Callooh Callay
65 Rivington Street, London EC2A 3AY, 020 7739 4781
Tube: Old Street
The scene: A Hoxton bar inspired by the works of Lewis Carroll – it sounds pretentious, doesn’t it? But Callooh Callay is that rare beast: a welcoming bar with a fantastical theme that lifts you out of the mundane, and, most importantly, has great drinks.
Behind the bar: Some of the loveliest cocktails in London. Try the Fizz Fizz Bang Bang with Plymouth Sloe gin or the Black Jack based on the retro Brit sweet.
Bar snacks: Asian-themed bites like ebi tempura and beef gyoza are available.
Bill please: Ok, all this loveliness doesn’t come cheap: cocktails start at £8.50, but they are very good. Snacks from £4.50.
Verdict: O frabjous day, as Lewis Carroll himself might have put it. The psychedelic decor, the potent drinks and the charming service all add up to an experience that would have got Alice’s rocks off.
4/5
– Alison Grinter
