Any idea where to go for cocktails?

[Robert Poste's Child]

Apparently I'm taking someone for cocktails tomorrow lunchtime but I haven't a clue where to go. Does anyone know of somewhere reasonably central that's nice, relaxed and not too jarringly hip or expensive?

Thanks in advance for any recommendations.

[aquarius moon]

Not central but Dee Dee's jazz bar, Herne Hill do great reasonably priced cocktails.

[Robert Poste's Child]

Thanks, hadn't heard of that one, but think it will have to be north of the river as the other person has the north Londoner's mental block about SE postcodes. Meeting someone else later in H Hill though so I may end up there anyway.

[mancity68]

I like "two floors" on Kingly Street (just behind Carnaby St) for cocktails. Laid back and a little scruffy but never too busy or hip during the day....

[aquarius moon]

It's not in the main bit of Herne Hill but on the main road between there and Kings. They used to have a happy hour & do 2 for 1 cocktails but not sure what time or whether they still do them.

[MrBen]

If cocktails are the main event then it makes sense to pay a bit extra for something decent? A good cocktail in East Dulwich is now easily ?8 to ?10 so you'll pay more up west with the classic hotel bars (Savoy, Ritz etc) easily doing ?15 mark upwards. But you'll get some snacks and white gloved service for that and on the plus side you'll only want two at the strength they mix them.

If it's in the ?10 to ?15 mid range price per drink my picks for Central would be:

- The Langham Hotel just north of Oxford Circus

- Skylon in the Royal Festival Hall which has lounge tables close to the bar just for drinkers. And a view of the river.

- Brasserie Zedel has the bar Americain and is also fun https://www.brasseriezedel.com

darn it..it will be ages before I get back to any of these places again....have fun...

[Ruffler]

Baltic on Blackfriars road, close to Southwark tube station, have a good range of cocktails (great food too!) http://www.balticrestaurant.co.uk

[Jessie]

The Experimental Cocktail Club on Gerrard Street Chinatown - had the best cocktails ever there

[rodneybewes]

Trader Vics, under the Hilton in Park Lane. Tiki themed...

http://tradervicslondon.com/drink/

[El Pibe]

For something a little more unuaual, Courtesan in Brixton do nice ones. May not be central enough though.

If central how about The Bedford & Strand on bedford st, just off the Strand, very good classic Martini!!

[StraferJack]

* coughs *

Adventure Bar have a place in Covent Garden

Y'know.. for fun! (and sugar)

[Jah Lush]

The Long Bar at the Sanderson Hotel on Berners Street W1.

[El Pibe]

ouch, still have memories of being stung for a supra ton round there!!

[david_carnell]

The bar at Duck and Waffle at the top of the Heron Tower nr Liverpool St Station.

Amazing views, excellent drinks, reasonable prices. If you get peckish the food is also excellent. I hear good things about the bar in Centrepoint too - imagine the views are equally stunning.

http://duckandwaffle.com/menus/cocktails/

http://www.paramount.uk.net/restaurant-bar/

[lounge lizard]

Central would recommend the Duke's Bar in Dukes hotel St James, fantastic old schoodl Martini served from a trolley, stageringly strong. Slightly off beat would be the Zetter Townhouse cocktail bar, stunning quirky cocktails, watch out for the stuffed cat in the corner

[El Pibe]

ah yes, I've been there, marvellous spot. Be sure to wear some velour too!

[AGW3]

Radio Rooftop Bar opposite Walfdorf.

[Seabag]

For something Bourbon based and good fun

Pitt Cue Co on Newburgh Street, just off back of Carnaby Street

Then downstairs at Ember Yard is quite different, more intimate Spanish/Basque

Or Big Easy got voted the best BIG BAR in London

It's on Maiden lane , back of Covent Garden, it's pretty sparkly

[phobic3000]

There's a cocktail bar near St Paul's Cathedral. What's nice about it is it's up about 6 floors so you get a great view of the cathedral. Fairly pricey but a nice treat.

Edit - it's called Madison

[Jeremy]

I've heard the Peg & Patriot (Town Hall Hotel in Bethnal Green) is good... original/quirky cocktails with their own on-site distillery. (although I've not personally been there since its former incarnation)

[El Pibe]

Can't judge on the bar but I went to a wedding there just after it opened (groom was an architect involved in refurb) and it was a lovely place.

[Jeremy]

Pibe - at the Town Hall Hotel? Yes it is a stunning building/refurb. The bar used to be associated with the Viajante restaurant, but when that closed the bar changed too. Like I say, not had a chance to go yet, but the reviews are rather good!

[Robert Poste's Child]

Thanks for all the excellent suggestions. If anyone ever asks me again I won't look like a total idiot who never goes out...

[Salsaboy]

Where did you go?

[Robert Poste's Child]

I'm too ashamed to say, but next time I'll definitely try one of the above.

That will be after the New Year diet, obvs.