Serious booze up post Koffman

[countryboy]

Taking a friend to pierre koffman next friday and want to take him on a little tour of the west end's coolest bars.

we'll do salt yard, then onto crazy bear and then into soho via the french house and jrink.

do you guys have any favourite spots i should show him even if just for a beer?

Know anything about getting into gerry's?

anywhoooooo..... i'd be very grateful for some recommendations, cool places, particularly good matinis etc etc

[ermintrude]

How about Lab?

Depends when your going can get a bit load on weekend eves but great cocktails http://www.lab-townhouse.com/

[countryboy]

Oh yeah, I've been to lab.

Down the bottom of old compton street isn't it.

Had any particularly memorable cocktails?

[Matthew Grant]

As I just said on another thread, the Player is still one of the best cocktail bars I know in London. IMO much better than Lab which has had better days.

[countryboy]

Oooohhhh. Where's the player? tell me about it, sounds old school.

i last went to lab in about 2002. i remember a fight breaking out about the wearing of a hat. whatever!

have you been to kettners since the revamp? what's that like now?

[Matthew Grant]

The Player

Not been to Kettners, it got bad reports (actually I think they were awful if I remember correctly) after the revamp.

[Bapi]

have you been to kettners since the revamp? what's that like now?

We tried to have a drink there pre dinner at Le Gavroche ( I will finally do that write up this week!) Sadly it looked dead as in not a sole to be seen and it appeared a little austere inside.

[ajnicholls]

[cheeekymunkey]

I like Knights Bar above Simpsons on the Strand.

Perhaps not the place for a 'serious booze up', as it tends to be a bit quiet, but it's great for a relaxing drink - or three.

They make a good martini.

Edited October 29, 2009 by cheeekymunkey (log)

[countryboy]

Just checked out Knight's Bar. Sounds posh. Being slightly scruffy myself, I love to going to 'old school' places. Think I'll be dropping in here for a Martini. Like it vodka, with a twist myself. Preferably Belvedere.

I'm definitely going to check out the Player aswell Mr Grant. Favourite cocktail?

[Matthew Grant]

Difficult to choose but an Anejo Highball always hits the spot.

[countryboy]

Tequilla and soda? What is it?

[Matthew Grant]

Anejo Rum, Orange Curacao, Lime juice, Angostura bitters

Another one I often order is an Apple Jack Cocktail, its not on the menu at the moment but they will make anything you want. Calvados, Orange Curacao, Lime juice and Orange bitters.

By coincience they are next to each other in Dale Degroff's The Craft of the Cocktail.