Category Archives: Bars

Courtesan: Bigger, Better, Later.

When you live in a city as diverse as London you soon learn that there is a list of pulsating, uber cool, queues out of the door, “you’re not on the list” venues that simmer just below the surface. They give this city its edge. BUT you have to be in the know. Continue reading

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Preview: London Mezcal Week – A Celebration of Mezcal, Mexican Culture, Art and Food

In Oaxaca, Mexico they say that mezcal doesn’t make you drunk, it makes you magical. If you’ve tried it you know what they mean. If you haven’t, you’re about to because the first official London Mezcal Week is happening this week, 11 to 17 September 2017. Continue reading

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The World’s 15 Most Important Tiki Bars (Punch)

I was honoured and happy to offer my own humble opinion when Punch got in touch to ask my help compiling a list of of the world’s most important tiki bars. Continue reading

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Trieste: Cafes and Buffets | #FVGFlavour

My Flavours of Friuli Venezia Giulia tour wrapped up in the stunning and dignified little port city of Trieste – where fantastic regional flavours flourish with flair. For a city of only around 200,000 residents, Trieste has an impressive number … Continue reading

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On the #RutteRoute in Dordrecht

The opportunity to stroll about and get a sense of the tiny island town that Rutte has called home since the 19th century was a lot of fun and worth the trip in and of itself. Continue reading

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On the #RutteRoute in Rotterdam

First stop on my journey to the Rutte & Sons Distillery in Dordrecht was Rotterdam, where a phenomenally crafted meal was followed by a top secret nightcap and a solid sleep in a historic setting. Continue reading

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Jose Gordon’s El Capricho Menu at The World’s End Market

King’s Road restaurant, The World’s End Market, has launched a new “Jose Gordon (El Capricho)” menu offering select cuts of extra mature ox meat reared and aged by Spanish grill master, ox farmer and Chef Patron of acclaimed El Capricho restaurant (and Netflix star), Jose Gordon. Continue reading

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New Cocktails at Great Northern Hotel

GNH Bar Head Bartender Harry Nikolaou’s brilliant creations beguiled as much as they refreshed, enticing as they intoxicated. Continue reading

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The Dayrooms Cafe

The Dayrooms Café – an “Aussie inspired café” in Notting Hill – is a pleasant spot for a casual meal and top quality coffee. Continue reading

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Mr Black’s Espresso Martini Festival

Coffee liqueur company, Mr Black, is launching London’s first festival dedicated to the espresso martini. Mr Black’s Espresso Martini Festival will run from 10 to 12 August at a range of bars, cafes and restaurants in London. Continue reading

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Get a Free Cocktail at Barsmith in Farringdon #BarsmithGoesTiki

Popular Farringdon watering hole, Barsmith, has “gone tiki” for the summer. The bar has gone generous too with an exclusive offer of a free cocktail to 50 tikichris readers. Continue reading

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The Wigmore Opens at The Langham

Luxury HQ, The Langham London hotel, has opened a pub. Set at the original entrance to the hotel (and most recently the former lobbly of the hotel’s spa), The Wigmore is a spacious, high ceilinged place for drinks and casual dining. Continue reading

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Joe Allen is Moving … But Only 25m Down the Street

Stalwart Theatreland haunt, Joe Allen, is leaving its basement home of 40 years to make way for a boutique hotel. Don’t worry though. Owners have already commenced work at a new location, only 25m down the street. Continue reading

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Win £500 and a Crate of Ale from 24hourlondon

Download an app (for free), tell the developers what you honestly think about it and win £500 plus a crate of craft beer? Where do I sign up?!? Keep reading for details about a fun competition from 24hourlondon offering the chance to win £500 and a crate of Tremethick craft ale. Continue reading

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#TasteBaltimore: Stay Hungry

After my week of munching across the Baltimore food scene, I’m apt to place the city right up there among my very favourite dining destinations. Continue reading

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#TasteBaltimore: R. House

My ‘taste tour’ of Baltimore continues with a visit to R. House, a giant garage that’s been repurposed into a food hall and launch pad for aspiring local chefs keen to make a mark on the city’s culinary scene. Continue reading

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A Night of Fashion at The Westbury Mayfair Hotel

It’s not every day you walk into a hotel lobby to be greeted by a pair of models sashaying towards you in opulent evening wear. But when the hotel you’re visiting is The Westbury Mayfair, a luxury five star hotel near Bond Street, nothing less should be expected. Continue reading

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#TasteBaltimore: Beer

I had a great time during my few days of foraging through Baltimore discovering some of the best local brews and breweries thanks to the knowledgeable folks at City Brew Tours. Continue reading

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Death’s Door #Gindependence Pop-Up Dive Bar

Death’s Door Dive Bar is full of striped red, white and blue, a bit of taxidermy and board games. And yes it’s super fleeting so you best get yourself out of bed stat and on your way over for a full day of fun. Continue reading

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Win a Pair of Tickets to Brockmans Gin’s #PressForGin Pop-Up Bar

Love gin? Love a party? Love a unique venue? The next Brockmans Gin #PressForGin pop-up at the Victorian Bathroom near Liverpool Street on the 27th of July is for you. Continue reading

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Graze Across Galicia: Casa Rita

Casa Rita is a rustic and “típico gallego” tavern, with a touch of Art Deco in its décor and a few homey and cheeky embellishments here and there. Continue reading

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Graze Across Galicia: O Gato Negro

Similar in feel to other Spanish cities renowned for their tapas such as San Sebastian and Madrid, Santiago de Compostela has its own classic collection of old school bars and taverns serving small plates of regional dishes. Continue reading

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Graze Across Galicia: Mercado de Abastos

Santiago de Compostela may be best known as a city of architectural excess in the name of Catholic grandeur. But just as key to what makes it such a fine destination for any sort of pilgrimage is the humble foodie action happening on the ground at Mercado de Abastos. Continue reading

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Graze Across Galicia: Benboa

Next stop on my Graze Across Galicia is Benboa at the pretty little port of Corrubedo. Continue reading

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Graze Across Galicia: La Bodeguilla de San Roque

For classic Galego fare, San Roque in Santiago de Compostela is a safe and savoury bet. Continue reading

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Our/Summer at Our/London Vodka Distillery

Definitely get yourself to Hackney Downs soon to soak up the Our/Summer series each Saturday until 19th August from 12-6pm. Continue reading

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New Cocktail Menu at The Cocktail Trading Co

Full disclosure, I’ve got a soft spot for The Cocktail Trading Co. You see, my day job is pretty glamorous. I’m often out and about drinking with bartenders as I interview them for a gin bar blog series. It’s safe to assume I’ve jotted down plenty of stories and have a feel for how each bar operates. But there are two in bars in particular that have stood out. CTC is one of them. Continue reading

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Summer Food and Wine Q&A | #AskBordeauxWines

Save the date! From 1 to 3pm on Monday 12 June, I’ll be on Twitter engaging in an afternoon Q&A about summer food and wine pairings with the folks from Bordeaux Wines UK. Continue reading

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Salt Beef Bagels, Iced Coffee and More at Mercer & Co, Chapel Market

At £3.90, a recent late breakfast/early lunch of hand carved salt beef with mustard (I went with American) and a pickled gherkin on a bagel was minimal money went spent for a mightily meaty and thoroughly filling meal. Continue reading

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New Summer Cocktails at St James Bar, The Balcon, Sofitel London St James

St James Bar at The Balcon (inside the Sofitel London St James) has recently launched a new Spring/Summer Collection of cocktails. Continue reading

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New BBQ Menu at St Bart’s Brewery

St Bart’s Brewery has launched a meaty new “barbecue soul food” menu (not such a bad idea for a pub situated across the street from Smithfield Market). Part of the Hush Heath Estate group, the pub uses apple wood from its Kent estate to smoke and cook a range of fresh and sustainably sourced British meat, fish and vegetables. Continue reading

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Highbury Music Venue The Garage Relaunches

New owners DHP Family (Oslo in Hackney and Rock City in Nottingham) are relaunching the famed (and infamous) music venue this month. Updates include a new sound system, decor and bar; a revamped intimate gig space upstairs; and an all-day café and bar on the ground floor. Continue reading

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Division 194 at The King & Co

Po-boy purveyors, Division 194, have set up shop in the kitchen of Clapham pub The King & Co for the next several weeks with a menu oozing with New Orleans inspiration and a dash of American gourmand excess. Continue reading

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Southern Pride (Foodism)

The Louisiana city of New Orleans is a melting pot of great restaurants. In a city where food options abound, Chris Osburn gives us his hot takes. Continue reading

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Ember London, Monument EC3

Fancy cocktails and bar food are the hallmark at Ember London, a sleek and slightly secretive basement bar recently opened just steps away from Monument Station. Continue reading

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