Situated at the heart of Central London and only a bar spoon's length from Oxford Circus tube, this branch of London Cocktail Club is ideally positioned to attract locals, Oxford Street shoppers and tourists alike. With five sites opening in as many years, including a newly opened Shoreditch branch, London Cocktail Club offers Londoners a cool twist on the classic speakeasy. I headed down to London Cocktail Club Oxford Circus to get the low down.
The Venue:
We headed downstairs into the London Cocktail Club basement space, past walls adorned with street-art graffiti and into a long room dominated by a long cocktail bar that had been divided into Bloods and Krips sections. Each London Cocktail Club has its own theme and house spirit: Oxford Circus delivers a Gangster's Tequila Paradise. The theme adorns the walls in the form of colourful graffiti clowns, typical of street art in downtown L.A.
Alongside the main bar, London Cocktail Club Oxford Circus offers two private function rooms: one space comes complete with a sound recording booth, karaoke machine and bar, offering the ideal space for a party.
London Cocktail Club Oxford Circus is full of quirky decorations.
The Ambience & Service:
Service is an important aspect of any modern cocktail joint, and as soon as we entered we were greeted with a smile and a warm welcome. Our waiter Patrick, sat us down and asked which spirits we usually go for, recommending a few cocktails we might like before leaving us to nibble on a complementary bowl of popcorn.
The atmosphere was comfortable and light; quiet enough to disappear into a quiet corner with a date, but lively enough that a group out for after work drinks wouldn't feel out of place. As the evening progresses, the music is cranked up a notch to get the party atmosphere pumping.
The space is full of nooks and crannies, perfect for enjoying a quiet tipple in peace.
The Food & Drink:
In line with their Gangster's Tequila Paradise theme, the cocktail offering was spiked with more Mexican spirits than a séance in Guadalajara. I went for the House Grog, a rum and nutmeg concoction that tasted much better than it sounds, whilst my guest opted for the Southside Royal, made with Bombay gin and Prosecco.
London Cocktail Club caters mainly for cocktail lovers heading for post dinner drinks, but they also serve tasty bar snacks for those who want to skip dinner and head straight to the bar. Guests can soak up the spirits with scrumptious meaty burgers or chicken wings: we opted for a basket of chicken curry chips (chips covered in chicken curry, in case you couldn't tell), which come in a good sized portion and really hit the spot.
Experienced bar tenders whip up a storm of tequila-fuelled wonders.
Summary
London Cocktail Club Oxford Circus really hit the spot on this occasion: they manage a good balance between traditional speakeasy and modern party bar, with impeccable service and an impressive drinks offering. Plus, you thirsty folk can get your hands on two cocktails for £10 during midweek happy hour - a couple of cocktails no longer needs to break the bank. Next time you fancy a tasty tipple, head down to London Cocktail Club Oxford Circus, and be sure to order the Bacon and Eggs!
