Housed within The Bloomsbury hotel, the bar is furnished with plush leather armchairs, atmospheric lighting and wall-to-wall bookshelves, and leads on to the enchanting outside space, a twinkling grotto perfect for those long summer evenings.
The Bloomsbury Club Bar menu features a selection of original cocktails named for the literary icons and their libertine lifestyle: the Virginia Woolf is a tart yet fruity concoction of No. 3 gin, fresh lemon juice, homemade raspberry shrub, Cochi Americano and egg white. Elsewhere her straightforward husband is represented by the simple yet classic Leonard Woolf, Makers Mark bourbon, ginger syrup and orange bitters while the essence of her salacious sister Vanessa Bell is captured with a daring mix of Beefeater gin, Cochi Americano, elderflower cordial and fresh lime juice.
Meanwhile time honoured classic cocktails includeThe Blood and Sand, a bold mix of Macallan Gold, Cherry Heering, Antica Formula vermouth, orange juice and orange bitters inspired by the 1922 film of the same name and the tropical Mary Pickford, with Havana 3yr rum, pineapple juice, Chambord and Luxardo Maraschino liqueur.
The signature cocktail for the Bloomsbury Club will be the Gin and Milk, a refreshing combination of Hayman’s Old Tom Gin with full cream and sugar gomme. Rumoured to be the late Queen Mother’s favourite drink, the Gin and Milk is an oft-forgotten classic that reflects the luxurious surroundings of The Bloomsbury Club.
Alongside the cocktails will be a vast selection of premium spirits, including over 60 different whiskies from around the world, as well as an array of liqueurs, aperitifs and craft ales. The Bloomsbury Club Bar will also offer a cigar menu with drink pairings, provided by the world-renowned importers, Hunters and Frankau.
‘Club Bites’ will be available to accompany the drinks menu, including Serrano ham club with homemade ketchup (£7), Chorizo and corn-fed chicken mini-burgers (£6.50), Crispy Welsh lamb goujons with tamarind (£6.50), Potted brown shrimp with toast crisp (£6.50),Tuna tartar on Guinness bread with avocado, lime & wasabi, Salt & pepper squid with teriyaki dip (£6.50), Crispy courgette fries with paprika and saffron mayo (£4), Sweet potato fries (£4) and Truffle fries (£4).
Live music will be available from Wednesday- Saturday nights,and will include live Jazz, popular classics and progressive lounge improvisation.
NEED TO KNOW
The Bloomsbury Club Bar (16-22 Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3NN; 0 20 7347 1222; www.doylecollection.com/hotels/the-bloomsbury-hotel/dining)
