Some of the best bars in The City of London
Great drink, food, decor - even the occasional Happy Hour
City bars have had a bit of a reputation for being crammed to the rafters with pin-stripe-suit-wearing, slick-haired Patrick Bateman types (minus the blood lust), hell-bent on spaffing their bonuses on something ostentatious.
Well, times have changed... whether it was the recent dose of austerity or some PR lessons over at PWHSBC but City bars are now some of the best in the capital (even with the odd Happy Hour - who'da thunk it?)
So take a look at some of the best bars the City has to offer...
In terms of décor alone, this is the capital’s most spectacular pub. Its opulent interior remains true to its former incarnation as the Law Courts of the Bank of England - golden chandeliers, carved balustrades and frescoes have beenrestored to their 19th century glory. Legend has it that Sweeney Todd transported his victims from his barber’s to the nearby pie shop via the tunnels beneath the building, and in a nod to this story the pub now specialises in handmade pies (albeit filled with Dorset lamb and ham hock).
Anise
9 Devonshire Square EC2M 4WY
Part of the acclaimed restaurant Cinnamon Kitchen, Anise is a destination bar in its own right. Cocktails are mostly fruity and exotic (spiced rum punch, Asian sour apple) and there is Indian food like tandoori chicken and lamb seekh kebabs.
The Jugged Hare is one for the foodies. Dishes from the modern British menu are prepared in full view of the diners in the “theatre kitchen”, where you might also see whole pigeons and rabbits being spit roasted (there’s a strong focus on game here). If that doesn’t get your appetite going there’s a great selection of British and European beers available.
The trendy boutique Zetter Townhouse boasts one of London’s best bars, run by Tony Conigliari who you may know from the famous Bar With No Name in Islington. Tony C’s drinks are highly experimental (not to mention dangerously drinkable), like the Bloody Mary with parsley vodka and the Pine Needle Gimlet.
Basement watering hole Mark’s Bar, beneath Hix Soho, has proved almost as much of a hit as the restaurant itself, so the City branch has faithfully reproduced it. Here you’ll findthe same winning combo of classy cocktails, mouth-watering “snax” and designer furniture.
The speakeasy revival may be over, but this seductive den will never go out of fashion. Dark and atmospheric, it has one of the UK’s largest selections of absinthe, the bar staff’s mixing skills are faultless, and drinks are served in super chic glassware – this is where you take someone you want to impress. Make sure you book in advance as it’s seating room only and gets very busy.
Camino
33 Black Friars Lane EC4V 6EP
Thankfully in these seemingly never-ending times of austerity, bars offering happy hours are ten a penny. Don’t settle for a Pitcher & Piano and instead check out Camino. It’s cheap and cheerful enough for a post-work booze-up and offers enough Spanish sherries, wines and moreish tapas for the discerning customer.
A former warehouse once owned by the East India Company has been transformed into a one-stop shop for all City workers’ needs: there’s a British grill restaurant, a fish restaurant, a wine shop, and this chic bar complete with a terrace. You’ll find a very grown-up menu with cocktails, cigars and barbecued meats.
