopez, pineapple juice and creme de Abricot. A single straw is pierced through the top, scoring A+ for authenticity.
Address: 75 Chamberlayne Rd, London NW10 3ND
