Westbourne House

At a time when many bars are compact drinking dens with arcane door policies & an air of prohibition-era secrecy, Westbourne House feels unnaturally big & brash. Launched in pre-credit crunch times, this spacious & lavishly decorated venue (gilt chairs, ornate mirrors, acres of leather) struggles to pack in the punters during the week, so wait for the weekend when tourists & locals crowd the zinc-topped bar, ordering well-constructed cocktails from an informative list: classics such as gimlet & daiquiri come with a potted history for those who like to swot up on cocktail trivia. ‘Westbourne favourites’ are a choice selection of nine popular mixes including the sophisticated & refreshing Ginger Rogers (Zubrowka vodka, pear, ginger & vanilla), while evening tapas (meatballs, tortilla and so on) assuage any hunger pangs.