The Elk Room (CLOSED)

Madrusan couldn’t build an ugly bar if he tried. Black drapes guard the entrance and open to reveal an illuminated bar girt by curtains that looks more like a stage than a drink station. In the midfield, it’s a broad room of elk busts, antiques and peacock plumage, where candles flicker and jazz floats up into the pitch roofed. Forget your Gatsby parties. This place is all glamour all the time. The menu is as short and sharp as it is next door: Champagne, and four-ingredient shake and stir drinks. No vodka. How about a Whisky Freezer? Scotch, lime and sugar is shaken, minted and served tall with soda over a perfect column of ice. They’re doing cheese and cured meats too. While we love getting barside next door (and you can still do so at the Elk), here you can get in your cups slumped in Chesterfield lounges – good news for big groups. You wouldn’t go for a full on sprawl or booze nap though. This ain’t that kind of juice joint.