Camden gets the glam factor with the launch of Ketel One 80 bar

We don’t know about you but the last time we found ourselves in the heart of Camden, it didn’t exactly scream out style. Don’t get us wrong, there’s plenty to keep you happy if you’re of Gothic or rocky persuasion – not so much for anyone on the look out for something drop dead glam. Or there wasn’t until last week…

If you were in the vicintity of Chalk Farm Road last week you may have heard our jaws quite literally dropping as we found ourselves at the brand new Ketel One 80 bar perched on the top floor at Gilgamesh. This isn’t your average quick lick of paint jobby – oh no. In fact it took designer Christopher Jenner six weeks and 1,000 kg of bright, shiny copper to craft the bar and matching stools alone.

Like any creative with a vision, it was important to get the details just right. For him, it wasn’t simply about designing a room for drinking in, anyone can do that. What he set out to do was highlight the importance of the copper pot stills used to distil the hero spirit, Ketel One. And it’s worked – if there’s one thing you take away from your visit it’s that copper plays a big part in the whole production, both in this new sexy bar and the vodka itself.

Deano Moncrieffe mixes up a mighty fine Ketel One punch

The views at this place are pretty crucial too. No matter that you’re looking out on to the real-life dramas occuring below, there’s something mesmeric about observing the scenes from the fabulous 180 degree vantage point afforded from the floor to ceiling windows – especially when you’ve got a cocktail in hand.

We went along on launch night and worked our way through the entire menu on (oh, come on – it was research). If we had to choose from the From Schiedam With Love (Ketel One citron vodka, lemon juice, syrup, elderflower cordial, dash of water, topped up with Prosecco); Pomegranate Mule (Ketel One vodka, fresh pomegranate juice, ginger beer and Campari), Ketel One Spring Punch (Ketel One vodka, apple and rhubarb, lime juice, agave syrup, vanilla extract) and Rose Cosmopolitan (Ketel One vodka, Van Wees rose liqueur, fresh lime juice and cranberry juice) – Ms S would probably go for the Spring Punch while Mr G fell for the From Schiedam With Love, big time.

Mind you, they’re all good. Try them for yourself and we’re sure you’ll agree.

Ketel One 80, top floor Gilgamesh Restaurant Bar & Restaurant, The Stables Market, Chalk Farm Road, NW1 8AH. T: 020 7428 4922. gilgameshbar.com

Open Fri & Sat evenings only.

The Cocktail Lovers

The Cocktail Lovers are Mr G and Ms S, a man and a woman who share a passion for cocktails. (We also happen to be married, so we’re cocktail lovers in more ways than one…)