London Cocktail Club

While other cocktail joints get bogged down in po-faced geekery, this loud ’n’ lairy basement bar is all about the good times. The soundtrack is eclectic but hails mostly from the ‘90s, the walls are clad in garish naval tattoo decals and waiting staff are dangerously close to TGI Friday’s territory in the ‘HEY GUYS HOW'S IT GOING!’ stakes. Play along, though – the drinks are excellent.

Classics – like the silky smooth white lady (gin, triple sec, lemon juice, sugar syrup and egg white) – are well prepared and demurely presented. Between these and £100-plus showpiece sharers are LCC’s signature drinks, which pack a little bit of razzmatazz without compromising on palatability. The Smoking Barrel – scotch whisky, sweet vermouth, cherry liquer and angostura bitters – comes served in a large crystal decanter full of woodsmoke: a delightful multisensory treat.