Lab
12 Old Compton Street
London, W1D 4TQ
+44 20 7437 7820
http://www.lab-townhouse.com
Hours:
Mon-Sat: 4pm-12am
Sun 4pm-10:30pm
If you’re expecting glitz, modern glamour or a chance to wear a tie, you’re in the wrong place – but if you want what just might be the best White Lady in London, you’ve hit the jackpot. Lab’s seventies-style décor may not be to everybody’s taste and some might be upset by the dress code insisting you remove your tie before entering, but once you get past those, you’re in cocktail heaven. The thick menu on each table starts with a formidable range of classics before going on to the house specialities, and I have yet to see a bad drink cross the immaculately-polished bar. The bartenders really know their stuff, too, and aren’t afraid of their own comprehensive reference library, so feel free to ask for whatever takes your fancy and delight in what comes back to you.
Go in late and you’ll see a slightly raucous crowd at the door end of the bar – those are London’s other good bartenders, and this is the place where they go for a drink.
Hoof it or Cab
For directions, please enter starting address and city (ex. 10 Downing Street, London).
Underground
Close:  or  to Tottenham Court Road.
Walk south on Charing Cross Road to Old Compton Street.
Turn Right
Closer: or  to Leicester Square.
Walk north on Charing Cross Road to Old Compton Street.
Turn Left
Check Transport for London for exact tube and bus directions.
Back-up Plan
Thirst
Thirst
53 Greek Street
London, W1D 3DR
+44 20 7437 1977
http://www.thirstbar.com/lonmain.htm
Hours:
Mon-Sat: 5 p.m. - 5 a.m.
Sun: Closed
Don’t be put off by the run-of-the-mill exterior, or the fact that it’s a night club. Inside you’ll find a solid crew of gin-slingers that really care about making their drinks right. An Old Fashioned, for example (and my regular tipple there) comes with a choice of whiskeys and is made right, with the ‘tenders taking their time even when the queue is forming. It’s not a big serving area, but trust me, the wait’s worth it. Stay upstairs, though: downstairs is a standard loud Soho nightclub, which might not be to everybody’s taste. For best results, go during the week, since at weekends it becomes very popular indeed.
Hoof it or Cab
Underground
Close: or to Leicester Square.
Walk north on Charing Cross Road to Old Compton Street.
Turn Left
Turn Right on Greek Street
Closer: or to Tottenham Court Road.
Walk south on Charing Cross Road to Manette Street.
Turn Right
Turn Left on Greek Street.
Check Transport for London for exact tube and bus directions.
Back-up Plan
The Savoy Hotel - American Bar
They’ve closed it! For a whole year! The whole damned place is undergoing a refit, and I can only hope that when the doors re-open London’s Grand Old Lady of drinking (and my spiritual home) will resume her place at the very top of the tree.
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