Cocktail Curiosity London

We are totally spoilt in London, from sky high beauties of bars to underground secret speakeasys, there is a bar (and a fabulous bartender) for each and every occasion. These cocktails and bars are but a few I’ve stumbled upon recently, through leisure and work (tough job, right?), that I recommend you seek out. Here we go:

No. 1 – Merchant House

A gorgeous bar situated close to Bank station and decked out in the decor of times gone by, the bar is themed all around the history of gin and rum being the powerhouses of cocktails.

I was lucky enough to see one of the owners at work who whipped up a Nemesis (which involved some impressive flames) and an Admiral Vernon’s Grog. Steeped in the history of the area, the cocktails reflect the world and stories of the evolution of rum and gin and the menu itself is a thing of beauty. It also has one of the best well stocked bars in London, and the bartenders effortlessly locate bottles from this mountain of liquid. Find out more here. For all you illustrators & historians out there, take a look at Merchant House’s beautiful cocktail menu.

Admiral Nelson’s Grog with The Duppy Share rum

Pouring fire into the Nemesis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No 2. Sky Garden

At the top of the ‘walkie talkie’ building right by Monument tube and you may need to make a booking (definitely for the restaurant), but after a certain time you can queue to go up. It’s worth the wait.

It’s simply beautiful inside, the foliage is stunning and when I went up it was incredibly peaceful and quiet (though I’ve been assured it’s often packed at a weekend!) At places like Sky Garden, I always enjoy trying classics – something everyone knows, but you’ll probably end up with the best mojito/g&t/martini (delete as appropriate) that you’ve ever had, so I went for a Berry Mojito. It was, as I assumed, delicious. There’s nothing worse in cocktails than a watery mess, and this mojito was anything but. Delicious, refreshing and well-made. Needless to say, we tried a few more off the menu including Into the Woods which comes with its own cinnamon stick and warm cocktails, which are one of this world’s delightful outcomes of having to deal with winter.

The amazing drinks coupled up with the view of London make this a must-visit spot. Worth heading up for sunset (or trying to stay until sunrise…management permitting) – find out more here.

Happy cocktail chasing.

Cocktails complete with their own plant life

The biggest window I have ever seen..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NB. Full disclosure, I currently work with The Duppy Share in a PR capacity. But I’d write about them either way. Seriously good rum.

Dandelyan – Mondrian London

Really, if you haven’t been to Dandelyan yet, what is your excuse?

It’s not only won Best New International Cocktail Bar at Tales of the Cocktail, but recently been given the title of Best Place to Drink courtesy of the Observer Food Monthly Awards and you can’t argue with them.

My first visit was for the book launch of Good Things to Drink with Mr Lyan and Friends from head bartender Ryan Cheti aka Mr Lyan. And what a year he’s having. Alongside the book launch and the incredible success of Dandelyan achieved in just over a year, Ryan also won International Bartender of the Year at Tales.

I fell in love with Dandelyan immediately, there’s something very welcoming, cosy and familiar about the bar whilst still maintaining a modern feel. The cocktails are outrageously good, I tasted a few but the one that stood out was a simple but extremely well made G&T – botanical beauties at their best.

All of the details from the gorgeous Dixon interiors to the cleverly designed cocktail menus make the experience a real treat and it’s definitely no struggle to understand why Mr. Lyan is on the up and up.

If you prefer the East to South of the river, head to White Lyan in Hoxton. Yet to go myself, if Dandelyan is anything to go by, you won’t be disappointed.

Find out more about Ryan and his bars here: mrlyan.com