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Anise

Bars, Indian·
££££
·
Silver Award
·

SquareMeal Review of Anise

Silver Award

Indian culinary star Vivek Singh's standalone cocktail lounge next door to Cinnamon Kitchen is a City hotspot, popular for office celebrations, first dates and after-work bashes. Its vision of spice-toned comfort is more modern-day Mumbai than Bollywood bling, but its tailor-made for indulging in Instagram-pretty east-meets-west cocktails with names like Emerald Elephant and Mystical Journey. If Rose Pink Sari and Lady Yang (a lychee and lavender-foamed vodka Martini available by the glass or pitcher) sound a touch too camp, the bartender will happily knock out a bourbon-based White Bullet or a hair-raising Chilli Black Mango (whisky, fireball, mango juice and spicy vanilla sugar topped with dried mango and a hint of black pepper). Reasonable prices extend to the roster of affordable 'bazaar street food' – think hot-and-sweet shrimp skewers, KFC (Kerala fried chicken) or grilled aubergine with sesame and peanut crumble

Good to know

Average Price
££££ - £50 - £79
Cuisines
Bars, Indian
Ambience
Cool, Fun
Alfresco And Views
Outside seating, Terrace
Perfect for
Dates

About

Anise is a modern, spice-led cocktail lounge, situated next door to sister site Cinnamon Kitchen City. It’s part of the Cinnamon restaurant group, headed up by highly regarded Indian chef Vivek Singh.

Singh first made a name for himself as the chef patron of Cinnamon Club - an Indian restaurant situated inside the Grade-listed Westminster Library. The success of Cinnamon Club has spawned a group of restaurants that includes multiple Cinnamon Kitchen and Cinnamon Bazaar sites across London, as well as standalone cocktail bar Anise.

Inside, Anise feels slick and modern, decked out in earthy spice tones. Sprawling leather booths provide semi-private spaces for small groups who want a tiny bit of privacy, and there are stools up at the bar for anyone who wants to get the inside track on how Anise’s excellent bartenders mix up their unique cocktails.

The bar specialises in cocktails that have a unique spice-led angle to them, taking classic combinations and giving them an Indian twist. Cocktails have been designed in collaboration with iconic mixologist Tony Conigliaro, and include signature mixes like the Assam Manhattan, where Assam black tea is infused with Buffalo Trace bourbon and mixed with vermouth, maraschino and black cardamom. A classic Kir gets similar treatment, given an exotic edge with toasted coconut and coconut liqueur.

The drinks menu includes lots of other options, including a pretty extensive wine list, spirits, beers, soft drinks and more, making Anise ideal if you’re in the area for a pre- or post-dinner tipple. If you’re hungry, head next door to Cinnamon Kitchen, which serves well-priced, accessible regional Indian food.

This venue also offers

Anise
Christmas Parties

Anise

Anise
Event Party Venue

Anise

Location

9 Devonshire Square, City of London, London, EC2M 4YL

020 7626 5000 020 7626 5000

Website

Opening Times

Mon-Sat 12N-12M

Reviews

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1 Review 
Food/Drink
Service
Atmosphere
Value

Sophie A

13 July 2011  
Food & Drink 4
Service 3.5
Atmosphere 4
Value 3.5
Anise is a great little hidden gem in the city. Entering Devonshire square always feels a little like finding your way through platform 9 and 3/4… a fantastic secret of another world! There are plenty of venues in here to choose from but Anise definitely stands out for a number of reasons. The food is delicious… naturally as this is an extention of the established and delicious Cinnamon Club in Westminster. The cocktails are yummy, the atomosphere is lively and staff keen to help. The decor is dark and moody, but with the help of some lighting, it feels like a place you want to hang out and have some lengthy conversations over some food and drinks, whether discussing corporate feats or friends' romantic lives! Having been here for both a corporate event and a ‘night out for drinks’ this was a perfect location both times. A good size for an intimate event, it provided the extra interest-factor for guests, including organising cookery gift-bags. The canapes were falvourful yet elegant creations, and there were plenty of them! On a Friday night, this place also transforms into a fun place with a mixed crowd, with a good DJ. You forget where you are!
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020 7626 5000 020 7626 5000

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