The Crackberry Times » Soho

Amuse Bouche

crackberry — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 16:23:49 +0000

Amuse Bouche is the little black dress of drinking, and the Soho site is a recent expansion of the champagne bar format from their Parson’s Green outpost. The place is date-tastic, though just as familiar clientele are sophisticated girls nights out; boys looking for the aforementioned patrons or in touch with their metrosexual side shouldn’t be put off. Best of all, drinks here are really very reasonable, with the house bottle starting at just £22, and 2-for-1 bellinis all night Mondays and Tuesdays.

21-22 Poland Street, Soho, W1F 8QG. Tel: 020 7287 1661. Web: www.abcb.co.uk

Lab

crackberry — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 15:35:14 +0000

Shining out from the amorphous mass of Soho bars is Lab. The resident bartenders here really know their stuff, and relish the challenge of creating novel concoctions. Whether you choose to test their mettle or explore the outer reaches of the extensive menu, either way you are in safe hands. Quality is evident from the use of fresh fruit over purees, yet drinks are still reasonable at c.£6-8. Best visited on school nights, Lab’s only downside is that it can get busy and claustrophobic on weekends.

12 Old Compton Street, London W1D 4TQ. Tel: 020 7437 7820. Website: www.lab-townhouse.com

The Portrait Bar – National Portrait Gallery

crackberry — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 15:33:26 +0000

An understated gem for after work drinks. Situated at the top of the National Portrait Gallery and looking out over Trafalgar Square and down towards the Houses of Parliament, you will find few places in London that can match this view. As you might expect the bar itself is restrained and reasonable. Do take a brief look at exhibits if you have time; currently the Photographic Portrait Prize is the must see attraction.

Sat-Weds til 5pm; Thu-Fri til 8:30pm. St Martin’s Place, London WC2H 0HE. Tel: 020 7306 0055, website:www.npg.org.uk

The Icon Room

crackberry — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 14:33:22 +0000

Viva Las Vegas: The Casino at the Empire is one of the largest in London, with all the bright lights and showmanship that you’d expect from the Strip in Nevada, but with views over the West End, rather than miles of sand. Venture inside and you’ll find the jewel in the crown – The Icon Room – a gorgeous bar with a cocktail list to match. Plush fabrics, candles and enormous mirrors give the room an elegant baroque-themed feel and the bar attracts a diverse crowd from all walks of life.

5-6 Leicester Street, Leicester Square, WC2H 7NA. Tel: 0203 014 1000. Web: www.thecasinolsq.com

Bar Chocolate

crackberry — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 12:38:28 +0000

If New Year’s blues have kicked in and only lashings of chocolate will save you, this eponymous bar is a great sanctuary. Whilst there are plenty of cocoa free beverages, this is an ideal place to sate a craving of the brown stuff – their hot chocolate is divine and the themed cocktails are similarly Moorish. An open-plan, relaxed rendezvous, this bar has no room for pretentious types – here it is all about the casual continental café culture – media sorts engaging in intellectual discussions, and old friends catching up after extended separations. The décor is simple, but warm and homely, perfect for a quiet coffee or a late night tipple. For comfort drinking – chocolate or otherwise – this is the place…

26-27 D’Arblay Street, W1F 8EP. Tel: 0207 287 2823.