A lively club come living room might not conjure up the best image for Bourne and Hollingsworth’s new hidden clubroom, but I think it’s the best way to describe it. It might invoke ideas of the house parties of your youth; someone’s parents have gone away and a suburban living room gets ‘transformed’ into party central with mtv music on the telly and a forlorn glitter ball in the corner. No. Imagine a great club; good music, amazing drinks but imagine it has the comfort and friendliness of hanging out in your best mates living room. That’s the feel of Below and Hidden.
In the clubroom cocktails are served from the bottle, each costing £50 and serving 6 people. Nevertheless my guest and myself endeavoured to sample good a selection in the name of research. The each of the original cocktails are the brain child of expert bartender Jim Wrigley, who draws upon not only his extensive knowledge of drinks, but popular culture to create these amazing cocktails.
The first cocktail we tried was the ‘Peacock Suite’, inspired by Alexander Mcqueen, Paul Weller and some pretty incredible Gin. Served in an iced glass with a peacock feather; this cocktail was incredible, comprising of lavender and kaffir lime leaf syrup, Rathbone Gin and British white wine. The thing that really made this cocktail sing was not just its components but how they were balanced, it was delicious and classically British.
The next cocktail we tried was the ‘Bank town special’ inspired by Banksy and the Mark Ronson, both influences were very present here. Looking at the drink you can see Banksy’s ‘girl with balloon’ influence and like both influences this drink is by no means subtle. Sweet honey and raspberry liqueur contrasted against sharp lime and fresh cranberry with the all-important light rum, loud and delicious or ‘subtle as a silk-covered brick’.
The Diamond Days was yet another cocktail right up my alley. Think old fashioned but with tequila, so it has bitters, vermouth but also fortified Peruvian wine and sweetness from the agave. This was a really nice deep, spicy, sweet drink that’s served short with some dark chocolate which reflects the depth and sweetness of the cocktail.
Making a good cocktail means sourcing the best and most compatible ingredients and mixing them. Making an exceptional one is taking those ingredients and balancing them like a conductor in an orchestra. Go to Below and Hidden; the cocktails are exceptional.
0207 724 1617
Address: 42 Northampton Road, EC1R 0HU
