5 New Bars To Try This July
601 Queen’s Rd, Wimbledon
Open just in time for The Championships, 601 Queen’s Rd is a neighbourhood bar and restaurant located just outside Wimbledon station. Billing itself as ‘a new social sanctuary’, the light-filled venue is crammed full of quiet corners for curling up with a book (or a date), has a rooftop bar and plenty of long-tables for feasting with friends. Open from morning coffee until after-hours nightcaps, the bar serves up a lengthy cocktail list and sharing boards, while the restaurant offers hearty British classics, weekend brunch and Sunday roasts.
4 Queens Road, Wimbledon, SW19 8YA
Visit 601QueensRd.co.uk
Leopard Bar, Victoria
Located in Ruben’s at The Palace, newcomer Leopard Bar serves over 200 whiskies and 30 champagnes against a backdrop of live jazz music. At just 35 seats, this is an opulent, intimate spot that’s decked out in deep-buttoned brown leather sofas and antique pinewood wall panels. In the summer, a terrace opens up onto views of Buckingham Place. If you fancy something to order with your drinks, then opt for the signature steak sandwich: British wagyu steak, wild garlic and chive butter, served with truffle and parmesan chips.
39 Buckingham Palace Road, Victoria, SW1W 0PS
Visit RubensHotel.com
St John at Hackney Brewery, Hackney
A new indoor and outdoor craft brewery, bar and restaurant has opened in two of Hackney Central’s disused archways. Soon to be home to a hub of food and drinks operators, St John at Hackney Brewery is the very first to launch at the renovated arches. The utilitarian-style bar features a wide selection of beers brewed onsite, alongside a top selection sourced from around the world, while Cypriot food (with a strong focus on vegetarian and vegan dishes) is served by in-house restaurant Éla.
16-17 Bohemia Place, Hackney, E8 1DU
Visit StJohnAtHackneyBrewery.com
Viet Lounge, Soho
Former Hakkasan Mayfair Head Chef Jeff Tan has opened his new cocktail bar and counter on Wardour Street. Situated on the third floor of popular Vietnamese restaurant Viet Food, Viet Lounge is dominated by a sleek, central counter flanked by art deco stained-glass windows that flood the space with light. Here, mixologist Alex Looi (formerly Head Barman at The Dorchester and Park Chinois) takes centre stage. We love the sound of the ‘Black Magic’ (vodka, coffee liqueur, pistachio syrup and homemade coconut milk) accompanied by sweetcorn crab balls and homemade chili sauce.
34-36 Wardour Street, Soho, W1D 6QT
Visit VietnamFood.co.uk
Waeska, Fitzrovia
Waeska, the cool bar within The Mandrake hotel (one of our favourites to open in the last few years) has completely overhauled its drinks list for summer. Created by Walter Pintus, formerly Head Mixologist at The Connaught, the menu is founded on ethnobotany: the study of a region’s plants and their practical uses through the traditional knowledge of local cultures. We’re keen to try a Sage (mescal, Saint Germain, sage, tomato and dry sherry) while taking in the bar’s curiosity cabinet.
20-21 Newman Street, Fitzrovia, W1T 1PG
Visit TheMandrake.com
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