Happiness Forgets Bar Review

Cocktails come in many alluring guises. It can be sophisticated and elegant, quirky and experimental or just lively and good fun. If Happiness Forgets was a person, they'd be fun Bobby.

The Alchemist Cocktail Bar Review

One night a while ago I was already in my pyjamas probably watching videos of funny cats and dogs on my phone when I was then sent a photo from my friend of a bartender making a drink with the message "we have to go here - dry ice everywhere!". "Here" was The Alchemist. 

Once Upon A Wigwam Queen of Hoxton Cocktail Bar Review

So me and my friend were recently reminiscing about the time we went glamping a few years ago. It was a huge 2 bedroom tent, with a 4-poster bed, roll top bath (bloody better than my own bathroom at the time), fairy lights, flickering candles, Cath Kidston inspired decor and a log burner. We stayed there because we got a deal which was available during November and that = cold. Despite the FREEZING temperature, there was something really nice about being huddled in a tent. And that's kind of what it felt like when I recently went to Once Upon a Wigwam atop the Queen of Hoxton rooftop.

Wahaca Day of the Dead Festival Review

It might just be me but I think as a country we've recently become a lot more interested in Mexico. Of course I am because I'm going this week (which I may have mentioned several thousand times) but actually I've seen a lot more tourism advertising Mexico as a country to visit, there was the Tequila & Mezcal festival I went to recently in Spitalfield markets and now the Wahaca Day of the Dead festival at the Tobacco Dock in Wapping.

The Gingerline Secret Dining Review

We all have a friend who does this - 

Friend "Oooh, I've got a REALLY good piece of gossip"

Me/you "What is it?"

(So-called) friend "Aaaah, I shouldn't really say anything actually. Ignore me"

And yes you want to punch them in the face for bringing up something you weren't even bothered about. Unfortunately I am being that so-called friend when it comes to talking about the Gingerline.

Lounge Bohemia Cocktail Bar Review

Did you all enjoy London Cocktail week this year? Unfortunately I was out of the country for work to enjoy all the activities so when I came back, I decided I better make up for it by going somewhere totally awesome like Lounge Bohemia. 

The Mayor of Scaredy Cat Town Cocktail Bar Review

As with all English people, I respect the queue. The queue reduces the likelihood of glares and (at the very least) violence by 46%*. However I'm not fond of a "hype queue" - a queue commonly formed around hipster / latest hype venues. This is why I still haven't been to Meat Liquor and The Breakfast Club. This was also the case for The Mayor of Scaredy Cat Town but as we were around the area Saturday afternoon, I was finally able to step through the SMEG fridge.

Tequila & Mezcal Festival Review

I recently suggested to the bf that we should go to the Tequila & Mezcal fest. Hardly an innocuous statement yet there are a few variables that may change the context. I really dislike Tequila. It just doesn't make me happy. It makes me deeply unhappy. The smell, the taste...I feel ill thinking about it now.

Cocktails at the Sky Garden London

Summer in London hasn't been awful but it hasn't been great either. It's just one of those meh years where we get a few great days, some really awful days and mediocre in between. What's been really exasperating is that we've had a lot of those mix of weathers in one day which is exactly what happened the day I went to the Sky Garden. 

Cocktails at Bourne & Hollingsworth Building

It's a bit of an old person thing to say (hey I'm comfortable with my age...now) but I love a good conservatory. It's nice to be warm and feel the sun on your face without the downside of bumblebees and insects. The B&H Buildings is kind of like a grand conservatory making it a super venue as we head into the summer. Please do not buy me a rug for my knees. OK, maybe...that does sound kind of cool if it was in pink tartan? Cool thanks.

Beach Blanket Babylon Cocktail Bar Review

I like Shoreditch because every time I go some place there, it seems so normal when you first look at it but then upon closer inspection, there's always some weird thing about it. This time it was at the  Beach Blanket Babylon.

Cocktails at Madison Rooftop Bar London

I am constantly in a state of stress at the moment.  Not because of work or personal circumstances but because of the cray cray weather recently which results in simultaneously packing both sunglasses and umbrellas for every excursion, let alone the options surrounding outer wear.  However the girls at River Island must have been twerking hard doing the sun dance because the weather was proper bo for the River Island x Pacha closing party at Madison.

Loungelover Cocktail Bar Review

I work a standard 9-to-5 job.  I mean that in a metaphorical sense of course as I rarely actually only work 9 to 5.  My desk is that standard issue pine colour.  My computer is black.  I have a swivvle office chair.  It's all very nondescript.  That's why it's nice to have a break from the nondescript and go to Loungelover.

the Attic at Pan Peninsula Cocktail Bar Review

I live to the philosophy of "the purpose of our lives is to be happy" to the point of obsession.  It's not that hard; know what makes you happy and keep it up.  Great views makes me happy.  Cocktails makes me happy.  Being in London makes me happy.  Being with friends makes me happy.  Does this make The Attic Bar heaven?

Reyka Vodka bitters launch party at Looking Glass Cocktail Club

It feels like it's been ages since I've written a post on here.  There's been a lot going on the last month that I've barely had a chance to think, let alone drink.  So when the lovely people of Reyka Vodka wanted me to try out their new bitters product at Looking Glass Cocktail Club because they were throwing a party, I decided alcohol was definitely the solution.  

The Hoxton Grill Cocktail Bar Review

I have an over zealous interest in Shoreditch despite having no affinity to it at all.  Every time I'm within sniffing distance of EC1/2, I'm well aware my wardrobe of New Look items has no place here.  I think my interest is because Shoreditch seems to be my antithesis; trendy, liberal...grimy.  But the Hoxton Grill shows that Shoreditch can class it up when it wants to.

Cocktails on Butler's Gin barge Hackney Wick

So there were not 3 but 13 wo/men in a boat this weekend for my friend's birthday.  Butler's gin originated in the insanely hipster Hackney Wick (if only I had a full beard, a dog and classic denim) and as such welcomed gin lovers to their amusingly named concept "Drunch" to taste their unique blend of gin.  On a barge.  I believe the next phrase should be that overused one.  Standard.

Cocktails at Cay Tre & Blueberry Bar

It's the season for Christmas jumpers and Christmas leggings.  The dread of stepping out after a hot shower and accepting the cruel hair that winter hats give you.  I'm also going through a phase of having Heinz soup ALL THE TIME at work.  First it was tomato but now it's chicken (all the while having a faint Northern accented monologue running in my head a la radio advert).

Cocktails at Gaucho Tower Bridge

I tried being a vegetarian once for a week.  I won't use the word grim but I will use the word...oh hell with it, it was grim.  Don't get me wrong, I like vegetables but as soon as you self impose (and I don't even remember why I did this) something you can't eat, it takes a lot of will power not to leap out of bed in the middle of the night and run towards the nearest McDonalds.

So it was smiles all round when I went to Gaucho for dinner with friends. I don't know much about Gaucho but I know it's not a place for vegetarians.  This was validated by the conversation I had with a vegetarian who unwittingly went there for a work dinner and left a hungry (and possibly traumatised) man.

Searcys Club The Gherkin Cocktail Bar Review

I live in zone 5 so that classifies me as a Great(er) Londoner.  Yes, I'm trying to lay a more glamourous claim on my residency in the "grey zone".  Perhaps I should be smug and revel in that fact that I avoid the cost of London living yet I can easily get in and out of the capital.

Which means my hard-earned money can be spent on enjoying London life and and this week I was at the Searcys Club | The Gherkin.  I've been to a few places with a bar with great views across London but there's something satisfying seeing London landmarks from a London icon.