Where to drink
North Greenwich has never been much of a destination for London revellers, but that looks poised to change following the opening of Brooklyn Bowl at the O2. The Big Smoke has essentially purloined one of The Big Apple’s more celebrated institutions, and done an accomplished bit of thievery at that. This baby is more of a cavernous affair than its prototype – it’s massive, with space for 800 guests, a giant stage, a giant dancefloor, three bars, and a restaurant that serves authentic American roadside diner fare in Fred Flintstone size proportions.
For those who are uninterested in commuting to the O2, there has been a flurry of activity in the West End, particularly in Covent Garden. The Experimental Cocktail Group opened a wine bar on Neal’s Yard with the slightly cumbersome name, to the Anglo tongue at least, of Compagnie Des Vins Surnaturels. The venue is spread over two floors with small tables and comfortable seating interspersed among a cream-and-blue design palette that brings to mind Wedgwood pottery. Demolishing the perception of wine bars as fusty, dusty entities, CDVS champions the natural wine movement, and teases out recondite nuances with flavourful food pairings.
Nearby on Catherine Street, a Venetian style wine bar has been plying a brisk trade to London’s theatre-goers. Christened Augustus Harris after the prominent 19th Century thespian, it comprises of a curved copper bar, large bronze mirrors, and wooden shelves stocked with produce and sundries. There’s a punchy selection of Italian cocktails and wines, which are ideally matched with a range of cicchetti, crostini, salumi and dolci.
For those with a predilection for imbibing Nipponese-style, Denmark-born dining and drinking concept Sticks ‘n Sushi has opened its second London location on Maiden Lane. The room has been outfitted with a classy warehouse-chic design replete with natural woods and brass light fixtures. There’s a backlit, seagrass-hued bar serving up delicious libations such as the Dragon Heart – a creamy concoction of soy, avocado, honey, sake and Japanese shochu, as well as an immense range of Japanese whiskies.
Continuing west to Mayfair, James Chase of the eponymous vodka brand and Dominic Jacobs, former bar manager at Sketch, relaunched one of Mayfair’s most ancient public houses, The Running Horse, which dates back to 1738. The pub area downstairs is all country chic with worn tables, mismatched chairs, and a full arsenal of craft beers, well-chosen wine and Chase spirits. However, those who prefer their drinks with a touch of mixological flair can ascend the stairs to The Whip, the house cocktail bar, where they’ve taken pains to perfect the mint julep.
Tim Badham is the founder of Innerplace, an exclusive London lifestyle concierge. www.innerplace.co.uk @innerplaceLDN