If quirky bars are your thing, then I think you’ll feel right at home at Mr Fogg’s Residence.
Even before you enter the Residence, you have to approach the doorman guarding the entrance. Once you’ve informed the learned gentlemen that you have a table booked, he’ll knock heavily on the door using the enormous brass handle to alert the household that they have a visitor.
Mr Phileas J Fogg’s is, of course, the late victoria-era explorer famous for circumnavigating the world. The first thing that strikes you is the incredible decor. It’s charming, old-fashioned and recreates the residence at the time Mr Fogg’s set off on his incredible journey. It’s like stepping back through time.
For such an intrepid explorer, the residence is suitably furnished ornate furniture and suitably eye-catching findings from Mr Fogg’s exotic travels. You’ll find banners of flags of nations hanging from the ceiling,a vintage grandfather clock, bird cages and more all bathed in the warm glow of the cosy drawing room.
The next thing that will astound you is the huge array of cocktails to choose from. It’s frankly staggering: 80 cocktails and counting spanning 55 pages. More an encyclopaedia than a menu! The cocktails are incredibly quirky and inspired by the locations of the world from Mr Fogg’s travels around the world. if you’re partial to a bit of drama and mystique, ask the staff to bring you the quirkiest drink with the quirkiet presentation like ‘The Smoking Carriage’.
Unlike most bars, you don’t have to muscle your way to the front of the bar to be served. Stay put and the incredibly charming and knowledgeable household staff will come to you. And thank God for the staff. Like me, you might feel a little lost as to which cocktail to sample. Just ask for help. The household staff are incredibly knowledgeable and will help you find the right tipple for you.
If you’re feeling particularly mischievous and really want to test the skills of the expert mixologist behind the bar, you can even ask them to create a cocktail just for you based on your personality. I kid you not. And if alcohol is not for you, mocktails can be made especially for those who refrain from the good stuff.
As you’d expect at such a popular bar, you might want to do yourself a favour and RSVP a table which you can do online to avoid disappointment.
If you’re looking for more than just cocktails, Mr Fogg’s also caters for Afternoon Tea, or Tipsy Tea. And if you have the misfortune of organising your company’s party, then you’ll be pleased to hear that Mr Fogg’s also does parties too of up to 25 people of your friends.
Come on a Tuesday or a Wednesday. On Tuesday, you enjoy the sweet, sweet melody of a pianist strutting his stuff on a grand piano. On Wednesdays, a magician pays his weekly visits to the Residence to entertain you and your guest.
Since my first visit on behalf of Fluid London, I’ve grown to love it anymore after further visits. Mr Fogg’s is firmly one of my favourite cocktail bars in London Town and I highly recommend visiting The Residence. I’m sure you’ll love it too.
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