1 Lombard Street Bar

The backlit, circular bar at 1 Lombard Street casts a benign amber glow over the urbane attention seekers who crowd its elegant high chairs, although blushing violets may prefer an evening visit, when the brasserie’s seating takes pride of place & the daytime mayhem gives way to something more relaxed. Graze on salted almonds, Mediterranean charcuterie or chips with ketchup & mayo while browsing the drinks list: there’s Champagne aplenty as well as a clutch of wines by the glass or carafe, but top billing goes to Lombard’s swanky cocktails – classic bellinis & modish aperol royales, martinis made with an impressive choice of gins & vodkas, straight-up caipirinhas, Tom Collins & margaritas. Also look for the ‘after-dinner’ mixes such as Toblerone (Bailey’s, Frangelico, Kahlua, chocolate liqueur & cream served in a honey-lined martini glass).