Vanilla

A nondescript Bloomsbury side street is the last place you’d expect to find a bar like this. Descend the stairs into a blindingly white space where the walls, floors & furnishings are bathed in rotating coloured lights – imagine sitting inside a lava lamp. Cocktails are the drink of choice at Vanilla, with fruity & exotic creations adding oomph to the minimalist, subterranean backdrop: try the Saigon sling – a tall glass of Bombay Sapphire, lychee liqueur & ginger syrup on ice with fresh chilli, lemon juice & a splash of Perrier water. If such mixology really isn’t your thing, opt for a bottle of Asahi or one of the high-end spirits. Bar bites come in the form of veggie spring rolls, mini margherita pizzas or Greek dips with pitta bread.