Jackson + Rye Bar closed permanently in April 2019
Three cheers for the shimmering 1950s-inspired bar at Jackson & Rye – a notable cocktail perch on a street now dominated by chains better suited to shopping-mall food courts than the heart of Soho. Among the Kentucky rye whiskeys on offer, Woodford Aged Cask and Colonel EH Taylor – top-end stuff from Buffalo Trace – are refined bases for a pimped-up sazerac, old fashioned or boulevardier. Otherwise, investigate bittered spritz (pink grapefruit and Cynar artichoke liqueur) or Floradora – a Broker’s gin, raspberry and ginger sling inspired by belle époque chorus girls. Wines by the glass and carafe include Californian Stone Barn Chardonnay, and the bar menu is big on American diner chow such as lox (cured salmon) and cream cheese bagels, Reuben sandwiches, ham and eggs, cheese melts, pecan pie, sundaes and bourbon- or rum-laced shakes and floats.