A blustery stroll up St Johns Hill from Clapham Junction and the beacon that is Powder Keg Diplomacy shone brightly and welcomed us aboard with arms wide open.
Décor and Ambience
Powder Keg Diplomacy is a dining and drinking establishment with a nod firmly in the direction of the British Victorian age and of historical adventures of a bygone era. We waltzed into the front bar that was a scene of young Clapham-ites mingling and drinking on a selection of candlelit tables adorned with artefacts plucked straight from the Titanic (I would guess!) and a few gentlemen sampling the cocktail delights at the bar served up by head barman Matt. Real effort has gone into creating an environment fit for the finest Kings, Queens and captains of South West London.
As we walked through the bar area and into the more formal dining room at the rear, our eyes were fixated on the fabulous map lining the ceiling detailing voyagers and adventurers on the hunt for spices and fortune in the colonies! The Baron showed us to our seats in the dining room, set in a restored wrought iron glassed conservatory that has a mesmerising grandeur of a tropical-colonial scene from the 1900's. It is decorated with topsy-turvy flower pots like a scene out of Alice in Wonderland hung expertly upside down from the arches.
Powder Keg Diplomacy brings a touch of Colonism-chic with an inspired food and drinks offering.
Atmosphere and Clientele
Powder keg Diplomacy was brimming with locals, young professionals and adventurers keen to explore this new offering on their doorstep. This is no party venue with DJs and dance floors but a mix of couples, friends catching up with drinks and those enjoying the delicacies of the restaurant. The music is soft and in the front bar with jazzy, speakeasy notes flowing from the gramophone and the humming of chat and laughter with the dining room quieter with diners taking in the culinary experience.
Join the merriment at the Powder Keg Diplomacy in the heart of St Johns Hill, Clapham.
Food and Drinks
The drinks list is a delight and will test the indecisive amongst the group as there are enough enticing tipples for a Captain Cook voyage and back. Cocktails, reasonably priced at £7.50 a pop, are crafted with homemade liquors, juices and bitters with the Starboard Taquiri and The Drake (a British Mojito) extremely tempting as well as the beautifully named Somerset Rose, consisting of shipwrecked cider, home-made brandy and Lemon. The wine list has many stand outs including the Suikerbossie Pinotage from South Africa and the award winning white and sparkling English wines from Chapel Down vineyard in Kent. Bottles start from £16 and a glass around the £3 mark. Beer lovers will be impressed to see a bar packed with micro-brews from British and American independents, plenty of IPAs and Lost Brewing company beers on tap as well as many types of ale.
Get yourself into the Victorian age with a trip to Powder Keg Diplomacy in Clapham.
The food menu is British sourced and inspired: We happily ate our way through the Medley of Mackerel and Spiced Beef Picked Vegetables priced at a happily affordable £6-£8 range and with adventurous mains like pot-roasted gypsy pheasant and a venison fillet (£13-£24) the dining certainly matches the ambience and occasion put on by the PKD team.
In Summary
Powder Keg Diplomacy is a unique dining and drinking experience and gloriously honours tradition and eccentricities from Britains past. Soak up this new, innovative, Victorian offering that is re-defining the way Londoners can drink and dine. The Baron and his Lady cordially invite you to join them in the merriment and I would highly recommend you accepting.
