Core is making a name for itself as a cool and unique alternative to the pubs and wine bars in the City. Tucked between Bank and St Paul’s, this cocktail bar has been the talk of the town, so I decided to see if it lived up to its billing.
The Venue
On a warm Wednesday evening, the tables outside Core were already at bursting point, with animated drinkers spilling onto the pavement – always a good sign.
As we stepped inside however, the mood was far more relaxed and the smattering of candlelit tables belied a venue much more intriguing than the usual after work pit-stop. With a stunning bar upstairs, surprises are also in store as you head below. Downstairs Core sports another bar, as well as comfy booth seating, making it the ideal place to catch up with friends or celebrate something special. Throughout the venue, there are some great design touches, be it the vibrant neon wall signs, or the delightful floor tiles and eye-catching murals.
Cool and cosy, the basement bar at Core is a great place to kick back and enjoy a night with friends.
The Atmosphere and Clientele
With the outdoor seating area positively buzzing with City slickers and young professionals, indoors was reserved for couples chatting – a welcome contrast, showing Core’s widespread appeal. Upbeat tunes played in the background, enhancing the buzz of the venue amid the chatter of the guests.
With plenty of different seating options, you can either sip cocktails at the bar, or recline in a booth.
The Food and Drinks
We’ll get to the food in a minute, first though, we tackle the cocktails. I was surprised at just how expansive the cocktail menu was; spanning from classic drinks, to sharer concoctions served in teapots, to some more unique creations. We settled in and enjoyed a selection; I highly recommend the Sour Puss, a subtle blend of gin and elderflower, as well as the refreshing Slim Jim, which mixed Finlandia vodka with lime, cucumber, ginger and honey. For its location, Core delivers a cocktail offering you are more likely to see in Soho and Shoreditch – totally on point.
Food-wise, Core keeps it smart and simple. If you’re really hungry you can choose between their classic burger menu, or a few selected main meals, all of which scream tasty. They also have a small range of light bites, and that is where we had our eyes fixed. The ‘Epic Fries’ lived up to their name spectacularly; expect a platter of tasty chips, with melted cheese on top, doused in tangy hot sauce. Epic in every way possible. For the health conscious amongst you, we also sampled the avocado and toasted rosemary focaccia – which was creamy and flavourful.
Simple and classic is Core's food philosophy, making sure that every dish is tasty and moreish.
Summary
When someone tells you that you’re going drinking in Bank, you expect it to be pretty flat. Core definitely bucks that trend. With a really cool interior, a strong cocktail menu, tasty food and absolutely excellent service, Core really does tick all the right boxes.
