And just like that, the summer that never really started is over. We'll have to pack in panoramic rooftop lounging but only if it means hunkering down in these cosy, low-lit interiors. Here's seven new openings and old favourites to make the transition more bearable.
NEW OPENINGS
nearest station: piccadilly circus
best for: romantic date night
From the duo behind kricket, a personal fave for modern indian small plates, SOMA is a sleek, minimalist underground bar barely alluded to from street level, giving you a smug sense that you've stumbled across an exclusive hangout in the very heart of london. Head down the black stairway and peel back the unmarked door to reveal a statement steel bar aglow with low-hung moon lights overhead, wrapped in mottled midnight blue walls. Given the bar is named after the hindu god of the moon, this now makes a lot more sense than just style. The cocktail list is short and sweet, reimagining the classics with indian accents. The leaf is their take on a gimlet, with fragrant notes of curry leaf. Margarita lovers need to try the gooseberry chaat.
For a new opening relying on walk-ins, we were shocked by the atmosphere of this basement find. With bar-top seating at the centre, stools lining one wall and private areas camouflaged behind ink blue curtains, the seemingly small space fits everyone in comfortably without feeling on top of each other.
SOMA stays open until 3am, aided by a sexy playlist; a welcome reminder of a world pre-corona where you could stay in a bar past 11pm.
nearest tube: oxford circus
best for: date night, girls night
New cuban bar and restaurant la rampa has come to liven up the otherwise through-road feels of market place, just off oxford street. Walk in through the bright fringe-umbrella'd front terrace, enjoy live music at the bar or take yourself further in to 50's havana for the restaurant. The dark wooden screens, the rattan seating, deep reds and low lighting; all work to bring an unexpected intimacy to the large space while natural light trickles through dangling plants from a roof window at the very back of the room.
The cocktails are elegant and very boozy and celebrate cuban rum, arriving in wafer-thin glassware. Each of the cuban classics we tried we loved; the cleopatra, el presidente and hotel nacionale, or for a zestier taste the watermelon daquiri (shaken not frozen, ever). The kitchen focuses on small plates made for sharing, think tacos, ceviche, fried chicken and their take on cuban street food favourites; the sandwich cubano filled with crispy pork, raclette cheese and gherkins and the frita cubana burger which marries together beef patty, straw potatoes (aka string fries) and chilli con carne.
nearest station: queen’s road peckham
best for: intimate date night
Colourful, creative, cultured. Just some of the things that spring to mind when we hear peckham mentioned. Glamorous is not usually one of them. But since the south african-inspired restaurant kudu opened up their cosy cocktail bar under the arches of queen’s road station that’s all that comes to mind. Beautiful deep tones with gold accents and low lighting, the bar is a lot smaller than most so it’s not the place for your big 30th but perfect for hushed catch-ups and dates.
nearest tube: paddington
best for: groups
Pergola have transformed their food court into an oktoberfest beer hall for the whole of october, complete with steinfuls of beer, bavarian bites with plenty of vegan alternatives and not holding back on 'gemütlichkeit' or that 'feeling of warmth, friendliness and good cheer'. Head over for bottomless brunches, best dressed dachshund competition and live music singalongs curtesy of the oom-pah band.
nearest station: king's cross
best for: romantic dates and catch-ups
As if we need another reason to fall in love with king's cross, the st pancras renaissance hotel is celebrating its tenth birthday in style with a complete redesign. It is set to reopen this month with really low-key decor, inspired by the hotel’s grand staircase and the original 19th century ticket hall. Pop in for a drink on the expansive 22m-long bar and choose from a large list of cocktails which pay homage to the victorian era, and with a closing time of 1am on weekends, it is another perfect hotspot for a night cap.
OLD FAVES
nearest station: tottenham court road
best for: girls nights, afternoon tea
Branching off the iconic dalloway terrace, the coral room lets us into the glamour of the roaring 20’s, featuring plush velvets, glass scalloped chandeliers and vibrant orangey-pinky-reddish (coral?) walls.
nearest station: bank
best for: lively date nights, afters, festive drinks
If in doubt, head to the Ned. It's our trusty go-to when we're not ready to let the night go. With six restaurants and bars in the main hall, live music til the early hours, beautiful cocktails, fabulous high ceilings, glossy green marble and a warm, buzzy vibe every time we've visited, need we say more...
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