Gin and Cocktail bars

Jimbeam3678 · 14 Dec 2014 at 15:46

After some advice going down to London village to meet my sister for Xmas drinks.

After some advice for some decent cocktail and gin bars. I don't mean the slug and lettuce type places. She usually takes me to a Hotel in knightsbridge which does awesome drinks.

Instead of relying on her like I usually do thought I'd ask in her from some people who live or go out in the city.

Thanks and Merry Christmas

Deep · 14 Dec 2014 at 15:59

There are some decent 'speakeasies' in London at the moment.
But be prepared to pay a lot of a drink

Jimbeam3678 · 14 Dec 2014 at 16:13

Any suggestions? Just fancy doing something different as its likely to be her last Christmas in the UK.

Is it bad I had to google speakeasies

J-FRO · 14 Dec 2014 at 16:17

Milk & Honey in Soho is quite nice for cocktails.

gobbo · 14 Dec 2014 at 16:20

There is a bar at the City of London Distillery near Blackfriers which is decent, there is also the London Gin Club on Great Chapel Street but you will need to book a table

dowie · 14 Dec 2014 at 16:24

Cellar Door

or if that is full (it isn't very big) - covent garden cocktail club (join online in advance)

milk and honey - early evening only as a non-member IIRC

Jimbeam3678 · 14 Dec 2014 at 16:46

gobbo said:
There is a bar at the City of London Distillery near Blackfriers which is decent, there is also the London Gin Club on Great Chapel Street but you will need to book a table

London Gin club is closed from the 20 th

Any other places ? Doesn't necessarily have to be only cocktails just somewhere a bit different.

Thanks for all the suggestions so far

Deep · 14 Dec 2014 at 16:54

Jimbeam3678 said:
Any suggestions? Just fancy doing something different as its likely to be her last Christmas in the UK.

Is it bad I had to google speakeasies

There is a fairly decent one in Shoreditch that I went to not to long ago.
I forget the name of it though, a google should sort that out.

It was different, but if you want something nice then don't bother with the place in Shoreditch

semi-pro waster · 14 Dec 2014 at 17:12

No idea what it's like inside but I passed by Purl London the other night and thought it sounded interesting.

Nitefly · 14 Dec 2014 at 17:14

You can quickly spend a small fortune in these places... a few rounds on a date can send you towards three figures :eek:

PMKeates · 14 Dec 2014 at 17:15

Hundreds of excellent bars, where are you going to be staying - West, East?

Scam · 14 Dec 2014 at 17:20

The Connaught Bar looks amazing. Can't say I've drunk there but I had a tour of the hotel and can't wait to go for a special occasion.

dowie · 14 Dec 2014 at 17:20

Jimbeam3678 said:
London Gin club is closed from the 20 th

Any other places ? Doesn't necessarily have to be only cocktails just somewhere a bit different.

Thanks for all the suggestions so far

bit different - The Mayor of Scaredy Cat Town

tis a 'secret' bar under the breakfast club on artillery lane - when you get to there, instead of being seated upstairs in the breakfast club tell them you're there to see 'The Mayor' - they open a 'secret' door in a fake SMEG fridge behind which is a flight of stairs to the bar below... the exit is via another 'secret' door that comes out in the corridor next to the toilets

thewanted · 14 Dec 2014 at 17:23

Perhaps a little bit off the beaten path, but The Alchemist near Aldgate station has awesome cocktails.

PMKeates · 14 Dec 2014 at 18:07

Scam said:
The Connaught Bar looks amazing. Can't say I've drunk there but I had a tour of the hotel and can't wait to go for a special occasion.

I've been to the The Connaught Bar several times and it's very good. Of the hotels bars I prefer Artesian - equally great cocktails with some fantastic presentation, but more space and complimentary canapés at various times. Artesian is regarded as one of the best bars in the world.

D.P. · 14 Dec 2014 at 18:24

dowie said:
bit different - The Mayor of Scaredy Cat Town

tis a 'secret' bar under the breakfast club on artillery lane - when you get to there, instead of being seated upstairs in the breakfast club tell them you're there to see 'The Mayor' - they open a 'secret' door in a fake SMEG fridge behind which is a flight of stairs to the bar below... the exit is via another 'secret' door that comes out in the corridor next to the toilets

I had to google this and got all exited, then realization set in as I read some reviews about the "secret entrance"

dowie · 14 Dec 2014 at 19:06

yeah it isn't really all that 'secret'... the fridge is visible from the breakfast club upstairs - tis more of a gimmick

there are a few other bars with supposedly 'secret' bars, locations etc.. went for a birthday party where there was a fake bookshelf that lead to a bunch of rooms - we had a 'boardroom' booked completely with big table, and waitress to fetch drinks

there is a hidden bar called Barts in Chelsea - tis a bit pretentious

Malevolence · 14 Dec 2014 at 19:21

The Bar at The Dorchester. On the expensive side, but well worth it.

Rich_L · 14 Dec 2014 at 19:23

The basement bar of Garlic & Shots is a delightful and quaint place to chill out and enjoy a cocktail or two, haha.

rogan · 14 Dec 2014 at 20:29

Jam Tree on the Kings Road

Nightjar in Shoreditch

Thirst in Soho

Barrio (central or east both quite nice)