Voted best bar in London

Mark’s Bar at Hix

The basement bar at Soho’s Hix restaurant is a destination in its own right. Descending into the leather-walled, dusky room feels like entering a members’ club, and although you’ll need to stand if there are no tables, everyone is welcome. Both restaurant and bar follow in the same robustly British vein, taking local products and traditional techniques and bringing them up to date. The drinks list is a treat: legendary London mixologist Nick Strangeway was coaxed away from his position at Hawksmoor in Spitalfields to create a compact homage to British, European and US heritage cocktails, with ingredients that include Bramley apple puree, lemon sherbet and bullaces (wild damson). Most cocktails cost around the £7 mark. Due to licence conditions, drinkers must order a small plate of food to share, from Hix restaurant upstairs. Service at table and bar is warm and consummately professional.
When to go Pre-or post-dinner on a special night out
What to have one of the beautifully made classic cocktails.
Mark’s Bar, basement of Hix, 66-70 Brewer Street, W1F 9UP (www.hixsoho.co.uk)
Piccadilly Circus tube. Noon-12.30am Mon – Sat; 11am-11pm Sun

 

www.timeout.com/london June 17 - 23 2010