Speakeasy Bars London, A Comprehensive Round Up

More and more we all find ourselves looking for something a little different in the bars we frequent, maybe the feeling that we have stumbled upon somewhere special, maybe it’s that the cocktail list has more than just a Harvey Wallbanger and  Sex On the Beach on offer and just maybe it is the feeling that we want more of an experience for our money in these tough times.

These are all reasons why the Speakeasy style bar has began to move in on London, gradually smaller bars have been opening their doors, random parties have been utilising unusual spaces and the lights have been dimmed to make everything begin to be that little more exciting.

As the Who’s Jack office are keen Speakeasy bar goers we thought we would put together a little list of our favourites for you to begin to work your way through.

ECC Chinatown

13a Gerrard Street

Behind an unnumbered door sits the 3 floors of ECC, known to some at the Experimental Cocktail Club. With great features like mirrored tables and a bar that holds a piano this is a great one to visit. Small and hard to find ECC should never be full but it is as word spreads when somewhere like this pops up.

Barts Londoon

Chelsea Cloisters, Sloane Avenue, SW3 3DW

It’s been around for a while so we apologise if people already know about this one. Barts London is hidden away in Chelsea inside Chelsea Cloisters a large building with a prostitute problem (has, bet you didn’t know that one. The building has a prostitute problem due to housing so many tiny tiny studio flats that these ladies find the perfect base for their trade. But moving swiftly on… At the back of the building you will find a black door with a lantern. After ringing the bell someone will appear and decide if they want you to enter or not. If you are lucky enough to be let in and then become a regular you will be granted a key card to come and go as you please. Once you do get in you will find a place full of Mickey Mouse wall paper, retro tellies and dressing up boxes and as well as doing delectable cocktails you can get a hearty meal (shepherd’s pies, lasagna, mac and cheese).

Purl, Marylebone

50-54 Blandford Street, W1U 7HX

Hidden away around the back of Marylebone High Street is the relatively newly opened Purl. A cavernous delight of cosy, private nooks and crannies inspired by Dickensian gin houses and the Prohibition-era perfect if you are on the speakeasy hunt. Here you will also find fireplaces, exposed brick walls and the odd bit of Jazz. The cocktails here though are why you should take a visit. to name but a few of the unusual methods they use we will give you – hand-shaved ice from behind the bar as well as lavender-infused ice cubes,  and as if that weren’t enough how about pomegranate foam and tiny balls of mango caviar  floating in champagne on the top of your drink?

Bourne and Hollingsworth, Fitzrovia

28 Rathbone Place, Fitzrovia

Again, one that ain’t all that new but worth a mention for those who haven’t yet chanced upon it. A tiny little establishment, much like a grannies front room where the bra is more reminiscent of a sixties kitchen hatch but it works. Nestled down a flight of stairs in what would be a basement flat we guess is Bourne and Hollingsworth. There are probably about 6 tables in the whole room so it’s the kind of place where you are likely to make friends. Cocktails come in charmingly eccentric vessels including jam jars and teacups.