Mark's Bar at Hixter (permanently closed)

Address: 9a Devonshire Square, London, EC2M 4AE, United Kingdom

Door: Open door/walk-ins
Style: Cocktail bar
Food: Tapas/plates & dishes
Established: 2013

As a subterranean bar beneath Hixter, the latest opening by Hix Restaurants and carrying on with their Tramshed theme of chicken and steak, the second incarnation of Mark's Bar is continuing the group's success with more than culinary delights.

Designed to look and feel like a New York bar, with plenty of leather seating, low lighting and exposed brick, the space has a congenial warmth to it. The layout hasn't altered a great deal from the last occupants, a pan-Asian bar which failed to last any notable duration but did manage to install the wooden long bar which runs then length of the room.

Coming from such an established group expectations of the cocktails were high and didn't disappoint. A similar menu to the original site, the drinks focus on the best of the British, championing new and established local drinks producers. We ordered three drinks, the best of which was the Hanky Panky, however all the cocktails came with just the right amount of theatre and were well-balanced.

Bar snacks hint at the gastronomic talent upstairs with dishes such as Yorkshire pudding with whipped chicken livers and steak tartare. Attentive staff were happy to suggest and advise and the subtle buzz of conversation kept the atmosphere subdued but relaxing.