Address: 61 Poland Street, (near Broadwick St), London, W1F 7NU, United Kingdom
Door: Members & guests only
Style: Members' club/lounge bar
Food: Bar Snacks
Established: 2002
Sasha Petraske opened the original Milk & Honey in New York back in 2000. Many awards followed and it achieved legendary status in the bar world, spawning a myriad of imitations. This London Milk & Honey is no pale imitation, more a sibling.
Jonathan Downey was so impressed with Manhattan's Milk & Honey that he set about persuading its owner, Sasha to work with him to establish a London Milk & Honey.
The austere exterior with its lack of signage, bell push entry and lobby confer a satisfying feeling of entering a seedy den. Beyond are four dimly lit floors, all sharing the same 30s speakeasy décor. The two main bars are on the ground floor and basement with the smaller, worn leather sofa strewn 'Red Room' on the first floor. Above that lies the Games (function) Room and even a small roof terrace.
The comfortably moody surroundings, secretive address and calm atmosphere, coupled with some of the best classic cocktails in London, make this a special place for seriously discerning drinkers.
Members are requested to ring prior to visiting. Non-members can visit until 11pm provided a telephone reservation is made well in advance.
Here things are done the old-fashioned way. To quote Jonathan, "Anything post 1940 is not allowed in the building."