For this year's London Cocktail Week (Oct 7th – 13th), the ELLE team offered their services (and livers), to complete an #ELLECocktailTrail around East London.
Stopping off at five bars to taste bespoke cocktails, specially made for London Cocktail Week, each team member had a score sheet where the bar was rated on their ambience, service, and - of course - their drink.
Here's what we found…
Cocktail: Johnny Appleseed. Opt for the cocktail rather than dessert. The JA is served in a Johnny Walker glass, with a healthy portion of ice, garnished with apple pieces and a small portion of tree bark. Sweet and slightly gritty from the apple purée, thumbs up.
Ambience: 7/10
Service: 8/10
Music: chilled house
Verdict: A modern and welcoming bar, with comfortable furniture (additional points). Music level is pitch perfect, so you can enjoy the company of your friends without having to yell.
154 Shoreditch High St, E1 6HD
Cocktail: Colonel Mustard. Refreshing Gin cocktail with a kick, but surprisingly easy to drink.
Ambience: 9/10
Service: 10/10
Verdict: This may be our new favourite spot. Quirky and specialising in all things retro (look out for the toy cars attached to the ceiling, or a 1970's hairdryer converted into a light). This small gem is tucked away, and is hard to find but worth the treasure hunt.
98 Curtain Rd, EC2A 3AF
Cocktail: Frozen Margarita. Needs no explanation.
Ambience: 7/10
Service: 8/10
Verdict: With lounge music and dim lights, this is great spot for an end of night drink. Bringing an element of downtown LA, these drinks were made for drinking (no fussy garnishes and quick service); this bar knows exactly what you want.
54-56 Great Eastern St, EC2A 3QR
Cocktail: Old Street Lemonade. True to the name this is a fresh, but sharp drink.
Ambience: 6/10
Service: 9/10
Verdict: Attentive staff are eager to refill a complimentary bowl of fresh popcorn (snack points!). With a soundtrack of vintage hip-hop and RnB, this would be a great spot for a party with the large accommodating tables.
Great Eastern St, 78 EC2A 3JL
Cocktail: EC1. Named after the postcode, the EC1 is fruity concoction that keeps you guessing at the ingredients.
Ambience: 6/10 (more of a Friday night/weekend spot)
Service: 9/10
Verdict: True to the location, this is a bar. So no waiters here. With a great rooftop area, complete with a fire pit and heated-lamps, this is a year-round spot (it is about to redo the rooftop for winter - and lose the summery, Miami-style palm trees). Downstairs, surrounded by dark sofas and mirrored ceilings, this spot caters for big nights out.
Singer St, EC1V 9DD
And for one final stop...
Cocktail: Tia Espresso Martini. A new twist on one of our favourite pick-me-ups, perfection.
Ambience: 9/10 (Gemma Cairney throws a good party at the #TMDarkRoom)
Service: 8/10
Verdict: This is our kind of cocktail party: delicious cocktails, WAH Nails manicures, TONI&GUY hair styling and party vibes!
Dray Walk Gallery, Old Truman Brewery, Dray Walk off Brick Lane, London E1 6QL
Want to be part of our gang? Become an #ELLEinsider to join us on exclusive nights out, like the #ELLEcocktailtrail
Thank you to Addison Lee, and all the bars who participated this year.
Addison Lee have a special fleet of #LCW14 cars with a special palate cleanser mini cocktail kit courtesy of East London Liquor Company #1FORTHEROAD; #LCW14
To be in with a chance of winning complimentary rides and the opportunity to try the palate cleansers, tweet the name of your favourite cocktail to @AddisonLeeCabs using the hashtags #LCW2014 and #1ForTheRoad. Alternatively, if you want to book an Addison Lee at the touch of a button, download the all new booking app avail
Bella Hadid Sends Birthday Love to Sister Gigi
Taylor And Gigi Have Been Double Dating
Leo Woodall Will Play Bridget Jones’ Boyfriend
The Power Of Partying In Your 50s
