Crazy Bear (bar)

Crazy by name & crazy by nature, this zany basement below the eponymous Thai restaurant is full of much-loved quirks. Those in the know will warn you to ‘watch out for the loos’ (they’re completely unmarked & built into a mirrored wall), but it’s also worth admiring the sexy pony-skin furnishings & cosy little nooks where you can imbibe one of the large selection of high-end spirits, or sophisticated cocktails. Alongside classic Manhattans & sidecars there’s plenty to emphasise the venue’s East Asian inclinations, from the classy oriental (lychee purée, Absolut vanilla vodka & Champagne) to a creamy after-dinner ginger bear (Koko Kanu rum, Mozart white chocolate liqueur, coconut cream, lemongrass & ginger) – not to mention the dim sum served throughout the day & evening. The naysayers may find it all a touch ‘by the book’, but Crazy Bear’s enduring popularity suggests it must be doing something right.