Danger of Death, Hoxton: 17/20

Location: 202 Brick Lane, go into Full Stop Cafe and stairs are on the right hand side

Website: www.dangerlondon.com

Visit: Friday evening

To Notes: Open 6pm to 1am Wed to Sat and part of the Rushmore group so members only. Do try calling ahead though…

Scores

Ambiance 3/5

Design 5/5

Drinks 4/5

Staff 5/5

Extra LBC star: Not really…

First of all I should state that I went with a member and we called ahead but a little bit of charm may get you in if they are not busy. Which they were not.

So I love the interior, low ceilings, intimate little leather booths, large sixties charges that wrap you up round low tables – a mix of a little bit 30’s speak easy and a little bit 60’s mad men. The music was discreet but I remember thinking “cool” and the only down side is the rather strange toilet set up: one toilet but with urinals at the end. This means the whole place smells (the incense had gone out) and yet only one person can use it at a time, or two (male) friends!

 

The menu was well organised and chaptered into spirits for me it was too long – always quality over quantity. The bar man – Tamas – was more than happy to help us chose and made drinks proficiently and quickly with much cheek and charm. I wish I could tell you what I had, the second one was a red something…and the first one is defying my memory.

I would like like to return, but this is part of the Rushmore Group and people pay good money to be members so I will not hold my breath over an invitation…

Presenting...The London Cocktail Club venues

The London Cocktail Club, perhaps you've been? They have "locations" at Covent Garden (6-7 Great Newport Street) Goodge Street (no 61) and New Oxford Street (224 Shaftsbury Ave).

I have been to two of these and both were great, as well as distinctly different. 

The first at New Oxford Street (and run by my friend Sarah) was buzzing even by 6.30pm. They also have a fabulous cocktail hour but with the caveat of having to have the same cocktail on the 2-4-1 we chose to go "a la carte" and I started with the Bacon Martini aka heaven in a glass. There were others but this was the most memorable. And did I mention the mugs of (free) tasty pop corn to accompany your drink?!

The design of the bar means that there is privacy to be had, with pillars to peer round and various bunkers to be booked, even finding the toilets is a challenge for the evening. The staff are friendly and more than happy to accomodate the roudy birthday groups with a smile.

Somewhat like the Covent Garden Cocktail Club that is downstairs and members only though this is bookable and free to join. Don't let the huge mirrors on the walls decieve you, this place is not big so hold onto your cocktail if standing near the bar. I am not sure that the skills behind the bar are the same standard as at New Oxford Street but the barmen are friendly, clearly enjoying themselves and fully behind the mid 90's disco soundtrack they were rocking on a Saturday night - total crowd pleaser. 

These places are a great antitode to the much maligned ECC (that I have not been to as risk of a bad evening). They are fun, unpretentious, skilled-at-cocktails bars where you will not leave without a smile on your face. Winner.