LONDON’S FIRST ABSINTHE BAR @ BROMPTON BAR & GRILL

There is something of the theatre when you ask for absinthe. The whole process of making the perfect drink for you is pure performance by the person making it for you. They invariably tell you the history of it, the fabled tales that it used to send people blind and the mesmeric dreams it creates as proof the the artists at the turn of the last century were led to new types of art solely due to their reliance on the said tipple. Watching someone make one for someone else, thats what I like long gone are the days and nights when I might have been tempted. So not to be a killjoy the news is out that there is a new bar that will evoke all the tales, just be warned dont have too many. The sad part of that statement is that having just the one impairs your judgement you will feel you never have enough. 

                  The award-winning Brompton Bar and Grill will launch London’s first ever absinthe bar in stylish Knightsbridge. On arrival absinthe-minded guests will be shown into the chic and stylish bar area where leather bar stools, a zinc topped bar and modern art pieces are combined with authentic Parisian sketches harking back to the days when absinthe was the drink of choice amongst bohemians such as Oscar Wilde, Vincent van Gogh and Toulouse-Lautrec.

Despite its nineteenth century heritage, the absinthe served will have many contemporary twists with cocktails including the Absinthe Caipirihna, a blend of Absinthe La Clandestine, Brown Sugar and Lime Juice and the Absinthe Daiquri, a heady mix of Rum, Campari, Absinthe Butterfly, Sugar and Lime Juice.  Other more classic absinthe cocktails will include Hemingway’s favourite tipple, Death in the Afternoon, a daring fusion of Champagne and Absinthe Angelique and Morning Glory Fizz, composed of Whisky, Absinthe La Clandestine, Egg White, Angostura Bitters and Soda, which was originally considered to be a breakfast drink but which we would definitely recommend for the evening!

More experienced ‘absintheurs’ can also enjoy their absinthe served traditionally with an ice water glass fountain.  With slow drips the water pours into the Absinthe and created the perfect louche, which is the opalescent effect when the water mixes with the Green Fairy and gives the alcohol a magic effect.   The award-winning Brompton Bar and Grill is Knightsbridge’s stylish and local bistro offering the finest seasonal cuisine and delicious cocktails. Founded by chef Francois O’Neill in 2009, it has gone from strength to strength and is the ideal place to eat, drink and enjoy regular live music. It was awarded ‘The It Room’ Award at The Tatler Restaurant Awards in 2010.