Nightlife
Originally published on Monday, 3rd November 2008
Bar Fly: Ale Star Lanes
Who is this mysterious, debonair professional alcoholic they call the Bar Fly? Who is this hero of the libation revolution? This undercover gin-lover, drinking his way from bar to bar, club to club, gutter to gutter, just to keep you UJ readers in the know? He is a shadow, a secret, an unknown champion of the bar-rumour. That or a raging alcoholic. Let's see what gossip he's dug up this week.
All Aboard the Ale Train
If, like me, you still have a hard time separating ‘ale’ from images of plump tweed-wearing gents or tired Northern farmers, then this might come as a bit of a surprise. The Betjeman Arms – that quaffable border to Anglo-European cross-contamination, sorry: ‘exchange’ – is hosting its inaugural Ale Festival this weekend. Morning commute to Paris, lunch at that delightful creperie you love so, perhaps a little shopping, the evening train home, and 20 quirky, curious ales waiting eagerly for you to disembark? Vive la rev-ale-ution! (Their ‘ale-way’ pun is worse, by the way.)
Bowl Me Over. Well, East.
Finally, and it’s about bloody time. There were the unconfirmed rumours. Then the confirmed press hype. And then the boarding around the venue on Brick Lane, the endless waiting, and, recently, the unveiled exterior. But still nary a stirring within. Until now. Yes, that’s right, folks: All Star Lanes has finally landed East. It officially opens next Thursday (Nov 13), but we fearless Junkies are sneaking in before that disguised as ‘real’ journalists. I promise to let you know how she looks. If you behave.
All Star Lanes: The Old Truman Brewery, 87 Brick La, E1 6QR
Vodka Bubbles.
Here's one that turned up at a recent dinner party. Everyone knows that vodka goes with pretty much anything you throw at it - tonic, lemonade, Coke - so it came as a bit of a surprise to stumble upon Schweppes Russchian, which, I must say, really made my host's vodka selection sing. According to the folks over at Schweppes, this subtle and aromatic little mixer "draws out the unique and delicate taste profiles of different brands and blends." And you know what? They're bang on. Choose your weapon (we were touring vodkas from Poland through to Russia that night), add your Russchian, and a flavour twist if you fancy a little flurry, and hey presto! Instant cocktail magic. Here's a deceptively simple recipe from top mixologist Ben Reed that proves my point precisely.
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For those of you that would still prefer a professional to make your drink, you can order your Schweppes Russchian cocktail at selected bars in and around town, including The Lonsdale.
Yours, bowling ball in one hand, vodka gimlet in the other,
The Bar Fly