THE SCENE The bar is a laidback drinking spot for the creative types who ply their trade in Soho’s Golden Square. It has a grungy feel, with industrial colours, slouched settees and a series of spray-painted corrugated shutters along one wall. They serve as a canvas for a six-monthly rotation of urban designers, turning this venue into an art space – it’s quite a neat collaboration. Scratchy, running film is also projected on to the walls, lending a real dynamism to the joint. You’d be forgiven for thinking you’ve walked into the Tate Modern.
THE GRUB The kitchen tries to put its stamp on its goods, be it by name or nature. The delights, for example, include Bloody Mary tomato bruschetta – yes, it includes vodka – and crispy salt and pepper squid. For bigger appetites, there are such things as the braised beef short ribs and the chargrilled chicken sandwich. There are a lot of salads on the menu – clearly a quest to trim the punters.
BEHIND THE BAR The bar claims to have the largest collection of gin in the UK and holds regular tasting events. Lush cocktails, such as Peach And Agave Smash and Graphic High Tea, are served in paint buckets, in paint trays – a clever touch.
BILL PLEASE Cocktails from £7.20, mains from £6.50, snacks from £3.50.
VERDICT You can take leisurely sips from a paint bucket. Who’d have thought? 4/5
4 Golden Square, W1F 9HT
graphicbar.com
Tube: Piccadilly Circus
