If my granny owned a bar, I would imagine it to be something like Mr Fogg’s Gin Parlour, since this extravagant West End cocktail salon is as vintage as they come. Dressed with embroidered chairs, chaise longues and other curiosities straight out of the nineteenth century, the Parlour is guaranteed to provide a sure-fire thrill to tourists from across the pond visiting London and expecting something out of a period drama.
It was busy when I visited, which doesn’t excuse the mardy service, but may explain why the food took so long to arrive. Bar snacks were a little confused, with padron peppers and salami sticks an exotic sight in such a deliberately old-fashioned setting. Portions were measly, too, so I’d suggest saving your money for drinks, which were the real joy at this bar.
The menu is an actual encyclopaedia of gin from which you can choose from around 300 varieties and have your perfect tipple custom made. The cocktails are incredible, as well as pretty unique – homemade Campari cordial isn’t something you see on every drinks menu – but they certainly don’t come cheap (I’m talking an astonishing £15 for a drink called Oscar’s Wild Raspberries).
For gin fanatics happy to splash the cash, this bar – sorry, parlour – is a must-visit place. And grannies would be very welcome, too.