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Seymour’s Parlour, in the new Zetter Townhouse hotel, looks like the home of a well-travelled, eccentric booze collector. With its deep red walls, wooden furniture and fabric furnishings, it’s like a living room filled with a treasure trove of knick-knacks. On a Sunday evening as the sun began to set, candlelight brought old-fashioned charm. It feels more intimate than the original Zetter in Clerkenwell.
Unchanged is the quality of the house cocktails, a new selection (£9.50) devised by bar supremo Tony Conigliaro. Champagne concoctions include Le Sphinx, served in a wine glass with orange neroli honey and ambrette bitter: dangerously easy to drink. Last Laugh, cognac, apple brandy, apple caramel and apple wood bitters, had only a subtle hint of apple and surprising citrus notes.
When I asked to go off-menu, a bartender perched at our table and discussed my penchant for anything sweet. He came back with a ‘Delicious Sour’ (£10.50), like a slightly melted sparkling peach slushy with a creamy foam top. Unforgettable. Among the snacks, ‘grown up chocolate fudge’ (£4) is pure indulgence.
Like Zetter, Seymour’s Parlour is not expensive given the setting and the quality of the drinks. Stop at a couple of cocktails if you can – it’s hard to do. I recommend saving a visit for when you can try a fair few drinks. It’s the perfect spot for an intimate cocktail experience, with engaging surroundings and bartenders willing to accommodate even the pickiest.