Experimental Cocktail Club

Address: 13a  Gerrard St, London

   

A review from Lotus Martini’s International Correspondent, London

A friend of mine who recently went back to London to visit their family informs me of a great bar that they discovered. Now I’m not London’s biggest fan (I’ve given it a number of chances to seduce me; but I’ve always left disappointed). However, after hearing about the Experimental Cocktail Club I decide that I may need to head back and give it another go.

So when my International Correspondent is invited over to workshop a new play I ask them to go and review it on my behalf.

This is their review.

The potato-chip complexioned doorman sweeps the tourist rabble aside and my Angels and I step through the unmarked Chinatown door.

The narrow tri-levelled club is a squeeze, more Asian chic than London - translucent teapot lights in the dunny are just so Hara Juku. Still the faux-pressed and mirrored ceilings doesn't seem forced, and the keyboard inset to the bar upstairs works better than they had any reason to imagine when they dreamed it up.

The cocktail menu is rife with exotica such as Cuban cigar-infused buffalo trace bourbon and homemade smoked pineapple syrup. Being a renaissance man myself, I go for the cocktail of that ilk, consisting of aperol, Hendrick's gin, lemon juice, homemade rhubarb syrup, a pinch of Himalayan purple salt and Billecart champagne. There's a moment when I wonder if rhubarb really is a cocktail winner or are we just showing off that little bit too much? It's a cocktail bar. Modesty has no place.

Not pausing to trifle with such ephemera, Blonde Angel flings the list aside and insists on a classic martini. She gives the same treatment to the protesting waitress, and lo and behold it lives up to its billing. Similarly the gimletish Experience, a pleasing blend of bitter and snappy. But sadly not my cloying rhubarb concoction. My bad. As ever, go with your instincts on the big life questions.

It's not a groovy crowd and doesn't feel pickuppy until the fellow in the inadvisable jumper proceeds to chew off his moderately diverting neighbour's face. For central London it may not be expensive enough, though the cheeky service charge takes the edge off that. However, it does serve proper gin (none of your vodka-drinker's gin here) and Krug by the glass.

Suitably fortified, the Angels and I head back into the Soho night, to get devilish.

3.5 stars

See for yourself: http://experimentalcocktailclublondon.com/

The Victoria Room

Address: 235 Victoria St, Darlinghurst

Mad Men & Martini's

A month ago I was made aware that the Victoria Room was going to be hosting a Mad Men soiree to celebrate the introduction of its martini trolley. I was so excited that as soon as I found out I gather a number of friends and lock in the date. The night finally arrives and we head out. As I also had a reason to celebrate we all knew we where in for an excellent evening.

As I had previous commitments a few friends arrive early to secure a spot in the bar. I’m glad they did as when I arrive the place is full. Someone recently informed me that the Victoria Room felt like the love child of a 1920’s gentleman club mixed with a Hong Kong opium den (not that I have been to either… obviously) and I can see what they’re talking about.

Tonight though has a 1960’s theme and I feel like I've stepped back in time as most people are in glamorous 1960’s style dresses and suits including the bar staff. It is fabulous!! When two of my friends arrive they are instantly photographed for the press. Jealous!

There is a 1960's vintage dress for sale in the corner and one of my friends insists that I try it on. So I do. It fits me like a glove so I strut out from the change room as my friends gasp in delight. I buy it. I like it so much I get them to remove the tag so I can wear it for the rest of the night. I too get photographed.

I choose a classic martini for my first drink (dirty & stirred) and it is brilliant. I later discover that there's cocktails named after the characters in the show. As anyone who knows me well knows I’m Joan Holloway's biggest fan (for style anyway), so when the Gibson Martini is made in her honour. I think… I will be having that.

Atmosphere is fabulous as everyone was there in honour of Mad Man and Martini’s. But I do wonder what it would be like on a quieter night.... guess I will have to come back and see.

Martini rating: 1 – 5 scale

See for yourself: www.thevictoriaroom.com

Rock Bar, Bali

Address: Jl. Karang Mas Sejahtera Jimbaran, Bali

  

 

Bye bye Bali

After nearly 12 months of not having a holiday it was decided I needed a break. As I only have limited time at my disposal I head to Bali for a week.

My final day on the island arrives all too soon and as I have quite a number of hours between hotel check out and my flight, I spend the afternoon having a late seafood lunch in Jimbaran Bay before heading to Rock Bar.

Rock bar is located in the Ayana resort and a strict dress code applies; no board shorts or alcohol branded t-shirts allowed (excellent, as I prefer to never see another Bintang shirt again).

You head down numerous stairs, past the infinity pool, and board the inclinator to head down into what I would describe as my little piece of heaven. This open air bar is located on a side of a cliff 14 metres above the ocean. It offers Bali's most glamorous sunset.

I wanted to order a "Old fashion" as it's Don Draper's drink of choice on Mad Men, but I discover it's made with bourbon (yuk) so I have the Asian Martini instead, it's sweet and tasty... actually it reminds me of a melted lemon calipo. It's shortly followed by "Rock my world" which while certainly bright and tropical, my world remains firmly unrocked.

Overall, one could get used to this... watching a beautiful sunset, sand between the toes, listening to great beats, sounds of the ocean in the background, all with a cocktail in hand... Please don't make me go home.
 

Martini rating: 1 – 5 scale

See for yourself: www.ayanaresort.com/rockbarbali

Cafe Sydney

Address: 5th Floor, Customs House, 31 Alfred Street, Circular Quay

5 plus 1

A number of months ago I was taken out for lunch at a fabulous restaurant for my birthday by some lovely ladies. It was decided after a few cocktails that we needed to do this more often, and hence the Ladies Lunch club was created. It's a group of 5 who each take a turn to pick a place on the last Friday of each month (only truly fabulous locations allowed) and this month we head to Cafe Sydney.

As a number of people have found out about this club, we now have others wanting to join (however we don’t offer membership). After some serious discussion we decide that we would allow one special invitation per lunch on the basis that the guest would have to buy the first round of cocktails or a bottle of champagne. We actually thought that no one would accept this offer… but they do.

So 6 of us head to Cafe Sydney.

"But Lotus Martini, this is not a bar, it's restaurant" I hear you say. Well, actually you can just come here for drinks.

We arrive and are seated on the terrace which offers spectacular views of the harbour. The consensus of the group is to have a cocktail for our first round of drinks and as I feel like being a bit risqué I order the “Office Fling”…it’s as naughty as it sounds (especially for lunch).

You can’t go wrong with any cocktails here and with names like Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Appreciate Me and Janie Hendrix the beverages are nothing like you have ever had before.

Lunch comes to a close and it is time to leave (shame I have to work to fund my lifestyle). As I sit in the comforts of Cafe Sydney with cocktail in hand, I think to myself…this Ladies Lunch Club is fabulous!

Martini rating: 1 – 5 scale

See for yourself: www.cafesydney.com

Quay Bar

Address: Ground Floor, Customs House Building, 31 Alfred St, Sydney

After work bubbles anyone?

There was a perfect opportunity to catch-up on my work / study / cleaning when my after work plans were cancelled the other night. However, as I was leaving the office to head home early for a change I think "well…I should have been out tonight anyway, so any catch-up on work / study / cleaning would’ve had to wait to the weekend”, so I spin around on my heels and head to my friends desk and say “interested in an after work bubbles?”. They are. Excellent!

We head to Quay bar which is close to our office and while the location is very convenient, a downside is that as you arrive you instantly run into a large number of colleagues, which is fine if you like talking about work, after work… but I don't. So my friend and I sneak past everyone and find our spot tucked away in a corner.

This bar is great on beautiful summer evenings as it has an expansive outdoor area, set on the forecourt of Customs House, a little terrace underneath Cafe Sydney and a cosy indoor area. Also in the summer months you can enjoy live jazz.

As we sit with our bubbles we spot another one of our friends who comes over to join us, they inform me that there is a universally good looking guy who works here (apparently he appeals to all). So I keep my eye out. I never see him (obviously he doesn't appeal to everyone… well me anyway).

As I love outdoor areas, I enjoy coming to Quay bar… just need to find a way to ensure the whole office doesn’t come as well.

Martini rating: 1 – 5 scale

See for yourself: www.quaybar.com.au