I am writing this with an expression of 'huh?' still on my face from my visit here - not because of the bar itself, but because of how empty it was on a Thursday night!
It has a lot of the hallmarks of a standard City-esque cocktail bar - leather seats, sexy low lighting and a happy hour deal for post-work drinkies - but just without all the people. As in, quiet enough that I started to wonder if we'd missed some important event or zombies had invaded London. Either way it actually suited us just fine. In fact shhh, maybe I shouldn't tell too many people about it... ok maybe just you guys.
We wanted some reunion drinks after a group holiday last year so my mate looked into booking an area somewhere for 15 people. Instant 'no problem' reply from Neo versus arsey 'minimum spend' email from the other option. No-brainer really!
Perhaps it's the fact that it's a bit hidden away down at basement level, so you have to know it's there. There were a few other groups/couples inside when we arrived early evening but after 9ish it was just us. Happy hour is two for one on the same cocktail until 7.30pm, or (as we spotted after a couple of passionfruit mojitos) also two bottles of prosecco for £35. I managed to get over my irrational fear of flying corks by popping open about six bottles during the evening whilst practicing not wincing at the same time (woo!).
It soon became clear people needed something to soak up the bubbles so various pizzas, chips and ciabatta breads were ordered - all pretty standard fare (aside from the scandal of someone double-dipping the ketchup into the mayo which caused a stir). The drinks menu isn't anything novel either but a good amount of choice. Meanwhile service was friendly and competent, and though we ordered and paid at the bar they were happy to deliver things to the table.
So the menu isn't going to change your life, the decor won't hold your attention for very long and you won't be raving about the chef. BUT it's a cool spot for drinks, with a nice mix of high tables in the centre and lower tables around the edge, and of all the ways to stand out from a crowd of similar places - it's surprisingly easy to get an area for a group. Hopefully you'll get to revel in how undiscovered it is too! read more