English writer Aldous Huxley once said “there are things known and there are things unknown, and in between are the doors of perception”. Sandwiched between China Town’s busy restaurants on Gerrard Street is one of these doors. A black door, with its paint stripped off, attempting to look like one of those doors that travel photographers love capturing.
On most occasions I do not knock on random doors or put my hand through Soho’s letter boxes. Though the cocktail world is small and the secret bar scene is even smaller. So when a friend from New York mentioned that this rather curious door leads to some of the best cocktails in London, I happily knocked, waited, put my hand through the letter box of this door and walked up a rather dark narrow stair case.
The Experimental Cocktail Club is split across three floors within an eclectic backdrop of brickwork, blue kitsch sofas, a log fire and ornate wallpaper. Whilst there is little natural light and the owners have gone for dark colours the choice of mirrored tables and ceilings opens the bar up and makes for quite an intimate setting. It actually works well together. Looking around, the bar attracts all sorts, but most importantly those who want an unusual and delicious cocktail and are willing to spend £10 for it.
The beauty of the menu is its length; a choice of 14 cocktails. Each one is different, experimental and intriguing. The French owners have done you a favour by narrowing the choice down, but choosing from 14 great cocktails is hard. I went for the “Kota Ternate”; a mix of plantation Trinitad rum, Niko’s spiced tea, a mix of spices, coconut and Ceylan tea, Batavia arrack, fresh pineapple, lime juice and milk. Smooth and subtle. The exotic blend of ingredients makes you feel like it is Summer even when it is gloomy outside.
Next time I will try the “Saint Germain Des Pres”; Hendrick’s Gin, St Germain liquer, elderflower cordial, Thai chilli tincture, egg white, fresh lime and cucumber juice. The bar is going to introduce a rotating menu where every two weeks one of the cocktails will be a new experimental addition.
The bar operates on a 50% reservation and 50% walks in system. If you are planning on making a trip here, especially if you want to escape the crowds of this weekend’s Carnival I would book in advance.
13A Gerrard Street, W1D 5PS, London, +447825215877
