5 New Bars To Sip In Over Christmas

Anthracite

The Great Northern Hotel has launched a martini lounge. Located on the hotel’s first floor, Anthracite offers a new glamorous spot to sip in style. The 90-cover, three-roomed lounge takes inspiration from the colour and unusual properties of the coal from which it takes its name. This is reflected in the lounge’s charcoal colour palette, brought to life with metallic details and electric blue trims, while a bespoke selection of portraits by Sky Arts Portrait Artist of the Year 2017, Gareth Reid, line the walls. When it comes to drinks, martinis take centre stage, with an extensive and carefully curated selection of vodkas, gins and vermouths for guests to create their own martini, mixed by head bartender Balazs Nagy. For the non-martini drinker, there’s a selection of classic and more unusual cocktails alongside a wide-ranging menu of G&Ts.

Great Northern Hotel, Pancras Road, Kings Cross, N1C 4TB

Visit GNHLondon.com

B&H Buildings

B&H Garden Room is a new restaurant and bar from the team behind the perennially popular B&H Buildings in Clerkenwell. Located next to the National Portrait Gallery, the venue mixes picture-perfect interiors, seasonal food and the brand’s signature cocktails with 180-degree views of London from the top floor, where floor-to-ceiling windows frame the room. As per its Clerkenwell offering, the whole venue is filled with plants, from fully grown trees to trailing creepers and statement plants, bringing a little slice of summer inside during these chillier months. At the bar, the group’s cocktail maestro Jim Wrigley has worked closely with exec chef Anthony Horn to create a range of drinks that incorporate the same fresh herbs and spices used in the food.

27-31 Charing Cross Road, Covent Garden, WC2H 0LS; open now

Visit BAndHGardenRoom.com

Grays & Feather

Fizz fans should head to the new Covent Garden outpost of Grays & Feather, a bar which specialises in sparkling wines from around the world. With a huge library of award-winning bubbly, Grays & Feather showcases undiscovered and unusual wines from small, hidden experimental winemakers from across the globe, as well local English sparkling wines. The comprehensive wine list is complemented by a menu designed for sharing, think den miso-glazed aubergine with anise, salsa and peanuts; smoked salmon tartare; and nduja and crab roll. The 60-cover bar and shop comprises a ground-floor bar, flooded with natural light from the large shop front windows, and the eclectically furnished basement, which is kept sultry with low lighting, teal walls and a gilded bar. Two alcoves offer semi-private bookable areas with banquette seating.

26 Wellington Street, Covent Garden, WC2E 7DD

Visit GraysAndFeather.com

Ninety One Living Room

This month, Ninety One Living Room launches in the historic Old Truman Brewery on Brick Lane. Leading the trend for ‘third space’ venues, Ninety One is an all-day café and workspace, chef residency restaurant and late-night bar for audiophiles. Designed to be a ‘living room’ for everyone, the venue can host everything from morning meetings to late night dancing. As the evening unfolds, the palm tree-clad, bespoke Funktion One sound system picks up the volume playing disco, soul, jazz and funk, while the weekend brings a lively atmosphere with live jazz and DJ sets until 2am. The cocktail menu showcases playful twists on retro Victorian recipes, designed by head bartender Amon Kale, who spent five years at the Flying Pig in Vancouver. Working with local suppliers were possible, Amon specialises in tropical beer fermentations and native botanical home infusions. We’re keen to try the ‘Browned Butter Old Fashioned’ with browned butter-washed Bulleit Bourbon, gomme syrup, angostura bitters and orange bitters

91 Brick Lane, Shoreditch, E1 6QL

Visit 91BrickLane.com

The Bedford

London’s much-loved pub, grass-roots music venue and comedy club The Bedford has reopened following a multi-million-pound refurbishment. The newly renovated Grade II-listed building has been restored to its former glory and now features five bars, four private rooms, a ballroom and a 250-capacity live music club as well as 15 individually designed en-suite bedrooms. Having played host to the likes of Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith and Michael McIntyre, The Bedford is now decked out in a lavish colour scheme throughout, with emerald greens, burnt oranges and dusky pinks taking centre stage, alongside brass, copper and gold accents. Marble bar tops, velvet booth seating and gold ceilings marry with exposed plasterwork, original parquet flooring and vintage punk art. The drinks list features award-winning craft ales, fine wines and cocktails, as well an excellent selection of non-alcoholic drinks.

77 Bedford Hill, Balham, SW12 9HD

Visit TheBedford.com