If you love an immersive ambience, showy mixology, and a sprinkle of theatre, The Backdrop is where to be. This speakeasy-style bar checks all the boxes of what a 'secret bar' should have. Hidden surreptitiously behind wooden doors in Voco Hotel's shopping arcade, the bar leads you first through the 'backstage' of a cabaret, before you enter its gorgeous dining room that's splashed in sultry, red velvet hues and luxe details.
The cocktail menu is separated into different 'Acts', as in a play — all the work of mastermind and founder Dario Knox. The Encore section is where the real show's at. Here, sub-zero temperature cocktails are crafted over open flames, right before your eyes. Each demonstration yields two glasses, and this laborious, sciency technique is proudly pioneered by the bar itself. Our fave is the Monsieur Gaudin, a variation of the classic negroni which goes easy on the Campari and highlights the gin instead. This classy tipple is named after the famous French fencer Lucien Gaudin.
For an extra dash of fun, poker cards with conversation starters and questions come with your drinks — perfect for easing up on first dates or a giggly girls' night out.