Berners Tavern

The descriptor 'tavern' conjures up rather a more gritty image of spit, sawdust and ale than this glamorous, buzzy, urbane and sophisticated bar and dining room, though as a moniker it definitely hits the mark in terms of conviviality. Jason Atherton's newest venue in the gorgeous London Edition hotel oozes excess and success and renders the recent global recession but a distant memory. The palatial space, decorated on all sides by rococo-framed paintings, is dominated by a long, pewter-topped bar with a towering, uplit amber-coloured back-bar, while beautifully dressed supermodel-like staff are on hand to meet your every whim.

The pun-heavy cocktail names clearly have the hand of Jason's long-time bar head honcho, the award-winning Gareth Evans, who also presides over the drinks at Pollen Street Social, Little Social and Blind Pig at the Social Eating House. From the Dill or No Dill at the top of the list, to the Mead, Myself & Aye, all the drinks have an element of theatre, a good story behind them and more than a pinch of fun. Better than that, they are all accomplished flavour pairings and clever serves without being gimmicky.