Mark's Bar (Soho)

• A subterranean apothecary bar with a New York style low zinc bar
• You're greeted with smoky mirrors and a low zinc 'apothecary cocktail bar'
• Huge potion like bottles and decanters are dotted around and the mismatched glassware lends a decadent speakeasy feel to the place
• There's a no reservation policy so you take what you're given we were lucky enough to pull up stools in prime position and effectively had our very own cocktail mixologist
• We were a little more indulgent and sampled quite a few of the drinks on offer but returned time and time again to the Red Snapper essentially a Bloody Mary made with gin that hit the sweet spot
• It was a little tricky to find a cocktail to fall in love with but I think I'm just clutching at cocktail straws
• Mark's bar is great for those looking to try something different in central London
• The downstairs area is always buzzing accompanied by the beat of some great music
• The bartenders are friendly and always put on a show
• The crowd is also very nice and friendly and you are always able to meet new people should you so desire
• Encouraged by the drunks who have been this way since 3pm and tourists who are decidedly going large
• Head to the smart Hix restaurant and ask a hostess if it is permissible to descend into the basement &ndash
• To have some food with your cocktails
• A very good date formula is whiskey based cocktails plus steak tartare &ndash
• Soften it up with champagne cocktails and very fine oysters
• A chatty catty who mixes playful banter with an in depth drinks interview &ndash
• It helps that you can avoid initial face to face interrogations with your date by inviting the bartender into the discussion

Read More