CITY SAFARI - London & Partners

Searcys Champagne BarsWhether you wish to end a successful day of shopping with a bottleof bubbly or seal a business deal over a glass of fancy fizz, SearcysChampagne Bar gives you plenty of reason to celebrate. Situated inthe stylish shopping destination of One New Change, within skippingdistance of London’s St Paul’s, this luxurious spot makes the most of itsstylish setting with floor-to-ceiling glass walls. Plush seating surroundsthe attention-seeking granite bar, behind which you’ll find everychampagne imaginable. Offering 30 varieties by the glass sourced fromsmall growers to Grand Marques, there’s something to satisfy every tasteand budget. Better still, the Champagne Bar is the first to champion thetechnique of decanting, with other pleasant surprises including a choiceof breakfast dishes and tapas-style plates. Look out too for SearcysPaddington (The Lawn, Paddington Station, W2. : searcys.com Ë Paddington. Map B2). Caroline MerryOne New Change, EC4. % 020 7871 1213. : searcys.com Ë St Pauls. Map B7.DINING & NIGHTLIFEË Piccadilly Circus.Map C5.VegetarianAmIco BIoAbsolutely charming spottucked away near thegourmet heaven of St JohnStreet. This Italian eaterycreates veggie/vegan disheswhich hail from traditionalcountry cooking but usemainly organic ingredientsfrom the family farm inCapua, Italy. The pearl barley,ricotta and chocolate cake isto die for. ££.44 Cloth Fair, EC1.% 020 7600 7778.: amicobio.co.ukË Barbican. Map B7/8.mILDrEDs23-year-old Soho stalwartthat offers in classic dishes,but made with vegetarianproducts, like sausage andmash and burgers. The menualso features more usualfare such as curries andburritos, plus clever items likesundried tomato risotto withwilted spinach, green beansand mustard cream sauce. £.45 Lexington Street, W1.% 020 7494 1634.: mildreds.co.ukË Oxford Circus. Map B5.sAFVegan restaurant producingfood which is mostly rawand offers incredibly clever,tasty and original dishes.Think courgette papardelle(with the ‘pasta’ made fromcourgette strips) with blackolives, roquette and capers ina puttanesca sauce servedwith cashew parmesan. £.152-154 Curtain Road,EC2. % 020 7613 0007.: safrestaurant.co.ukË Old Street. Map A9.Bars &clubsHere are some of London’snightlife attractions. Mostbars will open from 18.00-00.00 and most nightclubsfrom 22.00-03.00; somestay open as late as 06.00.Check before visiting astimes vary. For advice onlate-night transport turn top. 66-68. Info is correct attime of going to press, butdo check before visiting.Please note that the UK’slegal drinking age is 18.BarsBAr ITALIAThis comfortable, friendly24-hour venue, open since1949, is a Soho institution.It serves cold beer and theespressos are to die for. Theatmosphere is truly electricwhen Italy are playingfootball but it’s great forpeople-watching any time. £.22 Frith Street, W1.% 020 7437 4520.: baritaliasoho.co.ukË Tottenham Court Road.Map B5.cALLooH cALLAyFantastic 1970s Alice InWonderland-themed bar(complete with entrancesdisguised as wardrobes),which specialises in off-thewallcocktails that changeseasonally and might bebased on, say, old schoolsweets. Look out for themembers-only Jub Jub Bar.65 Rivington Street, EC2.% 020 7739 4781: calloohcallaybar.comË Old Street. Off map.cAmINoStanding with a pint ofSagres beer in the courtyardof this great after-work barand restaurant, you couldeasily be in Spain. A secondbar, Pepito ( % 020 78417331), opened next door togreat acclaim. ££.3 Varnisher’s Yard, N1.% 020 7841 7330.: camino.uk.comË King’s CrossSt Pancras. Off map.ELBoW room, THEPool sharks will love this chainof American-style pool barswith branches in Shoreditch,Angel and Westbourne Grove.They’re a great place to relaxwith cool tunes, and goodvaluebar food is on offer too.97-113 Curtain Road. EC2(and branches).% 020 7613 1316.: theelbowroom.co.ukË Liverpool Street/OldStreet. Map A9.FrEEDomThis friendly, inclusive gaybar and club is always full ofa funky, colourful and artyset. An eclectic mix of nightsensure there’s plenty goingon, with bar snacks availableand occasional art shows.66 Wardour Street, W1.% 020 7437 0071.: freedombarsoho.comË Tottenham Court Road.Map B5.GrAND uNIoNLatest edition of this buddingbar chain, offering the style ofa chic city cocktail lounge andthe comfort of your local pub.Look out for tasty cocktails,hearty bar food and DJsplaying funk, soul and indie.55 Charterhouse Street,EC1. % 020 7251 5259.: gugroup.co.ukË Farringdon. Map B7.HED kANDyFirst-ever bar for this majormusic and clubbing brand.This über-cool spot features aneon-lit ceiling which changescolours, iconic Hed Kandi art,stylish booth seating and ofcourse, top DJs.38 Clapham High Street,SW4. % 020 7627 1036.: hedkandi.comË Clapham North. Off map.HoxToN poNy, THEThis funky bar is one of theEast End’s trendiest and agreat place for style-spotting.Downstairs is for dancing,upstairs for drinking. Make abeeline for the venue’s 200-plus specialist spirits.104-108 Curtain Road,EC2. % 020 7613 2844.: thehoxtonpony.comË Old Street. Map A9.HusHInside you’ll find the elegantLounge for tasty cocktails, LaJune 2011 | LONDON PLANNER | visitlondon.com |119