Nightlife
Originally published on Tuesday, 14th December 2010
Best of the Bars 2010
It was a particularly impressive year for the bar-world. Despite being an infamously recession-proof industry, a lot of chaff has closed over the last couple of years (and sadly a little wheat: Salvatore Calabrese’s Fifty, for example). Which means that there’s been plenty of space for some cracking gems to come shining through – particularly from the speakeasy and luxury trends. So here’s a little round-up of our 2010 faves… and a few of the highlights that we’re holding out for in 2011…
Best Overall Launch of the Year: The Savoy
It’s just so hard not to love this iconic three-year, £220m Deco-licious hotel refurb on The Strand. Sure it’s a slight mare to get into (and Gordan Ramsay’s Grill might be hedging in on the limelight a touch) – but the glorious new Beaufort Bar is an absolute feat of gold-leafed champagne love, the legendary American Bar is an old-school charmer, and Erik Lorincz’s classic cocktails there are a thorough treat. Just be sure to allow a little time to get through the doors…
UJ's Bar Roster:
Best for Design: ECC Chinatown
Experimental Cocktail Club Chinatown, 13 Gerrard Street, W1D 5PS
A slice of semi low-key speakeasy bling in the heart of Chinatown, the Francophilic Experimental Cocktail Club import is a veritable trove of quirky design (love the piano-inset bar, the mirrored ceilings, colonial touches, and of course that carpet), and a heavenly 3am license for its (slightly overpriced – but impeccably made) cocktails.
Best for Fun: Public
Public, 533 King’s Road, SW10 0TZ
Yes we know it’s Sloane-land, but Guy Pelly’s new converted antique store of a bar/club pulls in a mixed bag of West London tribes (including a hefty dash of Mahiki-ites). The design is fun and kinda urban (by King’s Road standards), drinks are fairly priced, the dance floor hysterical for people-spotting, and we’re rather tickled by the glowing candy in the VIP area.
Best for Cocktails: Purl
Purl, 50-54 Blandford Street, W1U 7HX
Enamoured by both Purl’s chatty, subterranean fireplace-and-armchair vibe and of course the theatrical swirl of dry ice that surrounds our favourite rum concoctions, if you like your drinks a little quirky (deconstructed Piña Colada sorbet anyone?), then Marylebone’s premier cocktail joint is an absolute must.
Best for Crowd: The Starland Social Club / Danger of Death
The Starland Social Club, 78 Westbourne Grove, W2 5RT
Danger of Death, 202 Brick Lane, E1 6SA
If it’s off-radar you want then these are your babies. Sister venues to Jonathan Downey’s Milk and Honey, Player, Giant Robot et al., we truly love their local members’ policy – which leaves a crowd that’s regularly fun, friendly and gratefully devoid of w*nkers.
Best surprise hit: Dick’s Bar @ El Camion
El Camino, 25-27 Brewer Street, W1F 0RR
Beneath an easy-going Mexican resto on Brewer Street lies this gem of a West End late-night bar. Captained by the legendary Dick Bradsell, it’s tiny, charmingly sans frills, runs till a useful 3am, serves awesome drinks (he invented the Espresso Martini and Treacle, doncherknow) and inevitably ends in a wee dance-off.
Last Minute Mention (Latecomer): Nightjar
Nightjar, 129-131 City Road, EC1V 1JB
Beneath an intriguingly off-putting block beside Old Street roundabout, Nightjar takes the underground speakeasy concept and maximizes it to rather impressive effect. Only time will tell whether the location and cabaret gambles will pay off – but in the meantime, the fabulous drinks by ex-Montgomery Place’s Marion Beke and the charming décor are winners in our books.
Most Anticipated Openings of 2011:
As usual, the bar-world is keeping its cards pretty close to its chest. But highlights on our 2011 radar so far include: Quo Vadis’ new QV bar, launching beside its existing Dean Street site in January and headed-up by the marvelous cocktailian, Paul Mant. Jonathan Downey’s East Rooms Part Deux – rumoured for a possible 2011 launch following the first flagship’s sad demise in flames earlier this year. And of course then there’s the official Playboy Club in Mayfair. It could be fabulous; it could be horrific. Either way, morbid curiosity has our ears well and truly peaked for mid-2011. (And it better make the best Playboy Martini on Earth is all we can say…)
