Bourne & Hollingsworth

Address: Basement of 28 Rathbone Place, (corner Percy St), London, W1T 1JF, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 20 7636 8228
Website: view Bourne & Hollingsworth’s website
Door: Open door
Style: Neighbourhood bar
Food: Bar Snacks

Review

Just to the right of the multi-floored oriental delicacy that is bamboo you'll find an unpromising metal staircase - the kind of stairs you only expect to use in the unlikely event of needing to escape a fire. But the best bars are often the most hidden.

So you have fallen for the promise of a good bar (hopefully not literally) so find yourself in a basement space that has seemingly benefitted from the design influence of a collective of grannies masquerading as hip, trendy young designers. Ten tables, neatly covered in white cloths sit on a parquet floor, enveloped by floral wallpaper. In such a setting it appears only natural to enjoy cocktails served in tea cups and jam jars.

This may not be the most stunning looking of bars but I like the friendly, random bunch of folk who brave the stairs and once safely below ground you are likely to find a welcoming atmosphere and bartending skills that go well beyond the limitations of a tea cup. Try the Applejack Rabbit with applejack brandy, maple syrup, orange and lemon juices served on the rocks in a jam jar.