Portobello Star (CLOSED)

3.5

I came here with a friend on a Sunday and we had quite a few of their cocktails. The pros are that they all were buy one get one free on that day... I'd say the drinks weren't bad but too many had egg white as the main ingredient and after a while you just want to drink a drink and not a meringue...

It's a little quiet and not very atmospheric but we did go on a Sunday so it could be better on a Saturday.

Would I rush back? No but if you're on the strip and looking for a drink why not.

As a true Gin lover I knew I had to come here as soon as I could. 

the bar itself was a lot smaller than I expected, but I loved that and the atmosphere was everything you could want from a Gin palace. 

The cocktails all sounded tempting, and I loved even just the style of the menu, but I knew I needed to go for just a good G&T.

I like the salty flavour of Gin Mare, so I had the Gin Mare Copa, served with black pepper, olives and juniper. The presentation was I think the best I have had in a G&T. None of this half pint glass filled with ice, whole bottle of tonic dumped in and a stale piece of fruit- no, this was art and a delight to drink. 

My friend went for the Hendricks Copa, with cucumber and rose petal and this as well looked too good to drink...almost. 

The attention to detail and how each Gin was paired with its own garnish really made me want to go back. It is slightly expensive but if you appreciate Gin then you will be happy to pay that much for a gorgeous drink. 

Looking for gin at its finest? Look no further. Whether you’re more of a cocktail person (and the menu caters for all tastes, while also daring you to try out unusual mixes) or more of a traditional gin an tonic fan, you’re set for the night. An absolute classic and one of my favourites, the gin mare copa at the Portobello Star comes in an elegant glass topped with delicious olives and rosemary to enhance gin mare’s natural botanical flavours. Complemented by a very cozy atmosphere, think candles and lights that get dimmer and dimmer as the night progresses, a visit to the Portobello Star will not only give your taste buds a night out to remember.

I am giving "The Portobello Star" five stars (or five Portobello stars - haha #dadjoke #notfunny) as I really don't have any reason not too! I love themed bars in general but this is just a place where you know you'll find true love for gin. Their cocktails are amazing and you can expect classics, classics with a twist as well as imaginative and whimsical gin cocktails. 

The interior is also super cool and very Mad Men inspired. You feel like you are in a bar in the 1950's which makes the whole experience so much cooler. Their drinks menu card (or "Atlas of drinking" as they call it) looks like a cool, old, very interesting book and a huge bonus is that you are actually allowed to take it home with you when you leave. So of course I took mine, which now serves as a great, kind-of-coffee-table-book and I love it!

I have yet to have tried their "Ginstitute" experience but it is definitely on my wish list. Hands down, this is one of my all-time favourite bars! For the love of Gin.