Wow! Loved this place. Cocktails were some of the best we had in London and definitely the best service. Zanata (sp?), our bartender was so fun, entertaining and made our night! Definitely recommend this place.
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The experimental cocktail club was smaller than expected. Subtly camouflaged, it’s hard to find. But do not be fooled; behind the dark, mysterious black door within chinatowns most luxurious crispy duck pancakes is a dim lit bar full of London’s finest chirpsing their Bumble dates. Once settled on a comfortable sofa-esque stool the barman will kindly inform you of all his favourites and assist you with ordering. Being a mojito lover, he suggested I try ‘La Boma’ - essentially a mojito in a cosmopolitan glass. Some may see this as a cop out on their part but it truly was oh so delicious. Another friend opted for a gin based drink with mango purée and pomegranate whilst another confidently requested a whisky on the rocks. A bold move however she did inform us she’d had a tough day at work. This merely shows how they catered to all our needs. Good vibes all round and even the loos have fine interior. A London go-to. In conclusion, as we scuttled off into the midst of the West End, we deduced that we would return; perhaps when Tinder is paying the bill �
One of the coolest bars ever! Really hard to find...exclusive. Had to queue to get in and it was raining...worth it though. Expensive cocktails but great quality.
Great vibe and cocktails right in the heart of Chinatown - well worth a visit but book a table if you want a guaranteed seat. We sat st the bar and watched the mixologists at work. Very impressive and knowledgeable.
Amazing cocktails, really recommend visiting. Would advise to call and book a table beforehand as it gets quite busy.
Such a great place! Hard to find but that just added to the mystique. Cocktails are unique and the staff wrestler helpful! Oh an the doorman was charming!
Fantastic cocktails. Amazing staff. Great location.
Awesome atmosphere, staff were extremely brilliant and the cocktails were out of this world
Great atmosphere, really good cocktails and good choice of music
It took us a while to spot the place as it is incognito. However, love the ambience and setting of the place reminds me prescription in Paris. The menu has very limited options and whatever was on the menu was a little too sweet for my buds. So I had to reach out to the bartender to make something that else for me and he made me really good cocktails. I would definitely recommend to make reservations as this place is super busy.
The second of the cool china town cocktail crew, with another missable door, but this time, there was a security guy. Up a flight of stairs and you encounter one of two floors. Cosy low seating provides the setting for romantic drinks. That said, it is cool for small groups and friends. I particularly love the mirror on the roof and walls, which helps to make the space feel bigger. Booking a table is a good idea, as towards the latter part of the week, things get busy. On this occasion, we opted for something 'experimental', so it was Sir Norton and Skys the Limit. Unfortunately I did not note the ingredients as i thought i could pull them from the menu. No such luck :(. We move on to Old Fashioneds and whilst good, way too much ice. I prefer the way Opium does it, just one big cube.
An ordinary cocktail club. Having visited the place after dinner at the Dishroom this place seemed ordinary with very damp lighting and a miserable menu in my opinion. Don't go there expecting anything you'd want. You'll have to stick to the menu full stop.
Smoke that rhino was the drink that was recommended by many people, so why not give it a try. I couldn't drink it - it smells like old grandma basement and taste's exactly like a 30 years old closed basement would taste like. The atmosphere is cool, so the visit was worth it.
This is a terrific place to get a cocktail! It's a bit hard to find, but that adds to the experience. It's got a classy/up-beat vibe. It's a great place for a date or a party or a cocktail after a nice dinner. I would definitely recommend checking this place out!
Very strange and unusual what I was expecting I guess. Nicely split on two floors and very quirky crowds. The strange cocktails I tried unfortunately we're not to my liking but I loved how it's decorated the crowd and hidden entrance. Would def recommend going for drinks.
Kristine Diana Tsiknaki
+4.5
Hidden away in China Town is this little speakeasy gem of a bar. While finding it might be a bit of challenge (look for the brown door and if there's no bouncer outside just pull it open yourself) after you go inside you get transported to another era. From the cosy yet alluring decor with its oriental touches and ambience to the unusual menu of cocktails, this bar will win your heart. The price range is around the 12-15 pound mark but if you want to treat yourself you should definitely give it a go. Browse through the menu or ask for the bartender's recommendations; either way you're guaranteed to get a cocktail that will intrigue your tastebuds and will leave you wanting more.
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If you love cocktail bars you really need to check this one out!
Locating the bar: The bar is deliberately well hidden which adds to its appeal and 'exclusive' feel. If you use the address above in Google maps street view it points you directly at the front door. The windows are blacked out with dark curtains and the only indication that you have found the right place is a small metal plaque on the wall. We went here on Saturday night.
The bar: Once inside you will instantly feel a cool, stylish, laidback. It has a somewhat random assortment of stools and old fashioned leather chairs which add to the appeal. If you are lucky enough to get a table you can have bar staff bring your drinks over to you and run a tab, however if you are standing you have get yourself a drink. A couch next to us reserved for a couple and it may well be worth looking into this if you want to guarantee a seat.
The Cocktails: There is a selection of 12 cocktails on the menu priced between 13-14 sterling pounds. The price may be off-putting to some but my local friend and I had 3 drinks each and did not grudge a cent of the bill at the end of the night. My favorite of the 6 we tried was most definitely the Old Cuban. If you like mojitos or rum based cocktails in general this one is a must. It's made with rum, mint, ginger cordial, sugar syrup, bitters, lemon juice and champagne and is comfortably one of the best cocktails I ever had. My second recommendation would probably be the Experience one made with vodka, fresh basil, lemon and elderflower cordial although none of the others were as great as the Old Cuban in my opinion.
Maybe it was just the excitement of being in London I could not have been happier with our experience at the Experimental Cocktail Club - I highly recommend anyone who is looking to have a few cocktails at the end of a day of sightseeing to choose here!
Being a cocktail fan it was a right choice going to this place.
I could tell you where this place is but where would the fun be in finding it then?
Every list I looked at had this place with any one of their cocktails in a top ten somewhere and it's easy to see why. I had a couple and tried everyone else's and all were pretty special.. With places like this around its hard to see why anyone would go to a cocktail chain. London's thriving and places like this keep it exciting.
The pictures are a bit grainy but that's because no flash photography is allowed, I'm guessing to maintain the mystery
The place has a great ambiance with three floors, which have beautiful interiors and beautiful lighting. The cocktails here are the highlight. The cocktails are delicious and definitely worth trying here. They are the best I have ever had. I would definitely be back again and would surely recommend it for a chilled-out, casual night out with friends.
This place has both pluses and minus. It took them a lot of time to bring me my cocktail, but as soon as it came i forgot that i had to wait so much for this. It was refreshing and nice. On the contrast, the next thing that i ordered was something that had egg and it was not at all good. Service was amicable and attentive to your needs. This place is only good for drinks and light snack options to accompany.
It's one of the unique places I've ever been to. It serves you with very creative drinks such that one can't imagine that adding blue cheese to the cocktail can actually turn out to be so classy. I must say they offer some extravagant drinks which are very delicious. The interior is very elegant. Though, being a student it's expensive for us, but this place is worth going.
The entrance to the bar is tiny with no boards, but only a few bouncers at the entrance. The interiors are beautiful. the atmosphere is funky, intimate and appealing. The cocktails were superb. I had ordered the old Cuba which was delicious. The staff is satisfactory with some are friendly and some are cold.
To begin with, this place is again a gem worthy of being discovered. A small restuarant separated into two floors provides for smart and enough seating! The atmosphere is relaxing and service pleasing. The staff is helpful and suggest without being intrusive. We had a French 75 which was excellent. The place is not low priced but timings and sevice make up for it! Do visit!
Prior reservation is recommended at the restaurant as the place is invariably crowded. The staff is friendly and attentive. The food is delicious. The drinks are good but no different than any place else. The ambiance is beautiful with wallpapers and dim lighting. The music is upbeat and trendy. The prices are steep though.
This place is located in a concealed location and one of those quick places.A lot of crowds walk in and therefore it is always difficult to get a seat here, so be prepared. It is advised to make reservations before hand.
The ambiance of the place is very dynamic but warm and cozy too.
The menu on offer too is quite amazing with a great variety drinks on offer. Everything in this place has a signature twist to it.Since so much attention is bestowed, there might be a delay in service.
The prices are not that pocket friendly and so is not your unlimited drink places. In all my time here, i have never had a bad tasting cocktail.
I would recommend the famous St Germain cocktail and let me tell you it is just fantastic, loved it!
It took us about 30 minutes to find this place among this crowded neighborhood and once we got there, it was all worth the wait. The ambiance of this place lively and you can spot the expert cocktail makers doing their job perfectly. We ordered a drink which apparently tasted like a sandwich, and though weird, it tasted fantastic.
One thing to note before visiting this restaurant is to make a reservation, because they're almost always crowded.
I had a wonderful time here. The food is excellent, especially the dumplings. The service is pretty quick and efficient with the staff being quite warm and friendly. The drinks were quite amazing. The ambience is awesome with lovely decor and comfortable seating. I would love to visit this place again and would recommend others to try this as well.
As you are greeted by an ever smiling and pleasant staff, you enter into a space which is glistening with a golden light to make the feel more dramatic. The very step into this place makes you feel royal. You might want to pay through your nose for the services, however as the music makes you feel more pleasurable along with your strong cocktail, you realise that this experience is worth all the pennies!
This place is a real charmer. From having your coat hung up for free you are also guided to your table by a really well trained staff manager. I absolutely fell in love with this place mostly because they change their cocktails every few months. The one negative I would like to state about this place is the fact that you have to pre book a table on the weekends or you might have to wait for a long time.
Though this place is situated in an odd location but once you are inside, you enjoy the experience. The cocktails were just awesome and were priced perfectly as well. The ambience is amazing as most of the crowd is young and interactive and thus, you tend to enjoy yourselves. The service was disappointing as the staff was quite rude and indifferent. Else, everything was fine and would recommend this place for it's cocktails.
It was my second visit which was as amazing as the first one. The ambience is warm and comforting. The staff is quite friendly and attentive and thus, you tend to enjoy yourselves more. Even the crowd was quite good and I had a wonderful time chatting with some people. The cocktails are just amazing. I would love to come back here again.
I recently tried this place and was completely impressed with it. Though I did not try the food but the drinks, especially the cocktails were just amazing. The ambience was pretty cool and comfortable. The staff was quite friendly and attentive. I had a wonderful time here and would love to visit this place again.
The place is posh, and appropriate to go to for a quick luxurious drink. It is not a place for cheap cocktails. It is a great place to enjoy great drinks with a bunch of friends. The staff is a bit inefficient though. The staff is slow and the doorman is a bit strict.
This place was not overcrowded and that is the first thing that I look while I enter any place. The service was great . The waiters were pretty attentive and they were not obstructive at all. The place was clean so I liked the ambiance of this place too. The food was okay. I am not sure but I might give this place another visit.
Love the vibe in this place! Incredibly easy going, great to catch up with friends because the music isn't too loud. Dim lighting really sets the mood. Absolutely love this place! Because it is so hard to find as well, there is a feeling of exclusivity when you arrive, which makes it a lot more special. The drinks too are amazing, some great flavours that you would never think go well together. It is quite expensive, but not too much more than other bars in the area.
Highly recommend this place!
Hidden away in China town I would have never found this speakeasy-style bar with out my friend having been before. Thank goodness for friends who have lived in London their whole lives!! I love china town for the fantastic Chinese food but would never have thought of heading there for a cocktail destination.
Luckily we were meeting friends who were already inside so the doorman let us up straight away. Not sure if its actually hard to get in, or just a ruse to make it more exciting. Either way we happily trotted up the stairs, me having no idea what to expect.
Inside is amazing, so cool, so chic and had such a fun lively atmosphere packed with people all having a good time.
The cocktails were incredible! I had the Get Buck in Here which was very well crafted and the zest the perfect finish to an otherwise very strong drink.
Not cheap at £11-15 pounds for a cocktail however it is well worth it! Save all your pennies from the week and make a night of it we definitely didn't want to leave!
From writing these reviews I've realised I really have a thing for speakeasy style places.
This is a tiny little space that can only take a few people and is clearly very popular. The cocktails are really good with expert bartenders whom are all really friendly and chatty if you are sat at the bar. It's central London prices so do expect to spend £30 for two cocktails (tips included).
But for a bit of a speakeasy vibe and a quality cocktail it's a winner.
Don't think you can book by phone but you can by email. It's hard to find, but near Opium bar.
Makes a China town night out feel glam.
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I'm a huge fan of the original outpost in Paris, but talk of it being difficult to get in has led me to take my business elsewhere thus far.
But it was early-ish on a Wednesday evening, and Natalie was keen to get another point on the leaderboard, so we tidied up our hair, tucked in our shirts, and tied our shoelaces before greeting the bouncer outside ECC Chinatown.
"How many?"
"Two."
"OK"
Well, that wasn't very hard. Up the stairs we went...
I feel a fool for not dropping in before. ECC Chinatown is a stunning candelit cocktail bar spread over two floors, with a DJ spinning funky takes on 20s swing. For a Wednesday night, the atmosphere was phenomenal - tables were packed and the bar was buzzing. We loved the layout that allows you to peer down to tables below through the middle of the stairs, as well as the mirrors above the bar on the first floor.
All of this fun comes at a cost of course, with drinks around the £12 mark. There's also a cover charge of £5 after 11pm, but there won't be many better bars that stay open til 3am in London. If you really want to splash the cash, order one of their Vintage Cocktails that start at £120.
Bartenders were working double time trying to keep up with all the orders, and our drinks were worth the wait:
Popeye's Better Half - Plantation Original Dark Rum, spinach syrup, lemon juice, virgin olive oil, egg white and soda - £12.50
La Medicación - Ocho Blanco tequila, Ramazzotti, St Elizabeth Allspice Dram, agave nectar, ginger syrup, lime syrup & Del Maguey Vida Mezcal Mist - £12
And there's plenty more where that came from, if you can afford it.
We were really impressed with our first visit to ECC, and with Talented Mr Fox and Opium a stone's throw away, Chinatown is bizarrely a real destination for cocktail lovers. It will take all of your willpower not to stop off somewhere for Chinese food afterwards...
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I totally forgot about a whirlwind night I had where I ended up at the Experimental Cocktail Club in Chinatown. While I have experienced dining out at a variety of restaurants in London, I’m still not sure where to go to find a 'speakeasy' style bar that serves good cocktails. I could give you a list of amazing bars in New York where the bartenders serve cocktails like they are works of art but in London, I’m quite clueless and have vague notions of making it across to Purl someday.
So I was thrilled to bits to be outside the door of ECC late on a Friday night and get in without much of a fuss. I tried to take pictures but it was too dark and I was too inebriated to care. Luckily they made an excellent Pisco Sour though the Gin Fizz was not up to the mark. Or maybe I’ve just been spoilt by my cousin M renditions of it - he's pretty much perfected the art of making a Ramos Gin Fizz. I remember one night when he was behind the bar at Amor & Amargo (a fantastic bitters bar in the East Village), I downed so many Gin Fizzes, I was floating on air by the end of it. A Ramos makes you feel like that....hence, name of blog :)
So if you love cocktails and find yourself in Soho and don’t want to night to end, walk along Gerrad street past the Chinese restaurants till you find a random door with a bouncer glaring at you and walk on up and try the Pisco Sour.
A perfect spot for cocktails enthusiasts. Perfect for an after dinner drink
Good cocktails, funky atmosphere. Quite hidden so better look for the map. Can get shooed from the doorman if its Friday, or Saturday night and you're not accompanied.
Nice hidden place. Nice cocktail but overpriced. Staff and crowd attitude is very arrogant and 'exclusive'. However, it's perfect place for a romantic date and it's cool to have nice place like that in Lindon.
I've been here once, the last time I was in London. But I'm sure I'll visit ECC every time I'm in London, now on. The atmosphere, the specially prepared one of a kind cocktails which are more of an experience than a plain drink - everything is so appealing. The system of reserving a table for your group of friends prevents the place from getting stuffy and the prices make the place somewhat exclusive.
Also, I'm aware of social groups such as the Turtleneck Club, gathering for their special event evening at this Chinatown hot spot!
My review should make you want to visit ECC once. When you do, the place itself will beckon you the next time.
I'm a huge fan. Experimental Cocktail Club, better known as ECC, is a great London gettaway and does well at creating that 'hipster' / exclusive West London vibe - which is definitely a trend that is picking up. The cocktails are great (what a surprise right), but more than that the atmosphere makes the place. Small and quaint, on 2 floors and always an interesting crowd. You need to reserve a table but you can always blag your way in pretending that you have a friend upstairs - persistence works! Go to Apotheke in NYC - its even bette.r
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Experimental Cocktail Club (ECC) can be challenging to find by who has not yet had the chance to pass by this unique bar. For information, the place is hidden at the end of the China town street (Gerrard St) parallel to Shaftsbury Avenue, right next to the restaurant called the Four Seasons. The entry door is really underplayed so keep a look out for the tall bouncer often standing next to a shady looking door, you're nearly there. Walking in ECC for the first time is a fantastic experience. The place is really nicely done up over three floors. Decoration is warm, mysterious and classy. The cocktails are to be honest sublime and completely original. I couldn't point at one is particular as these are always being updated. To summarise the affair, ECC's cocktails are in with the best in London. Like all good things, drinks do not come cheap at ECC. This is probably the biggest negative to the place. However, do not hesitate to shell out as in ECC's case you ARE getting your value for money.
My advice: An absolute corker. Do not miss out if you are going out in Central London.
Enjoy!
This place was once great, and although it's changed, it's still pretty special. They're open till late and the fee at the door (usually 5£) is pretty low. The cocktails are great, and you can expect live music on tuesdays. I usually go for the sidecar, but the barman is able to pull anything out of his cap. It's a great art deco style bar, and although the seating and space is tight, it's still in my top 5.
I frequented the ECC a lot when it first opened. A great little speakeasy in China Town, this place offers some of the best cocktails in London, but you will pay top dollar. Often they have live jazz which is great but does take up half the space one of the floors. Despite being on several floors, this is a small place and it they let in a limited amount of people which is equally good and bad, depending on which side of the door you are.
The bartenders (or more accurately, mixologists) are very friendly and are extremely skilled and concocting different drinks to suit your taste and mood.
Overall, the crowd has changed a little (now a lot more city bankers then there used to be) and it is not half as fun as it's Parisian counterpart, but it sure does give you a good drink.
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The ECC is a hidden den for all mixology lovers. A conspicuous doorway in the middle of Chinatown guarded by stout bouncers, the entrance is not so obvious to the unknowing eye. I half expected there to be a secret code to get in.
Once in, the bar is divided into two tiny floors with barely any place to sit or stand. The interiors are rather dark and lined with red carpeting & upholstery. If you are less than 4 people, you can make reservations but it is difficult to accommodate large parties here. Be warned that they serve no food and cocktails are 11 quids on average.
The cocktails are superbly fabulous in taste and refreshingly creative in nomenclature (I'm A Peach, Tiger's Milk, etc.) I would go back again and again to see the master mixologists at work. The 'La Medicacion' is my favourite - the base poison is plantation Trinidad rum with a few tea-infused liquors shaken and served in an old tincture bottle. Yes, you read that right. From that medicine bottle, you pour the contents into your beautiful whiskey cut-glass (just like at home) full of ice chunks. The experience, more than anything else is completely worth the wait.
Well, at least we know just what the doctor ordered!
P.S. I find it hilarious that the health rating is 1 as the cocktail bar is perfectly sanitized with spirits :-) Pun intended.
Great variety of cocktails, funny bartenders, cool decor. They have mirrors on the ceiling so you can watch the people walk by on the street! My favorite was the kota ternate, which was like a clarified milk punch with coconut and pineapple. When I went there were less than 10 customers there, and I preferred that more intimate vibe—I don’t think I would have had as much fun if they were super busy!
Lovely little spot in the heart of Chinatown. The doorman is always a gentleman. Staff inside are attentive and friendly. Cocktails and music are on point.
Great night at the ECC - amazing cocktails and a fab atmosphere. I particularly enjoyed the Saint Germain Des Pres cocktail, using #Sipsmith London Dry Gin. Sipsmith's smooth and aromatic liquid was ideal for the delicate cocktail. Lovely staff too - overall a great experience!
the atmosphere is absolutely amazing. i'm at a loss for words about the cocktails, all that i've tried were so interesting...
however, the live music was awful. please find artists more fitting to the environment, because acoustic covers of pop songs ruins the magic of this place. we were going to get a third round of drinks, but decided not to because of the bad music.
i will definitely be coming back, but i really hope that the music will be better.
Great vibes and great cocktails. I would come dressed well.
Our waitress and bar tender were fantastic!
It was really nice. My friend and I stopped by on Friday evening for some drinks, we didn’t have a booking but it didn’t seem to be a problem! Nice atmosphere, lovely staff. My glass of water was always topped up without me even having to ask. Great experience.
In Central London if you haven't tried a Chinese eating place then you didn't experience cuisine in London, in my opinion.
Visit Soho and the areas around to find more London style Chinese cuisine.
When we visited this restaurant the service was quick, portions were great, crowd was awesome and food was as tasteful as expected.
Roasted Duck is one of my favourite Chinese preparations and if you get that right in my books, it's a wonderful world.
Chinese restaurant people usually seem rude but they aren't rude, they are just doing their job and work extremely hard.
We enjoyed everything and luckily didn't wait in the que like so many others. Yes, it has a long long que on busy days.
♿️⚠️ The entrance is quite narrow with a staircase going straight up with 10-15 stairs. The seating isn't too bad they have low tables and a bit of room when it isn't busy but beware it can get busy fast!
Great little hidden spot in Chinatown, wouldn't make it my usual cocktail spot as it's hard to get a seat if you haven't booked and they can be quite expensive, usually around £13-15.
However the service is great and would be a great place to take visitors or friends that haven't seen it before.
I really like this place as it is so hidden away in Soho amidst the buzz of the city. The service is great, the drinks amazing and ambience super fun. The live DJ played some chill tracks and made it even more enjoyable. The signature cocktails are incredible and worth the price!
When colleagues come into town this is one of my fav spots to take them to as it's a cool little speakeasy with great staff and amazing cocktails. Would highly recommend for happy hour, date night, and on the weekends it gets a bit lively.
I haven't been to this place in years but I'm so happy that the standard of drinks, service and atmosphere has not skipped a beat. I'm a little reluctant to sing its praises with the fear that other people will find out about it but so be it. The service in particular was fantastic!!!!
Some of the best drinks I’ve had in London! The vibe is quite chill and intimate
This place had some amazing cocktails and a mint DJ on Saturday night. The overall experience was outstanding and I will definitely be returning.
Amazing, cute little speakeasy bar tucked away in Chinatown. Not very easy to find, there are no signages. The bouncer/security won't let you in unless you specifically ask for the place. Loved the cocktails here. I was told one of the cocktail on the menu takes almost two days to make (its a milk based cocktail). Very lively on weekends with long queues.
Great place with a fun atmosphere. A little hidden with no number on the door but that's the point of a speakeasy, right? Small bar area with some low tables against the window and sides. Staff was attentive but not overly in your face every minute which was great. Great cocktail menu with some twists on classic favorites. I had the Hokusai while my friend had the Chichibeo. Both were good and would get again.
I've been to Experimental Cocktail Club many times and never be disappointed. The cocktail menu is imaginative but if you don't find what you want, the mixologists will happily make the cocktail of choice to a very high standard. I love the ambience and music and everyone I've brought with me has returned more than once. Definitely worth a visit. Look up for the arched window.
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