Illustration: Mark Reihill
Who cares if the whole world seems to have buggered off on holiday? That means there’ll be a greater chance for us to secure a seat at the week-long the Dead Rabbit takeover at Claridges – hurrah! As much as we love a spot of sunshine and the chance to show it off on social media (Lord knows it’s a rarity here in London), we’re equally happy to spend an evening (or indeed, seven) surrounded in the five-star lusciousness that is Claridge’s with drinks made by the team from the number one bar in the world.
This isn’t your regular guest shift where a bartender from bar ‘x’ just rocks up behind bar ‘y’ for a night, maybe two. In true Dead Rabbit and Claridge’s style, this will be meticulously executed to the nth degree. Check this: from 15th to 22nd August a little part of uptown Mayfair will be transformed into a mini-me version of everyone’s favourite bar in downtown Manhattan. Oh yes indeedy. We’re talking a recreation of both the Taproom and The Parlor, complete with bar stools, pub-style banquettes, fabricated walls – the lot (see the real thing below).
Cocktails of a most superior kind are always guaranteed with the Rabbits, and beverage director Jillian Vose will be around to deliver the goods. On the menu, all manner of delights including Point Blank (Plymouth Gin, Blanc Vermouth, Falernum, Honeydew melon, cucumber and chamomile bitters); Drawing Board (Glenfiddich IPA, Drambuie, Bénédictine, Decanter Bitters, lemon oil and Islay Scotch Mist); Psycho Killer (Redbreast 12 Year Irish Whiskey, Campari, banana liqueur, white cacao and Pernod Absinthe), and Magdalene (Martell Cordon Bleu Cognac, Laurent Perrier La Cuvée, cherry eau de vie, vanilla, poppy seed, apple and lemon juice).
Of course, there’ll be Guinness and the eighth wonder of the drinks world that is the Dead Rabbit Irish Coffee will be on the menu too. What’s for eats you say? Only the kind of crowd pleasers that defy diets. We dare you not to succumb to the likes of Cumberland sausage rolls; truffled chips with curry mayo, vinegar aioli and ketchup; the Dead Rabbit burger, and – joy-oh-joy – Irish lamb shepherd’s pie. That’s your stomach sorted, on the entertainment front there’ll be ragtime piano to keep your toes a-tappin’ every night.
August or not, it’s going to be busy, so bookings are recommended (walk-ins are also welcome) but be warned, seatings are restricted to 90 minutes. Social media sharing a la the holiday crowd is an absolute must.
The Dead Rabbit takeover at Claridge’s runs from 15th to 22nd August.
For more info see, claridges.co.uk
