Owned by the same team behind the London Cocktail Club (who now have branches on Goodge Street and Shaftesbury Avenue), this subterranean central London drinking den shares many of the qualities of its siblings. It’s a dark, hip little space, though not quite as raucous as the other venues.
Hidden away beneath the Arts Theatre, down a flight of metal stairs, it’s got a clubby vibe, with smart leather sofas and green walls. While the other venues serve more gastro-experimental drinks, here the focus is on the classics, well-made. The drinks start at a very reasonable £7.50 for the likes of a Kir Royale or Porn Star Martini with its chaser of champagne and the lower reaches of the cocktail list also includes a rich Oak-Aged Old Fashioned, a potent Vesper Martini and a smooth Sidecar. Brave souls might want to opt for the Flaming Zombie Volcano, a mix of dark and light rums with Pernod, absinthe, maraschino, lime, grenadine and angostura bitters, bathed in flame.
The music is loud and proud, tracks you can dance to – they’re not averse to cheese – the after-work crowd out to have a good time, and the bartenders are friendly and clearly know their stuff. If the munchies strike, they also serve charcuterie boards and epic metre-long pizzas.
Credit: World's Best Bars
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