No whines about Dandelyan at the Mondrian. –

After a thoroughly enjoyable and educational Nikka whiskey club tasting at Vinopolis I decided to wend my slightly wobbly way along the Southbank towards Waterloo. As I passed the newly refurbished Sea Containers House my eyes were drawn to a beautifully stylish bar basking in full view behind floor to ceiling windows.

It was still early, the bar looked enticing and realising that this was the Dandelyan bar of the new Mondrian Hotel I decided to drop in for a stiffener before my journey home.

I was warmly welcomed by the bar staff, took a seat at the sumptuous, green marble bar and perused the cocktail menu. This offers a range of signatures cocktails carefully crafted to make the most of seasonal and herbal ingredients. The menu kindly guides you through cocktails split into cereal, vegetal, mineral and floral categories – and handily recommends which drinks suit which time of the day.

Award winning mixologist Ryan Chetiyawardana, AKA Mr Lyan, was a welcoming figure behind the bar, and along with his very well informed team, gave me chapter and verse on the origins and thinking behind the drinks. It was quite a challenge to choose, so I plumped for the first cocktail on the menu ‘Puffed Grains and Chocolate. This combination of scotch, curaçao, malted grains and pink pepper was at once uplifting, comforting and oddly reminiscent of coco pops.

It was also very moreish, but I resisted the urge to order another and settled for something different for my second drink. After much deliberation and discussion I decided to see if I could lay to rest the memory of two flavours that have not been too kind to me over the years. The first was tequila, the second was pine, which in my experience was associated with cheap retsina and mighty hangovers on backpacking Greek island hopping holidays. To that end I opted for the Elderfir from the vegetal selection, a combination of Douglas fir, Tapatio tequila, Kamm and Sons (a delicious citrusy, bittersweet British aperitif), grapefruit and elderflower.

Served in a small bottle, with the sprig of fir floating in its midst, this was most enjoyable. The tequila undertones were ever present but the influence of the fir was actually quite festive and reminded me that Christmas is coming and this stretch of the Southbank would soon be full of seasonal stalls and sparkly lights.

I would have loved to explore the menu further but the lure of home meant my investigations would have to wait for another day… and there will be another day as the combination of stylish, dark decor, delicious drinks, knowledgeable friendly staff and a great view across the river towards St. Paul’s will surely make Dandelyan a firm favourite for the future.

Dandelyan
The Mondrian Hotel
20 Upper Ground
SE1 9PD

www.morganshotelgroup.com/mondrian/mondrian-london/eat-drink/Dandelyan

Tags: bar reviews, bars in london, Bars in SE1, Bars in the Southbank, Best Bars in London, Best Bars London, dandelyan bar, Mondrian Hotel

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Mayor of Scaredy Cat Town

To be honest we could almost give this bar the award just for its name. But if you’re looking for one of the best cool bars in London, what could be cooler than one that’s hidden behind a fridge door?

That’s where you’ll find the Mayor of Scaredy Cat Town. And here’s how to get yourself into our No.1 pick of the coolest, quirkiest bars in London.

First, give the guys and girls there a call to get yourself on the guest list. Then head to the Breakfast Club in Spitalfields. Once there say the magic words ‘I’m here to see the mayor’ to the staff.

They’ll lead you and your fellow bar lovers to the cool, white retro SMEG fridge. The door opens and behind it you’ll find stairs leading down to one of the very best of London’s new generations of speakeasies.

The trendy, slightly eccentric bar you’ll find down below – all exposed brickwork and eclectic adornments is a great place to hang out with the fun, friendly crowd. Cocktails are cutting edge, food is available to soak it all up and the music plays to late to keep the joint jumping. If this isn’t a cool bar, we don’t know what is.

Mayor of Scaredy Cat Town is at 

The Breakfast Club,
12 Artillery Lane,
Spitalfields,
London
E1 7LS

www.themayorofscaredycattown.com

Tags: bar reviews, Best Bars in E1, Best Bars in London, Best Bars London, best cool bars, best cool bars London, mayor of scaredy cat town

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It’s worth the trip to Putney to visit this outpost of outrageously juvenile fun, one of the best cool bars London.

Dedicated to a more carefree age – and we’re talking ages 5-15 not the 1960’s, The Toy Shop is an homage to happy childhood days, with a party atmosphere that even extends to party hats on Sunday lunchtimes!

Blindingly bright and brash, your senses will be assailed with turquoise and cream booths, brilliantly yellow chairs, and geometric wall patterns reminiscent of 80s video games.

Your senses will come under further attack, in a really, really, good way, by the terrific choice of themed cocktails that should bring back some happy memories – especially the massive sharer cocktails like Ralph’s Rocket and King of the Castle.

The food is pretty good too, with an emphasis on sharing. Check out The Toy Shop BBQ or Kung Fu Chicken.

There’s even a small private room for your very own party! Remember, don’t get too tired and emotional, throw any tantrums, or your toys out the pram in The Toy Shop. You don’t want to get barred from one of the best cool bars in London do you?

The Toy Shop – Best Cool Bars London
32 Putney High Street,
London
SW15 1SQ

www.thetoyshopbar.com

Tags: bar reviews, bars in london, Best Bars in London, Best Bars in West London, Best Bars London, Best Cool Bars in London, best cool bars London, Best quirky bars in London, cocktail bar, cocktails, cool bars in london, The Toy Shop

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As bars go, we often equate quirky with cool. But sometimes cool is just cool. Take Steve McQueen for example. There was just something about the guy that was effortlessly admirable. And a bar named and themed after him has just got to be cool too – even if it only by a process of Osmosis. In fact its so good McQueen makes it as one of the best cool bars London.

Thankfully in the case of McQueen, the bar, it’s not just cool by association. It’s cool by design. Not in a quirky, kitsch or eccentric way – but in a traditional masculine, laid back, slightly macho way. It’s all exposed brickwork again, dark wood, heavy leather chesterfield sofas and serious chandeliers.

The clientele is stylish and dressed for the occasion – whether they’re just supping carefully crafted cocktails in the lounge bar, eating in the highly acclaimed American cuisine restaurant or dancing in the boutique club with its emphasis on top quality DJs and sounds.

McQueen –  it makes you feel good just walking through the door.

McQueen Bar – Best Cool Bars London

55-61 Tabernacle Street,
Shoreditch,
EC2A 4AA

www.mcqueen-shoreditch.co.uk

Tags: bar reviews, Bars in East London, bars in london, bars in Shoreditch, Best Bars in London, best cool & quirky bars london, best cool bar london, best cool bars London, Best quirky bars in London, cool bars in london

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We couldn’t say it better than they say it themselves… “Café by day, bar by night, fun things to do.”

It’s a simple recipe, but hey, it works so well. And in gorgeously kitsch retro surroundings. So, hats off to Kristie Bishop and Coralie Sleap who first opened Drink, Shop Do as a pop-up shop in a beautiful Kings Cross bath house in 2009.

One of the coolest, most compelling and downright tempting aspects of this great meeting and social spot is that everything you see is for sale from the art on the walls to the furniture to the products dotted around and on the shelves.

There’s always something going on, by day a café meeting pace perfect for afternoon tea and crumpets, by night a cool bar, with delicious, freshly made cocktails and dancing ‘til late on Friday and Saturday nights..

And, if that’s not enough and you want to get creative every night upstairs at Drink, Shop Do you’ll find fun things to ‘DO’ – with events ranging from Lego Robots to Play with Clay.

So much more than a bar… so engaging… so cute…. so get yourself down there and enjoy the experience. Drink Shop Do – best cool bars London winner.

Drink Shop Do
9 Caledonian Road,

Kings Cross,

London,

N1 9DX

www.drinkshopdo.com

Tags: Bars in Kings Cross, bars in london, Bars London, best bars, Best Bars in London, best bars in North London, Best Bars London, best cool bars London, Drink Shop Do

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“And, has thou slain the Jabberwock?

Come to my arms, my beamish boy!

O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!’

He chortled in his joy”

Callooh Callay, named after a phrase from Lewis Carrol’s nonsense poem The Jabberwocky, has been making perfect sense since it opened back in 2008. So much so that it makes it on our list as one of the best cool bars in London.

Perhaps it’s because, while other bars rise and fall with the fickle tide of fashion, Callooh Callay still ploughs its own furrow. Perhaps it’s because quality never goes out of style – and a dedication to doing things right seems to be the first thing on the menu at Calloh Callay.

So, make your way to Shoreditch, find the innocuous entrance on a non-descript sidestreet and enter a world of cocktail make believe.

There are three bars to choose from, one reserved just for groups, one hidden behind a Narnia like wardrobe for a more intimate vibe and the main bar itself. But whichever you find yourself in, you’ll love the innovative, imaginative and inspired cocktails they produce (such as Chai Hard and Pea Ter Rabbit) and enjoy downing them in the superbly surreal surroundings.

A truly frabjous experience awaits you all at Calloo Callay..

Calloo Callay Bar 
65 Rivington Street
London
EC2A 3AY

www.calloohcallaybar.com

Tags: bar reviews, bars in Shoreditch, best bars east london, Best Bars in London, Best Bars London, best cool bars east london, best cool bars London, Calloo Callay Bar, cocktail bar, drinks, london best bars

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An inclusive, inspired, innovative institution on the London gay scene. Central Station is not loud, brash or in your face, but it is fun, friendly and forever ready to welcome everyone who just wants to have a good time in good surroundings. That’s why Central Station is one of our best gay bars London.

Tucked away behind Kings Cross Station you’ll find a bar and cabaret area on the ground floor featuring an eclectic mix of acts and events night after night from sultry singers to full blown drag queens and disco. There’s even a pool table if you feel the need to get sporty.

Upstairs there is a dining area with a tantalising roof terrace – the ideal place to while away a few hours with friends on a warm summer evening. The food is good, the drinks match it and while there may not be the most comprehensive cocktail menu you’ve ever seen, Central Station more than makes up for it with atmosphere.

There’s even accommodation available if you’re visiting and want a simple, stylish place to lay your head for the night.

Central Station 
37 Wharfdale Road
Kings Cross
London
N1 9SD

www.centralstation.co.uk

Tags: bar reviews, bars in london, Best Bars in London, best gay bars, best gay bars in london, central station

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Making your date feel comfortable is an essential pre-requisite of a romantic night out. Making them feel special also helps. Making them feel like they’re in an episode of a period English drama – all Georgian architecture, perfect proportions and delightful décor – might just seal the deal.

That’s what you get in the Cocktail Lounge at the Zetter Townhouse. The elegant, charming design is themed around ‘Aunt Wilhelmina’, an eccentric, well travelled and entirely imaginary character whose collection of artefacts – gathered from years of globe-trotting – adorns the room.

The cocktail bar itself is under the direction of a renowned mixologist, or as we like to call them, barman. The distinctive and decidedly delicious cocktails pay homage to an age of empire where wild and wonderful ‘medicinal’ ingredients were gathered from the four corners of the earth… so look forward to tinctures, infusions, cordials and bitters to add intrigue to your imbibing.

First class food is also available from award-winning chef Bruno Loubet.  And, as the Zetter Townhouse is also a truly bewitching boutique townhouse hotel, there are rooms if you want your romantic evening to extend to a ravishing night.

Booking a table in the bar is recommended so you can sit back, relax, enjoy the atmosphere, watch the well-heeled clientele and wait for the magic to work

Zetter Townhouse
49-50 St John’s Square
London

EC1V 4JJ

www.thezettertownhouse.com

Tags: bar reviews, Best Bars in London, Best Bars London, best romantic bar london, best romantic bars london, cocktails, Wine, Zetter Townhouse

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Some bars are just too full of themselves… too cool, or just too pretentious to have a really good time. This is not one of them. This is a bar where they know how to party – and that’s just the staff. But you know what? It’s those fun loving staff that really make a difference when you want to let your hair down. At the Adventure Bar in Covent garden the team are always ready to get up, get the crowd going and get juggling with the cocktails. Their enthusiasm is catching – and ensures the party starts early and keeps on going.

Brilliantly squeezed into a tunnel like basement location with trendy exposed brickwork, there’s always room for larger groups to reserve space at one end of the bar. There’s also room to dance to a mix of floor filling favourites plus all the cocktails and drinks you could want. The cocktails in particular get a real thumbs up from the happy clientele. Don’t forget the happy hour – which does exactly what it says on the box – gets everyone happy and here early in the evening. And from there things can only get better.

The Adventure Bar
20 Bedford Street‬
Covent Garden‬,
London
WC2E 9HP‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

www.adventurebar.co.uk/covent-garden-bar/

Tags: bar reviews, best bars, best bars in central london, Best Bars in London, Best Bars London, best party bar london, best party bars london

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One in a group of eight fun loving London bars, Grand Union Farringdon is one of the most central and lays claim to be the jewel in the crown of the chain. And who are we to disagree?

The place looks opulent and sophisticated. Grand gilded frames adorn the paintings that dot the walls. Heavy hanging, tasseled velvet curtains drape themselves decadently to the floor. Antique furniture and mirrors add to the overall effect. But don’t be fooled, or put off. This is no museum or venerable gentleman’s club. This is a fun time venue that really gets jumping on the weekend when the resident DJs start doing their thing.

The clientele gives a good vibe too. They’re just here to have fun, not to pose or preen… well, not all of them anyway. Instead they’re here to dive into some great drinks – from well-made cocktails to the great selection of beers and wine. And, if they choose to soak it up with some food, there’s a fulfilling choice of burgers, pizzas, ribs and snacks to tuck into.

Want some space for your party…? Try to book one of the sought after booths for the VIP touch.

Grand Union Farringdon 
55 Charterhouse St
London
EC1M 6HA

www.grandunionbars.com/venue/farringdon/

Tags: best bars east london, Best Bars in London, Best Bars London, best party bar london, best party bars, best party bars london, Grand union Farringdon

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