There’s something about a subterranean basement bar that we Londoners just can’t get enough of. Intimate corners? Innovative cocktails? Candlelit tables? You’ve got me. Sure, we’ve seen it all before, but Eve is on another level. With a brand new menu launching at the Covent Garden spot, I couldn’t resist one more visit.
Take a pew at this bar and admire the stained glass windows inspired by Adam and Eve.
Spearheaded by acclaimed MasterCheffer Adam Handling, the clandestine watering hole lies below his self-titled restaurant. Having ventured to the underground hideaway on a number of occasions, I’ve come to expect chilled out vibes, scores of couples and hushed voices… but this time was different.
Diving downstairs on a Tuesday evening (lately reserved for Love Island and laundry), we found a live DJ spinning hip hop to a bustling crowd. The bar has had a facelift since my previous visit, swapping the long blue banquette-style seating for tables, and removing the big alcove space to make way for a lab that's housing fancy scientific equipment like Rotovaps.
Less is more when it comes to Adam Handling's Manhattan.
We made a beeline for the bar, settling in with a couple of Perfect, 3 Cherries (£19). Adam's take on the Manhattan, this cute little number utilises all parts of the cherry; like vermouth infused with the toasted stones and Johnnie Walker-steeped cherries to garnish. Described as "chef in a glass," it was exactly that; sweet, well-balanced and mighty.
From the Juniper section, Double Dutch (£18) was a rich blend of smoky salted butter stilled Bols Genever, Balvenie 12 whisky, maple and chocolate, while the Reg Flags (£18) combined Sipsmith and Hendrick's gin with apple and miso before topping with Champagne. Think fresh, fizzy and rich in colour.
A bubbly Champagne cocktail, Red Flags is a must at Eve.
In need of a pick-me-up after a big day of stuffing my face over lunch upstairs (Managing Editor is a hard job, but someone's got to do it), I opted for the Flat White (£18). Fulfilling my love for all things coffee, it's a silky smooth older sibling to the espresso martini-inspired No X In Espresso from Eve's previous menu. Utilising coffee and whiskey, it was a velvety finish to a fabulous night.
The DesignMyNight Digest
If you still haven’t experienced Eve for yourself, now’s the time. With a brand new menu offering everything from elevated spritzes to creamy classics, there really is something for everyone. Fusing sexy date night vibes with a menu to satisfy your thirst for after-work drinks, it might not be the cheapest of options, but you can guarantee each sip will be worth it.
|
💰 The damage: around £17-20 per cocktail. 📍 The location: between Covent Garden Market and the Strand. 👌 Perfect for: intimate date nights. ⭐ Need to know: going all out? Book a meal at the Michelin-starred Frog above first. |
Get to know Covent Garden's best bars and sign up to our London newsletter for all the latest news and reviews.
