Punch Room at the London Edition

Going through a slight hotel cocktail bar phase and thought we’d give this bar a quick look! The cocktails were reasonable and quite tasty, I tend to order an Old Fashioned or the bar’s closest version to it as I feel that if you can make a really good Old Fashioned, everything else is probably pretty good too! The ambience here was nice and the waitress was kind enough to recommend some gin cocktails for my partner, the music was mellow and did not overpower conversation. Really nice place to go for a chilled, after a hectic day at work, drink.

I had the afternoon tea Punch Room style here a couple of weeks ago. Their take on the afternoon tea is pairing small bites with teas and their punch cocktails. So it is more an aperitif than an afternoon tea in that sense. The bites were tasty but I found them a little small. The punches they paired were really delicious, highly recommended. Loved the cosy room with the fireplace, it would be great place to let your hair down in the colder months.

The room definitely has a very cosy feel to it. We were escorted in and promptly apologised to for not being able to sit close to the fire as requested in our reservation Fair enough. I really enjoyed the book of cocktails, and they get full marks for innovative ingredients. But £16 a drink? It was good but not that good. I hate to say it, especially as I keep mentioning it in other cocktail bar reviews, but Nightjar has more interesting drinks and a bit cheaper (£10-£13) and also has a sense of exclusivity to it. So does the Gibson. Is this just the Mayfair tax? Possibly. 

All in all-- if you can book for a drink pre-meal I say go for it, or after before heading off somewhere else. I would not recommend this place for a longer drinking sessions... you will be skint in the wallet and sober enough to realise it.

Voted as one of the best cocktail bars in the world, I was filled with excitement to see what the Punch Room had to offer. Walking through the lobby bar and towards the long, low lit corridor, I didn't know what to expect. Once I was escorted inside; I was greeted with oak panels and a roaring fire with cosy armchairs draped in velvet placed in front. Our waitress presented us a small glass of punch and vegetable crisps whilst we browsed the menu and our drinks arrived in a large fish gluggle jug. Despite the cocktails priced a little higher than other premium bars in London, you get at least two servings per person. Our second drinks were served in a small silver punch bowl and ladle and by this point the alcohol was taking affect. If you like whisky, make sure you order the sour which isn't listed on the menu but bar staff are more than happy to make. Possibly the strongest I have ever tasted but still sour enough to take the edge off the alcohol. In terms of decor, I expected slightly more than the bare wooden panels and could have perhaps done with more taxidermy similar to what they had on display in the corner, to give more of a feel of the Don Draper-esque drawing room.

This beautiful, low lit bar in the London Edition hotel won Timeout Bar of the Year and I can see why! When we first sat down we were each brought a small glass of the daily punch to try along with little peppery cheese crackers. The menu lists about 10 punches, all interesting and complex with a story to go along with them. The Edition Punch was just like drinking jasmine flowers - it was so light and fragrant. The second punch I tried, Punch a la Romaine was a little more bitter but with a sweet lemon foam on top. The garnishes were all unique and thoughtful and the service was non intrusive, but helpful when needed. The Punch Room is bookings only, which ensures that it's not overcrowded and as an added bonus you get to choose how long you want to keep your table for at the time of booking. This is definitely a place that you bring people to impress.

So first up, I was technically in the Lobby Bar at The Edition on this visit. It's a classy affair as the pictures suggest with beautiful high ceilings and comfortable sofas to lose an afternoon in! I had two of the famous Clearer Colada cocktails which...well let's just say you wouldn't want to drive after one or two of these bad boys. The drinks are about £15 for a cocktail but it's such a treat to be in an elegant atmosphere, and plus you get complimentary nuts too (come on, awesome right?) The Punch Bar is tucked away at the back and is great for parties (I've been to a fab party here) as its private and exudes old-school charm. Dress up, you're going to like it.

Beautiful cocktails in luxurious surroundings.  Not one for every day but for a special occasion definitely worth a visit! The punch is potent but the servings are small so there isnt much risk of drinking too much too quickly!