As our contribution to London Cocktail Week (Oct 7th 13th), the ELLE team valiantly completed the first #ELLECocktailTrail around Fitzrovia, tasting bespoke London Cocktail Week cocktails http://www.diffordsguide.com/london-cocktail-week.
Here's what we found...
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Bar: Berners Tavern
Cocktail: Elgin Ale. Served in a cut glass coupé, a velvety smooth, golden rum concoction with bite.
Ambience: 8/10
Service: 9/10
Music: Background – Gatsby style jazz
Verdict: A gilded, candlelit space with high ceilings and walls bedecked with ornate, gold-framed pictures. Smart waiters hover, ready to dispense elegantly presented cocktails on polished, silver trays.
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Berners Tavern's Elgin Ale cocktail.
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Bar: The London Cocktail Club
Cocktail: Blossom Tonic - a glorified G&T, with a gimmicky pegged-on bag of maraschino cherry jelly. Abandoned for a prosecco, which was served warm.
Ambience: 7/10
Service: 7/10
Music: Retro
Verdict: A lively, narrow basement bar buzzing with the chatter of groups of friends. Refreshingly relaxed.
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Bar: Reverend JW Simpson's
Drink: Vicar's Medley. A Belvedere-based vodka martini with a selection of earthy mix-your-own tinctures served in mismatched cut glass and silver goblets.
Ambiance: 7/10
Service: 9/10
Music: Blues & Southern twang
Verdict: A laid-back boozer serving classic cocktails with a Southern twist
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At Reverend JW Simpson's we were given mixers for their Vicar's Medley cocktail.
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At Reverend JW Simpson's drinks were served in mismatched cut glass and silver goblets.
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Bar: Oskar's Bar at Dabbous
Cocktail: The Reincarnation of Anthony Edwards, with Gin, white wine, lemon, lime, honey and salt.
Usual Price: £9.50
Ambience: 6/10
Service: 7/10
Music: Uptempo bar/lounge
Verdict: Swanky scene to start a night out
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Bar: The Lucky Pig
Drink: Wee Dram, long drink of Drambuie, lemon, orange, and maple syrup. New Orleans Hurricane, long drink of Bacardi rum, galliano, passionfruit, orange and lemon.
Usual Price: £9.50
Ambience: 8/10
Service: 9/10
Music: Jazz and swing
Verdict: An easy go-to speakeasy with a local vibe and friendly barstaff
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A magician entertained team ELLE at The Lucky Pig.
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Drinks at The Lucky Pig consisted of 'Wee Dram', long drink of Drambuie, lemon, orange, and maple syrup and 'New Orleans Hurricane', long drink of Bacardi rum, galliano, passionfruit, orange and lemon.
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Bar: Bourne & Hollingsworth
Cocktail: Manhattan, dry with a twist
Usual Price: £9
Ambience: 9/10
Service: 9/10
Music: An eclectic mix of Dixie, jazz, blues
Verdict: A cosy joint with a buzzy, joyful vibe
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Bourne & Hollingsworth is a cosy joint with a buzzy, joyful vibe.
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If you want to do the same over the weekend, click on the link for details of how to get a wristband which entitles you to the special £4 cocktail in all 140 or more participating bars. http://www.diffordsguide.com/london-cocktail-week.