Have you heard the story of the best cocktail bar in the world coming to London? Well they took homage at the very beautiful Claridge’s for two weeks.
For those who don’t know (and I only learnt this while visiting the pop up bar) The Dead Rabbit is a celebrated Irish bar in New York voted the world’s best cocktail bar twice and has won countless awards, occupying a three story building in Lower Manhattan. So how lucky were we in little London town that The Dead Rabbit decided to show us what they are made of, and what better venue to pick than Claridge’s. The famous luxury hotel recreated The Dead Rabbit’s second floor ‘Parlor’ and served a selection of the signature cocktails and food menu.
I was so fortunate to be able to visit the prestigious venue with its award winning guest before it ended, and I can honestly say it is one of the best experiences I’ve had in a long time.
The waiters and waitresses all dressed in red had all the feels of a gangster movie, with outstanding service, as if there were any doubt, and the bar with its heavy curtains and low lighting, I was looking around for my flapper dress. The name Dead Rabbit actually comes from an infamous Irish street gang who traversed Lower Manhattan back in the 1850’s.
Seated at the bar we were handed the menus designed like comic books, each with an individual story, it was so fitting for the theme, such an innovative idea. We were handed an aperitif so the evening could begin.
The cocktails were divine and probably some the best I have tasted, really rich in flavour, very alcoholic but not at all hard to drink. A lot of the cocktails, of course, were containing different Irish Whiskeys.
The food was also delicious, I couldn’t fault it, just some simple bar nibbles but a perfect accompaniment to the drinks – and the truffle chips blew my mind!
The staff and the venue were just perfect for an enjoyable evening, I loved every second and when I visit New York, I will be sure to go to The Dead Rabbit to try the cocktails in its home town, and if you have a chance I very much suggest you try the same. Until then we always have Claridge’s.
