This article is part of FT Globetrotter’s London
Photograph this: It’s 6am on Wednesday. Maybe on Thursday, or maybe even Tuesday. You don’t want to go home alone, but you are certainly ready to leave the office. A quiet drink, then, but where? Midweek, city drinks are often packed since boosting hybrid work – not ideal when you just want a beautiful glass of wine and a smooth roll. Maybe a convincing cocktail bar (but not too alive), where you can catch with a friend and in fact hear what they say – is it too much to ask by square miles? I did the research, and these are the rods to score.
Trade house
13 Well Court, London EC4M 9DN
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Good to: Whiskey lovers
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Not so good for: They after a pin; No beer in the draft
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Fyi: They also run master classes in rum, gin and whiskey
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Prices: By £ 6.49 for a single whiskey and £ 12.95 for a double
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Opening times: Monday -e Friday, 5 afternoon – 11am in the morning; Saturday, 3rd afternoon – 1 o’clock in the morning
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Website; Direction
Under the appropriate drinks that stand around the city’s rolls, the shopping house feels like another world. Below the steps in a hidden environment in the basement, this intimate and cozy environment reveals yourself while the sound of jazz or blues strikes you at the same time. Here a central drug is surrounded by enclaves and Alcoves, and old European maps and taxis animals are numerous. (If this sounds kitschy, believe me, is not.) Low lighting means it is very dark to read a book, but it is perfect to sunk one of the large leather sofas and hide from the world above for a few hours.
Merchant house takes her souls seriously; In total, the meeting has more than 1,000, including 600 whiskey. Some of its most coveted spirits include Morris, a difficult Australian whiskey, rare pappy van winkles that will turn you £ 25 to a double and, its most expensive, a 1996-one diamond diamond Rum Guyanese that runs for £ 345 for a double. However, there is no menu. Bartenders and Waitstaff wondering what you are in the mood and answer accordingly, whether they are gin cocktails, vodka or whatever your favorite soul. They make a middle manhattan, and their boulevard will die for it.
wine
47 Flota Street, London EC4Y 1bj
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Good to: Summer lovers and saved wine
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Not so good for: Leaving one evening; Wooden chairs can be better – stay a while and you will need a stretch
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Fyi: There is a traditional cork menu and small European -inspired tiles
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Prices: 7,70- £ 14.95 for wine from cup
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Opening times: Monday – Friday, noon -ora 10:00
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Website; Direction
El Vino has been a city institution for more than a century. What began as a wine dealer in Mark Lane nearby in 1879 took place for journalists at the time of Fleet Street. In 2015, she was sold to the Davy family and is now part of their small London -based chain, summer bars. However, she has retained her charm with her ancient ancient shop, signaling with gold leaves, depending on the light and the fancy rod.
El Vino’s drawing is, of course, wines from all over the world. French wines are a focus, from fresh glass whites (Picpoul de Pinet Belardent is a strong favorite) to Bordeaux bottles (such as the 2018 CHâteau Saint-ilillion with £ 110 bottles) and special- Sparkling ocation. It is all served amid a pleasant humor of conversation and jazz on a comfortable level to catch a friend or date without feeling calm. As well as the tape upstairs and a space downstairs, there is also a courtyard around the back that catches the evening sun in the right corner.
Demon, Wise & Partners
27a Throgton Street, London EC2N 2an
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Good to: Cocktails for adventurous types
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Not so good for: Hungry drinks before dinner; No food for food or grass.
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Fyi: You may not need a booking if you are there early
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Prices: 14 £ 18 per cocktail
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Opening times: Tuesday – Friday, 5 Afternoon – Good morning
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Website; Direction
This small cocktail bar in the basement near the bank is fresh and like a cave, with plush upholstery that is peach after a difficult day. The cocktails range from the classics to their conclusions – namely its two signatures mix the demon and the wise, but they do not stay the same. With a post -ribbon dating to show it, each recipe is done only 100 times before changing, challenging the banners ‘skills and customers’ tastes. It is a pleasant concept that can come with an air of pretentiousness, but not.
Demon (for whom the menu says “reflects our inner wickedness”) mistakes on the strangest side of mixology, with more pizzazz than most. In my visit, this meant a mixture of home -made corn liqueur, Tico Rosa Tequila, Soda Yuzu and Mexican Lime that was unique while remained balanced, a little sweet and refreshing.
Meanwhile, the wise is more of a twist in a classic (which “shows the maturity of years, wisdom and complexity”); When I was there, it was a sour whiskey. Bourbon smoked with caramel and vanilla allusions were combined with adriatico -baked amaretto, and bitter bananas and bergamot, topped with cheerful egg whites and lemon peel. The result was complex but quiet.
Dave’s Summer
2 St. James’s passage, London EC3a 5Dh
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Good to: Outdoor upholstery
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Not so good for: Groups with more than two people, as the seat is limited and it is quickly completed
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Fyi: A small tile menu is also available, focused on British seasonal products – often from Oxfordshire farm David Howden
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Prices: £ 7– £ 14 for cocktails; £ 18 for wine glasses
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Opening times: Monday – Thursday, 8 morning – no (coffee and pasta) and noon – 11:00; Friday, 11 morning – 5 afternoon
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Website; Direction
Dave’s Wine Bar is a part of the modernity of glass among some of London’s oldest buildings. Only behind one of the Aldgate business routes, at the end of an office building, is not the type of place where you simply stumble on the main roads, but it is really a treasure. Named after owner David Howden, CEO of Howden Insurance Group, is a place of Vibey City-Worker; The atmosphere feels sophisticated and elegant, but not small, while music is some higher levels than some of the other places on this list.
The bar itself is a focal point: a green concert design on top of granite. With her high upholstered chairs worn with upholstered, it is the perfect folly. For cocktails, try tequila rosé + punch, a favorite home for good reason: it is beautifully balanced, combining unexpected ingredients like Earl Gray, Rosé, Coconut Milk, Bergamot and Agave. A good selection of wines is available by Glass: by Chianti Classico Riserva from the Tuscoli and Zesty Save Sauvignon Blanc to Zelanda New Zealand. Fizz, like food, can be more local, with Gusbourne Blanc de Blancs of Kent also available as a single service, with £ £ a pop.
Mnm bar
141-142 Fenchurch Street, London EC3M 6BL
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Good to: A comfortable and quiet place that is really hidden
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Not so good for: Volume increases later in the evening
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Fyi: Yes, it’s inside a barbet
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Prices: Cocktails from £ 14.50
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Opening times: Tuesday, 4 in the afternoon – 11 afternoon; Wednesday – Friday, 5 afternoon – 11 am
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Website; Direction
If you are relying on Google Maps or CitymaPper to run you to MnM Bar, you may think that you cheated on when you run to a barbers on Fenchurch road. But you have really reached your destination. Inside the barbers and below the steps, past old photos and after a book stack that push you open as a door is MNM bar, a speakeasy previously known as Gobs.
After you have crossed the bookshelf, the bar inside is small, dark and industrial. Exposed concrete walls, warm Edison lamp lighting and long sofas can give you the impression of a water hole in New York or Chicago instead of underground London. Music, on a comfortable level of conversation, is contemporary and optimistic, allowing you to withdraw from the madness of the city above and enjoy a calm slope.
The cocktails are regulated by light to rich in character and aroma. One of the most popular, according to the bartender, is Picante, a beautiful interpretation of a spicy margarites with tequila agave, a citrus mix and a poblolan chilli liqueur. For those who love burning, look for extra spice. On the easiest side of the menu, Charlie Chaplin also comes recommended, balancing sweetness and tarty with fresh lime juice, apricot liqueur and sloe gin. For those who want a classic outside the menu, a full bar is also available.
Key tip: go early – noise levels rise as the night continues.
Where do you go for a quiet drink in the city? Tell us in the comments below. And follow @Ftglobetrotter on Instagram
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