GOING OUT
EARLY 2012 openings are showing plenty of promise. Take Galante on South Ken’s Sloane Avenue. After a beefy expansion, Gaucho is opening its first cocktail bar. Inspired by Argentina’s gilded era, staff at the Art Deco-inspired Galante don traditional white jackets or chic lamé dresses to serve guests while the drinks are mostly classic South American cocktails like the El Pato (gin, dry vermouth, sweet vermouth, Campari, Cointreau and a dash of Kirsch) or the classic Clarito (gin and dry vermouth in a sugar-rimmed martini glass with a twist).
Nearby on Pont Street, Mark Hix has launched his newest venture within the new Belgraves Thompson Hotel. The lounge and open plan Mark’s Bar above the restaurant pays homage to its successful Soho sister and there’s a swanky cigar garden on the way too. Try the masterful Temperley Tea (cider brandy, chilled peppermint tea, apple syrup and lime). Further east, the London Cocktail Club has opened their newest installation on New Oxford Street in Bloomsbury. Where the original gave gin pride of place, the new LCC will favour rum and features a Royal Navy theme complete with jolly-roger print wallpapers and cocktails inspired by days of sailing the ocean blue, such as the 18th century Black Strap (Muscovado, vanilla, lime and liquorice) or the House Grog (three rums, port, sherry, gin and arrack).
Nearby in Fitzrovia, Dabbous has just opened to much acclaim, with former Cuckoo Clubber Oskar Kinberg manning the mixology in the basement bar, while Michelin-starred Ollie Dabbous tends to the food. The design scheme blends the industrial with the organic (brick and copper piping offset by rustic candles and natural woods) as well as moreish classic cocktails and signature drinks like Mellow Yellow (tequila, Cointreau, house-made cigar syrup and a whisky finish). Meanwhile, McQueen in Shoreditch has also relaunched with the expanded space boasting state of-the-art lighting and sound. Innerplace will be hosting the bar at Purple Bar at Sanderson every Thursday this month. For more info about this and other advantages to joining innerplace, go to www.innerplace.co.uk.