The London Guide From Bon Vivant

Posted by Emyr Thomas

We hope that our members and readers enjoy our regular blog posts – we try to make sure we tell you about the best venues and experiences to help maximise your free time and to ensure you are ‘in the know’ before anyone else.

In addition to the blog, we have launched a new section on our main website called The London Guide – your one source for the best hotels, restaurants, bars, spas, exclusive events and cultural highlights in one of the greatest cities on Earth – London.

Whether you want to know about the best London hotels (luxury or boutique), want to find a suitable London restaurant for the right occasion (brunch, afternoon, business lunch or private dining room, for example) or need inspiration for somewhere to go for a drink (cocktail bar, rooftop bar or champagne bar).

Bon Vivant’s London Guide hopes to be your one source to return to time and time again for inspiration on the best that London has to offer – it has our best content in one place, easily accessible and in an easy format to navigate.

We also have a section on London neighbourhood guides and a selection of holiday destination and travel guides including the Caribbean, Mallorca, Barcelona and the South of France.

Bon Vivant’s London Guide will tell you what you need to book, for whom, when and how. Click here to read The London Guide.

If you would like us to cover any content that we currently don’t have, please email us or leave a comment below – we would love to hear your thoughts. If you don’t already subscribe to our blog, enter your email address below:

The Best Champagne Bars in London

Posted by Emyr Thomas

Few drinks have the same emotional effect as Champagne – the perfect celebratory drink and the focal point for a great birthday, party or gathering with friends and family. Read on for Bon Vivant’s guide to the best champagne bars in London.

The Grill Room at Cafe Royal

The Grill Room at London’s latest luxury hotel, Café Royal, has been restored to its original Louis XVI style and it looks stunning.

The opulent room has seen its share of history and scandal, and is now, thankfully, open again as a champagne bar with a great location on the fringes of Mayfair and Soho.

Bob Bob Ricard

Bob Bob Ricard in Soho is designed in the style of a train with booths for 4 to sit for dinner with plush curtains separating the booths. It oozes Art Deco decadence with its buzzy atmosphere, and there’s a “press for champagne” button on your table to press when you need a top up – perfect!

Bubbledogs

Bubbledogs was one of the big restaurant hits of 2012 specialising in hot dogs and champagne on Charlotte Street in Fitzrovia. Bubbledogs features a menu of ten hot dogs served on traditional steamed buns and a selection of grower Champagnes.

Bubbledogs offers a cool alternative to the grand champagne bars in London.

Kettner’s Soho

The Champagne Bar at Kettner’s has an extensive range of champagnes. The bar has a wonderful Soho buzz and has two ‘nooks’ that are ideal for an evening with a group of friends.

Keep reading for our tips for some of the best champagne bars in London…

Champagne and Fromage

As a Champagne bar, shop and bistro, Champagne and Fromage has a no fuss, warm and welcoming ambience.

All the grower champagnes served at Champagne and Fromage are sourced by the owners from award-winning family owned producers.

The Vaults at Voltaire

Once housing the treasures of the former bank above, the old stone vaults have now been converted into a unique bar area, The Vaults at Voltaire. The Vaults offer private alcoves with i-pod docks and decorated in silks and furs, with service from your own private waiter.

St Pancras Grand Champagne Bar

Known as one of Europe’s longest Champagne bars, the St Pancras Grand Champagne Bar is located on the terrace of St Pancras International station, alongside the Eurostar train carriages.

Marvel at the station’s stunning architecture and roof while you wait for your journey to Paris with a glass of champagne

Texture

Texture is a Michelin starred restaurant, combining British ingredients with Scandinavian influences. The Texture Champagne Bar offers five Champagnes by the glass and a further 110 by the bottle, making this an ideal spot for a pre-dinner drink or to make your way through the extensive champagne list!

Vertigo 42

Vertigo 42 is located on the 42nd floor of Tower 42, the former NatWest tower in the City. Vertigo 42′s Champagne Bar offers a stunning view of London while you enjoy a glass of champagne.

The Beaufort Bar at The Savoy

The Beaufort Bar is an Art Deco gem with opulent black and gold furnishings. The bar has an extensive list of champagne by the glass and by the bottle including rare vintages from Louis Roederer and Cristal.

The Beaufort Bar has live lounge singers on select evenings and a monthly evening of cabaret and burlesque.

Aqua Nueva Cava Bar

Aqua London in Soho has launched a new cava bar in its Spanish restaurant, Aqua Nueva, showcasing 15 Cavas at the tapas bar.

The new cava bar has the largest cava selection in London. Aqua also has two lovely rooftop terraces to enjoy in the summer months.

If you liked this feature on the best champagne bars in London, read our London Bar Guide and sign up to our blog below:

Clerkenwell Restaurants and Bars: London Neighbourhood Guide

Posted by Emyr Thomas

Bon Vivant’s Emyr Thomas has lived in Clerkenwell for 10 years and knows its restaurants and bars inside out. Here’s a selection of his favourite Clerkenwell Restaurants and Clerkenwell Bars.

Clerkenwell Restaurants: Caravan

Caravan offers one of the best brunches in London on the weekend in a relaxed and effortlessly cool setting on Exmouth Market in Clerkenwell. When the weather warms up, the door and windows open and diners spill out into the street.

The New Zealand influenced restaurant has its own coffee roaster, so flat whites are very popular too. Caravan has a second outpost, Caravan King’s Cross.

Clerkenwell Restaurants: Morito

Moriton is a small tapas bar right next door to its big sister, Moro, the acclaimed Spanish restaurant on Exmouth Market. This is one of my favourite tapas bars in London – it’s small, casual and has an excellent selection of authentic and inventive tapas dishes.

Clerkenwell Bars: ZTH Bar at The Zetter Townhouse Hotel

The Zetter Townhouse bar is designed around a fictional crazy aunt whose artefacts from around the globe fill up the room.

The setting in a townhouse on a beautify square in Clerkenwell is delightful and the cocktails are excellent.

Clerkenwell Restaurants: The Modern Pantry

Right next door to the Zetter Townhouse is Anna Hansen’s Modern Pantry, which serves excellent food in light, bright surroundings. The restaurants also has a large terrace to make the most of the sunshine in the summer months with alfresco dining and a few lovely private dining rooms upstairs.

Clerkenwell Bars: The Peasant

Clerkenwell has its share of gastropubs, including the Coach & Horses and The Eagle, but The Peasant is one of my favourites. The downstairs bar area is full of character, serving a long list of ales and beers, with plenty of room for both drinkers and diners.

Clerkenwell Restaurants: Polpo Smithfield

A recent addition to Clerkenwell, Polpo Smithfield opened near Smithfield Market in the summer of 2012. Polpo Smithfield is the latest restaurant from Russell Norman, whose restaurant empire started with the original Polpo in Soho.

Polpo Smithfield also has a basement Negroni bar.

Clerkenwell Restaurants: Portal

Portal is a modern Portuguese restaurant and bar on St John Street. Architecturally, the dining room is stunning: a glass conservatory within a brick courtyard with atmospheric and beautiful up-lighting creating a dramatic backdrop.

The Iberian cuisine is top notch with some wonderful Portuguese wines.

Clerkenwell Restaurants: Bistrot Bruno Loubet

Bruno Loubet returned to the London restaurant scene with Bistrot Bruno Loubet at The Zetter Hotel. The tables are packed in next to each other, but the crowds keep flocking here for the rustic French cooking with intense flavours.

Clerkenwell Bars: Nightjar

Although not strictly in Clerkenwell, Nightjar is a beautiful bar hidden away in a basement in Old Street, which does technically have an EC1 postcode.

Nightjar is a great place to relax with a drink alongside laid back jazz and brilliant live music on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Clerkenwell Restaurants: St John Restaurant

A guide to Clerkenwell’s restaurant wouldn’t be complete without a mention of St John, the famous ‘nose to tail’ restaurant that uses every possible part of an animal. St John is a bit of a Mecca for London’s ‘foodies’ and certainly worth a visit at least once.

Other notable restaurants include French restaurant Morgan M, the relaunched Quality Chop House and the Fox & Anchor pub on Smithfield Market.

If you need a strong coffee after visiting all the restaurants and bars, try Workshop Coffee Co, which features on our guide to the best coffee shops in London.

What are your favourite Clerkenwell restaurants and bars? We would love to hear your thoughts below.

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London’s Best New Cocktail Bars – 2012

Posted by Emyr Thomas

London saw some excellent openings during 2012, with another handful of great bars we’re sure will stand the test of time and become must-visits in the capital. Read on for our guide to the best new bars in London.

Oskar’s Bar at Dabbous

Dabbous is the brain child of chef Oliver Dabbous and bartender Oskar Kinsburg. It may take months to get a reservation in the restaurant upstairs, but take note, Oskar’s bar in the basement is rarely full – a hidden gem.

Industrial in style, the bar is beautifully decked out, if a little dark. The menu consists of classic cocktails and Oskar’s own inventions, including some beer based libations that we would definitely recommend trying.

The bar snacks are (unsurprisingly) second to none, mirroring some of the courses on the menu upstairs, making Oskar’s Bar one of the best new bars in London.

39 Whitfield Street W1T 2SF

London Cocktail Club

The first of our 2012 predictions to come true was the opening of a naval themed London Cocktail Club. The second LCC (third venue if you include Covent Garden Cocktail Club) JJ and James have brought their signature laid back atmosphere and feel good cocktails to Bloomsbury.

Rum is the name of the game here, with pin up girls and tattoo designs on the wall. The cocktails follow the same formula as the other venues, with all time classics alongside signature twists and bar snacks designed to complement your drinks perfectly. Go for banging drinks and a great party atmosphere at one of the best new bars in London.

224a Shaftesbury Avenue WC2H 8EB

Evans and Peel

Evans and Peel proved that, despite predictions otherwise, London’s appetite for speakeasy bars remained strong. This time entry comes via a detective agency, with a resident detective who will need to consider your case before allowing you in.

With a sweet little cocktail menu including infusions and an antique radiator that dispenses beer, expect unusual twists along the way.

310c Earl’s Court Road SW5 9AQ

Bounce

Indulge your competitive side by combining your cocktails with a side of ping pong at Bounce. With history on its side (the venue sits on the same site where the game was created in 1901) they’ve gone all out, with multiple ping pong tables including one used in the 2012 Olympics.

The bar, homage to a gin palace, stocks a range of spirits, with a short but concise cocktail list.

121 Holborn EC1N 2TD

Beard to Tail

The long awaited second venue from Callooh Callay came with a distinctly foodie twist. As the name suggests, the menu features all kinds of unusual cuts of meat from pig and cow. The drinks offering has a strong American influence with craft beers and lots of bourbon so expect to find juleps, Manhattans and sazeracs.

Their brunches are well worth a look, if just for their amazing bloody mary, served with a side of crackling at one of the best new bars in London.

77 Curtain Road, London, EC2A 3BS

Duck and Waffle / SushiSamba

If you love your cocktails with a side of epic view, Duck and Waffle and SushiSamba are for you. Gaze over London from either of the bars which sit at the top of the Heron Tower, just one super fast lift ride away. Part of the same venue but split over multiple floors each restaurant and bar has its own personality.

Duck & Waffle sits up top, with an inside out bar of sorts, where you can stand alongside the bartender as they craft your drinks. SushiSamba sits beneath and has a stunning roof terrace framed around a beautiful tree, making it one of the best new bars in London.

Heron Tower, 110 Bishopsgate EC2N 4AY

Bar Americain

It isn’t a speakeasy but Bar Americain at Brasserie Zedel oozes 1930s glamour – think Babette’s Supper Club from Boardwalk Empire. The cocktails keep to theme, with classics such as Sazeracs and Martinis on offer.

Visually stunning, although sometimes lacking a little in atmosphere, definitely pull up a bar stool when you visit.

Brasserie Zedel, 20 Sherwood Street, City of Westminster, W1F 7ED

2013 Predictions…

Looking to 2013, keep an eye out for the bar in the shard, sure to rival the heron tower for their views, expect multiple new openings from LCC as the boys build on their empire, and watch out for a potential new bar from Dabbous…

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Opium Cocktail and Dim Sum Parlour

Posted by Bon Vivant

Opium dens were prevalent in many parts of the world in the 19th century, but stepping away from the late 19^th century and into December 2012 we can associate an ‘Opium Den’ with a lot less Morphine and a lot more delectable oriental-inspired liquid creations designed to provide a unique sensory experience once you step through the jade door at the Opium Cocktail and Dim Sum Parlour.

Opium Cocktail and Dim Sum Parlour is the newest kid on the Gerrard St block, nestled appropriately amongst the hustle and bustle of Chinatown, and the sights and smells that make this little part of London one of the most vibrant.

Opium Cocktail and Dim Sum Parlour features nooks and crannies spread over three floors, with all spaces lending themselves to a different feel – relaxed lounge style seating, an intimate boudoir drinking den for a close crowd, and open plan bars to spread out and escape the intensity of central London, each one providing a feast of flexible drinking and dining experiences.

When I got the opportunity to step into this lush hub of oriental eclecticism last week, I was taken aback by the vast contrast of standing on Gerrard St, then stepping into the dimly-lit, cavernous surrounds of Opium – it provided some respite from the noise outside, and offered the soft mumblings of friendly chatter inside.

I was positioned at the bartenders’ table, where you can watch the masters at work, mixing up luxurious cocktails. It is really a bit magical – wielding apothecary-style bottles instead of wands, and serving up mysterious potions to satisfy even the most hardened cocktail connoisseur.

Opium Cocktail and Dim Sum Parlour’s mixologist Dre Masso is the brains behind the stellar line-up of unique cocktails on offer at Opium, and going one step further, he has orchestrated a Cocktail and Dim Sum Pairing- matching his signature drinks to the selection of dim sum and roast meats that make up Opium’s fare.

Through a hint of science and a healthy amount of intuition, each pairing creates a taste sensation greater than the sum of its parts.

I tried a couple of cocktails whilst I was there – the house special, Opium Cocktail No 1, which contains two types of rum, absinthe, mandarin juice, lime juice, kaffir lime juice, kaffir lime syrup, citrus bitters and a ginseng capsule.

It is served bubbling in an interesting drinking apparatus – the perfect blend of theatre, alcohol and perfectly balanced flavours. A must have for the first visit but note the limit of two per person. Something about being told that made me want to have three.

Now enter Opium Cocktail and Dim Sum Parlour’s Kung Fu Fiz (pictured above), a dinky china cup packed full of flavour that you are convinced will not work, but it does. It works. It works very well. Champagne, parsnip puree, honey and malt vinegar, served straight up. The parsnip drew me in, and the sweet honey kept me there.

The Scallop, coriander and pea dumplings, pork and prawn dumplings and a couple of cheeky Chinese egg tarts topped off the Opium experience, and puts a much more appealing spin on the trusty ‘dinner and drinks’ combo. Give me opulent Opium Den chic any day.

Address: Opium Cocktail and Dim Sum Parlour, 15-16 Gerrard Street, W1

If you like cocktails, read our guide to London’s best cocktail bars.

Courtney Smith works in the world of consumer PR by day with a passion for food, travel, whisky and all things alcohol related. Hailing from Australia, she travels as often as she can, writing about accommodation, dining and drinking experiences as she goes.

Evans and Peel Detective Agency – London Bar Guide

Posted by Vilma

On Earl’s Court Square, off Earl’s Court Road, third door down past the launderette, there’s a discreet sign – “Evans and Peel Detective Agency”. The door is locked, so I start ringing the bell…

“Hello! I have an appointment at 9:30!” I shout when I hear a woman’s distant voice.

“There is an investigation going on at the moment, please wait on the stairs,” she tells me.

Five or ten minutes go by and finally I’m inside a 1920s detectives’ office (including ancient typewriter, phone and other gadgets). A beautiful lady dressed in a white fur coat sits behind her desk and asks about my case. I mumble something incomprehensible and tell her that a friend of mine will join me shortly.

The lady detective says my guest will have to discuss the case with her, then pushes a bookcase forward and a secret doors opens into a beautifully designed Prohibition-style bar. It’s low-lit, mysterious, warm and filled with delicious smells of smoked fish and meats.

The detective informs me that the tile and brick feature wall behind the bar at Evans and Peel Detective Agency was uncovered in the initial stages of renovation, its entire bar has been crafted from the 250 year old oak of claimed church pews, and theatre seats from the 1930s were shipped over from France.

Tables were made from scaffolding boards, placed on top of antique Singer sewing machine bases, and vintage glass cabinets had their legs removed and were mounted on the walls so that each spirit has its own dedicated cabinet. All tables, chairs, radiators, light fixtures and the eclectic crockery were sourced from flea markets and antique shops, along with the vintage fire extinguishers and taxidermy.

When my friend Konrad finally shows up at Evans and Peel Detective Agency, he tells me that the lady detective with the white fur coat asked him if he had known that I skinned cats. Only when he assured her it did not bother him, she let him inside. Konrad was very impressed with the secret door.

Evans and Peel serves ‘American tapas’ – small plates of rich things such as wedges (£4), mac & cheese (£5) and smoked goats’ cheese fritter with maple syrup (£4). We sampled “The Whole Caboodle” dish – a selection of treats that came on a three tier cake stand (£32). The detectives said that all food is locally sourced and smoking is done in-house using a custom built smoker called ‘The Flapper’.

A prohibition-style bar would never be successful without some fabulous cocktails (all Evans & Peel developed cocktails are priced at £9.50). Auntie May’s Pisco Flip (A Pisco Sour with apple and lemon curd) came in a tea cup and was dangerously delicious.

According to the menu, amateurs should beware of Only the Daring (Whiskey, Campari & bitters) that is for heroes only. G – Minus (Gin, lavender and Earl Grey with orange bitters) is a re-mastered G&T, that combines all English flavours.

There’s a no standing policy at Evans and Peel and they say all clients must be seated for their consultation. But the bar is not a members’ venue and a few tables are left every night for that urgent case solving.

To make sure you’re kept informed of similar updates on a regular basis, subscribe to our blog below. You may also want to read about other London cocktail bars including Bar 45 at 45 Park Lane and The Lucky Pig.

Join us as we review London’s best cocktail bars (including Evans and Peel Detective Agency) by following us on Twitter at @BonVivantLiving.

New Bars in London – Autumn 2012

Posted by Emyr Thomas

Looking for somewhere new to enjoy a cocktail in London? Read on for our guide to London’s new bars opening this autumn. You may also want to read our guide to London’s best cocktail bars, which includes our old favourites.

Ling Ling at Hakkasan Hanway Place

The original Hakkasan, located at 8 Hanway Place, will launch their new bar ‘Ling Ling’ on Thursday 1st November. Every week from Thursday to Saturday inclusive, at approximately 11pm until 2.30am, Hakkasan Hanway Place will move from a restaurant into a late night lounge.

High profile DJs will play monthly and the full dining menu will be available until 12.30am and guests can choose from a signature Ling Ling menu of small eats and dim sum from 11pm until 1.30am.

Buddha-Bar London, Knightsbridge

Buddha-Bar comes to London’s Knightsbridge from 1 November. First established in Paris in 1996, Buddha-Bar London ‘will blend Far Eastern cuisine with Western tastes and influences’ offering a menu with Chinese, Japanese, Thai and other Eastern flavours. Buddha-Bar London is set over two floors with an excellent cocktail list and live DJs.

Reverend JW Simpson, Fitzrovia

From the people behind Bourne & Hollingsworth, Reverend JW Simpson is a new cocktail bar opening on Goodge Street in late October 2012. An intimate space with the cocktail list focusing on Fizzes, Flips, Cobblers, Smashes and Sours, the drinks are mixed and served at the table.

The bar retains the original room dividers, wall coverings, flooring and tiles of the apartment that originally occupied the site, subtly exposing the former building’s kitchen, bathroom, living room and bedroom. The bar will launch officially on the 25th October.

Baroque, Mayfair

The latest venture from nightlife entrepreneur Gerry Calabrese, Baroque is located on the ground floor of the Playboy Club on Old Park Lane and claims to have the most extensive vintage Champagne list in Europe!

Having undergone an extensive refurbishment, the venue has been transformed into a sumptuous space with lavish colours, heavy drapes, Louis XIV chairs and antique mirrors. Baroque opens on 4 October.

2 & 8 Club at Morton’s, Mayfair

Morton’s Club has relaunched its nightclub as the 2 & 8 Club, with Jake Parkinson-Smith and Carlo Carello, previously at Boujis, in charge. The club is open until 3am from Tuesday to Saturday.

Bounce, Holborn

Hot on the heels of Ping, which opened late summer 2012, Bounce is a new ping pong bar and restaurant from one of the co-founders of bowling venue All Star Lanes. Bounce will offer a mix of ‘table tennis, cocktails, dining and eclectic beats’.

There is also a private room available for exclusive hire featuring three specially commissioned ping pong tables alongside a private cocktail bar and DJ booth.

Join us as we tour London’s new bars by following us on Twitter @BonVivantLiving.

London Cocktail Week – From 8 October 2012

Posted by Bon Vivant

London Cocktail Week will have its hub around Seven Dials in Covent Garden for a week from Monday 8th October, providing an opportunity for discerning drinkers to taste different cocktails, visit bars they’ve never heard of and maybe even try their hand at cocktail making too.

Sign up online to reserve your wristband, which will grant you entry to the area’s mix of high end luxury hotels, underground bars, retail spaces and exclusive members’ clubs, which will be buzzing with tastings, masterclasses, pop up shops and cocktail parties.

London Cocktail Week have put together the Discerning Drinker’s Guide, an exclusive list for those in the know, featuring one off events for cocktail lovers that want that little bit extra in luxury – click here for details.

Société Perrier London are hosting a Great Gatsby themed party at Cellar Door in Aldwych on Wednesday – email london@societeperrier.com for guestlist details.

The London Cocktail Week Cocktail Tours will once again be taking place, with some of the best bars in the city throwing open their doors to offer a bespoke London Cocktail Week cocktail for just £4 to wristband wearers. For further information visit Londoncocktailweek.com or check out Bon Vivant’s list of London’s best cocktail bars.

Follow Bon Vivant as we tour London’s best bars on Twitter @BonVivantLiving

The Best Hotel Bars in London

Posted by Emyr Thomas

London’s hotel bar scene has thrived over the last few years with some of the world’s best bar tenders and mixologists at the helm. Emyr Thomas shares his thoughts on the best hotel bars in London.

The Connaught Hotel

The Connaught hotel features two exquisite bars that are ideal for very different occasions. The warmth and intimacy of the Coburg Bar make it a wonderful place to relax after a day at the office or shopping, while the design and the cocktails at the Connaught Bar are perfect for an upbeat glamorous evening with friends.

We highly recommend one of their signature Martinis, making both strong contenders for the best hotel bars in London.

The Library Bar

The Library Bar at The Lanesborough hotel is a destination itself and a perfect place to relax with a cognac to the sound of the grand piano. Immerse yourself in the memory of an almost forgotten era of refinement and sophistication.

The Donovan Bar

The Donovan Bar at Brown’s Hotel in Mayfair is cool, stylish, intimate and a haven for fashionistas. The walls are adorned with Terence Donovan’s iconic black and white prints, which adds a contemporary twist to the history of the surroundings.

The Donovan is one of our picks for the best hotel bars in London.

The Zetter Townhouse

The Zetter Townhouse bar is designed around ‘Aunt Wilhelmina’, a fictional crazy old aunt whose trinkets and artefacts from her global travels fill up the room. The cocktail menu is short but perfectly formed.

Each cocktail is the result of a specific concept, and is the product of multiple experiments a lab to get the final libation just right. The Zetter Townhouse Bar is cool, quirky and certainly one of the best hotel bars in London.

Artesian Bar at The Langham

Situated in the beautifully revamped Langham hotel, the David Collins designed bar is sleek, sexy and dramatic. With its 50 types of rum, Artesian is ideally placed for a post shopping cocktail or a refined haven from the frenzy of nearby Soho.

The Bassoon Bar at The Corinthia

The Corinthia Hotel is situated close to Trafalgar Square and the Houses of Parliament in an old Ministry of Defence building. The Bassoon Bar was designed by famous designer David Collins, where the centrepiece is the piano – not only do they have regular live music but the piano is built into the bar!

The bar is stylish, relaxed and has an excellent cocktail list, making The Bassoon Bar one of the best hotel bars in London.

Max Bar at The Covent Garden Hotel

In the heart of Covent Garden, the focal point of the quaint Monmouth Street, the Max bar at the Covent Garden hotel is elegant, intimate and buzzy. Recline, soak up the British charm and feel right at home.

Bar 45 at 45 Park Lane

Bar 45 is housed in The Dorchester Collection’s new hotel in Mayfair, 45 Park Lane. The bar features a long, black granite bar with an autumnal amber and red colour scheme throughout.

The cocktail menu includes speciality infused vodka and gin creations, and I can personally recommend ‘Pepito’s Revenge’, which is made from tequila and lime with an overriding basil flavour, and the Umami Cocktail, although impossible to accurately describe, is certainly worth a try!

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If you liked this guide to the best hotel bars in London, why not read our guide to the best London hotels with swimming pools, the most romantic restaurants in London or the best alfresco restaurants in London?

The Hawksmoor Bar

Posted by Vilma

The new bar in the basement of the original Hawksmoor Spitalfields on Commercial Street is a very fashionable and glamorous affair. A dodgy strip club was first turned into a fruit store and this spring has been reborn as a beautiful 60-cover bar, The Hawksmoor Bar.

At The Hawksmoor Bar, polished brass walls are made from the Art Deco lift doors that previously adorned the 1920s Unilever Building in Embankment. The blue-patterned mirrors and teak parquet floor have also been salvaged from the same place.

The walls of the three cosy alcoves are covered with turquoise tiles and made to an original Art Nouveau pattern, while the ceiling of the alcoves, along with the bar top, are clad in copper.

The Hawksmoor Bar is dark, mysterious and funky – quite different from the more official and grown-up steak restaurant upstairs. The prices are also lower down below.

First we tucked into a fabulous Cheeseburger (£8.50) and chips (£4), followed by the Shortrib Nuggets (£6) – so good we ordered another portion without blinking an eye. The waiter confirmed the nuggets were the best seller and seemed to totally understand our unmasked gluttony.

The spiciness of the Tamworth Laab – minced pork with Thai spices that you wrap in lettuce leaves – (£6) cut through the richness of the beef and the nuggets and Jalapeño Coleslaw (£4) added some extra exciting flavours to our feast.

“Eureka!” we had our discovery moment when tasting the cocktail of the same name – Calvados, Sloe Gin & Lime (£8.50) and in order to prepare for the day ahead of us gulped down a couple of glasses of The Morning Glory Fizz – Scotch, Absinthe, Lemon & Soda (£9).

The Hawksmoor bar is an excellent cocktail bar with a food offering to match, as you’d expect from one of London’s best steakhouses.

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Read some of our best bar related content including the best speakeasy bars, best hotel bars and best cocktail bars in London.