Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Book Club
The Book Club offers up a lively mix of art exhibitions, club nights,
poetry slams, thinking, and drinking. It's a different yet winning combination, and
judging by the crowds that spill out into the street most nights, one that the locals
have taken to with open arms.
100 Leonard St., EC2.
&
020/7684-8618.
www.wearetbc.com.
Tube: Old St./Train: Shoreditch High St.
Bourne & Hollingsworth
Blink and you could easily miss this cupboard-sized
space hidden under a Fitzrovia newsagent. If you do manage to find the entrance, you
could be forgiven for thinking you're the first to have managed the feat since the
1940s—you're greeted by a scene reminiscent of black-and-white movies. From the
floral wallpaper to the china teacups for your cocktail, this is quite unlike any other
bar in London.
28 Rathbone Place, W1.
&
020/7636-8228.
www.bourneandhollingsworth.com.
Tube: Tottenham Court Rd.
Cottons
As you'd expect in any Caribbean bar worth its salt, rum is the order of
the day at Cottons. With over 100 different varieties, from all over the world, it might
take several attempts to make a dent in their selection—but luckily this welcoming
and lively basement bar is well worth repeat visits. The associated restaurant also
provides a fresh and modern take on Jamaican cuisine, and is the perfect accompani-
ment to the signature Cottons Punch. Open every day noon until 2am.
70 Exmouth
Market, EC1.
&
020/7833-3332.
www.cottons-restaurant.co.uk. Tube: Farringdon.
Dream Bags Jaguar Shoes
What to do with the commercial signs from two
long-gone shops? If you're in Shoreditch then the best bet is just to turn it into the
name of your cool new bar-club, which also doubles as a cafe and “gallery” filled with
Shoreditch hipsters. Dreambags has been packing them in for over 5 years now, and
has recently been joined by a sister bar the
Old Shoreditch Station,
directly across
the road. Open every day from noon to 1am.
32-36 Kingsland Rd., E2.
&
020/7729-5830.
www.jaguarshoes.com. Tube: Old St./Train: Hoxton.
Gordon's Wine Bar
Gordon's can lay claim to being one of London's oldest
and, in the eyes of those who have fallen for its charms, most unique wine bars.
Descend the stairs into the bar's grotto-like basement and if you're lucky enough to
find yourself a table, settle in for an evening of wine, sherry, and cheese. The service
isn't always impeccable, but you can't fault the atmosphere, hence the eclectic mix
of office workers, students, and artistic sorts who pack it out most nights.
47 Villiers St.,
WC2.
&
020/7930-1408.
www.gordonswinebar.com. Tube: Charing Cross or Embankment.
Ice Bar
A novelty, yes, but London's only bar constructed entirely from imported
Swedish ice is still worth checking out. For obvious reasons the temperature is always
kept at a chilly 5°F (-15°C) year-round, so you'll want to make sure you wrap up tight
in the silver cape and hood they provide. It's open Monday to Wednesday 3:30 to
11:45pm, Thursday 3:30pm to 12:30am, Friday 1:15pm to 1:15am, Saturday 11am
to 1:15am, and Sunday 2 to 11:45pm.
31-33 Heddon St., W1.
&
020/7478-8910.
www.below
zerolondon.com. Admission Mon-Wed and Sun £12; Thurs-Sat £15. Tube: Oxford Circus.
Loungelover
Expensive, garish, but also ever popular, Loungelover is adjacent to and
run by the same people as the equally colorful restaurant
Les Trois Garcons
(p. 143).
It's a warren of rooms, each with its own identity; the effect has been compared to a walk
through a film set. The elegant cocktails are among the most original creations in Lon-
don, often with quirky names. Food is available on tapas-like platters. Even if you're only
stopping in for a drink, make a reservation because space is limited. It's open Monday to
Thursday and Sunday 6pm to midnight, Friday 5:30pm to 1am, and Saturday 6pm to
1am.
1 Whitby St., E1.
&
020/7012-1234.
Tube: Old St./Train: Shoreditch High St.
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