Cocktails in The City 2016

Cocktails In The City showcases some of London’s most exciting bars and guest bars from Europe.

The Grand Hall at One Mayfair

Taking place at the spectacular venue One Mayfair from 10-12 March,  the Crypt has new bar openings, the Grand Hall has ‘established’ cocktail bars with the mezzanine level hosting Patron Tequila and international bars as Paris’s uber-hip Little Red Door and Door 74 from Amsterdam,  while the rooftop BBQ and bar is a whisky snug with shaggy sheepskins on the seats.

A Hush fell across the church – not!

If the new religion is cocktails then this is its Church.

With over 20 of London’s hottest cocktail bars set up in this spectacular Greek-gothic deconsecrated church just off Oxford Street in Mayfair, you are in for one hell of a service.

Patron Tequila in the gallery, festooned with red roses, white-coated mixologists from 68 and Boston in the knave,  Reverend J W Simpson absolving sins from the baptismal font and Hush at the altar. There’s even a DJ in the pulpit.

Downstairs it’s a smokier affair with newish brands The Cocktail Trading Company and their delicious East End-inspired Dicky Bird Funkin Pro Mixed Berry slush served in a paper bag, Cahoots keeping the Blitz spirit alive and Whisky Ginger showcasing the Pogues’ whiskey.

I am going, I am going
Where streams of whiskey are flowing

It was a bit loud for master classes – not surprisingly as there’s a party in full swing when these guys are around. It’s a venue to explore, cocktail in hand, make sure you head up into the roof to get the views back down into the Harry Potter-style hall. Coat check, security,  everything was well organised. You are given tokens on arrival and there are plenty of ipad vendors dotted around to buy more tokens at £7 each. Great value when you consider the skill and artistry of the bartenders – all at the height of their game. We had Negroni foams, coconut mists – the works.

Man In London getting misty in the old East End vibe in the Crypt

We loved the Paris Red Door – look out for it, where the menu is three paintings behind the bar.

I’ll have what she’s having…

Here’s the gorgeous Sophie Bratt from OXO Tower Bar serving up her fragrant and citrus-infused cocktail, Love Buzz. 

Sophie Bratt for Oxo Tower with Tequila Patron

Mayfair’s Running Horse were there with rhubarb infused Chase Vodka – it’s a cracking spirit and pub but I never knew there was a cocktail bar upstairs.

Rhubarb vodka from Chase

We ran into Damian Barr, chicken-loving, Manhattan-swigging Salonnière taking notes at City Social –  a dressed down City haunt we’re told.

Being City Social

In addition to the bars, there is a long feasting table topped with candelabras with a couple of food vendors.

Following the London instalment Cocktails in the City is set to visit Leeds on 7-8 April, Manchester from 19-20 May and Edinburgh on 27-28 October. The event will also return to the capital from 29-31 July.

Venue: One Mayfair, 13A North Audley St, London W1K 6ZA

Find out more about events like this from Barchick Concierge