Wahaca Charlotte Street and Mezcaleria Bar

Thomasina Miers has colourfully Wahaca-fied these three adjoined townhouses on Charlotte Street. If it is drinks you are after, neon lights reading ‘the Good, the Bad and the Mezcal’ will lead you up to the cool and collected bar.

With suave but colourful upholstery and low brown leather sofas, this has a more upmarket feel than it’s slightly grungier Soho counterpart, the Azulito Bar, but retains the same sense of vibrancy. The birdcage swinging chairs are unsurprisingly the ones everyone is eyeing up, but there is plenty other of comfy seating to go around. Friday night has a live DJ set up 7 til late, playing old school classics. Filled with a mixed crowd, the appeal of this Mexican restaurant is apparently universal. A great buzzing atmosphere fills the room and the knowledgeable staff can help you choose exactly the right tequila or mezcal for your palette. A great place to stop for drinks and dinner after work, or an excellent venue for group bookings or private hire, for anything from 10 - 200 guests.

Mezcal is Mexico’s lesser known spirit export, somewhat eclipsed in many a mainstream drinker’s mind by its more infamous cousin tequila. Still made from the agave plant, mezcal has an unmistakable tequila tang but a distinctly smokier flavour, and the bar here houses perhaps London’s finest collection of the stuff. If you are feeling curious you can sip (yes sip, not shoot!) a selection of mezcals, or you can get a contemporary cocktail made with this ancient tipple. A good range of tequilas are also available, as are beers and wines. A margarita costs £6.95 with a double shot of tequila, pretty reasonable by central London standards, and there are some fruity twists on this classic. Snack foods like chips and guacamole are available in the bar, while group bookings and private parties can pre-order a selection of canapes / finger food to accompany their drinks.

Beyond cocktail and canapé bookings, the Mezcaleria also has a private dining room holding up to 40 seated or 55 standing, 3 semi-private dining areas for 10 – 55 guests, and a full size projector for presentations, meetings and screening with a Wahaca-style boardroom table. The perfect venue for a celebratory dinner, or a way to spice up next month's offsite meeting with some tacos, tequila and table football.