Bars & Pubs

The stickers on Match EC1's door boast of bar awards won a decade or so ago; and though the world has moved on, the original of three Match bars (there's another on Margaret Street in W1; for Sosho see p191) has hardly changed. To be fair, little has arrived to match its commitment to mixed drinks. Each year a 'Match Original' cocktail created by an incumbent bartender is added to the list; John Cowley's Anniversary Fizz (Beefeater gin, Aperol, fresh lemon juice, passion fruit syrup and soda, £7) marks a decade of discerning drinking. Celebrated New York mixologist Dale DeGroff still dominates, with his five 'Original Recipes' (£6.50-£8, including a Japon Cocktail of Gran Centenario Reposado, fresh pink grapefruit, saké and cassis) and film-themed 'Matchnificent Seven' inventions. 'Sharing blocks' (£12-£13) of meze and charcuterie provide quality nutrition.

Time Out Bars, Pubs & Clubs Guide 2008/9