Menu

Best Bars in London

Hokus Pokus Alchemy Lab Takes Inspirations from 19th-Century Quack Doctors

Hokus Pokus Alchemy Lab Takes Inspiration from 19th-Century Quack Doctors

, , , , , , , , , , , , , 0

Taking inspiration from 19th-centruy quack doctors, Hokus Pokus Alchemy Lab transports you to a retro-futuristic Victorian steampunk world with chopper pipes, visible electrical circuits and intriguing light and fog effects mixed with 19th-century apothecary and British esoteric literature.

 

@urbanadventurerldn

đŸ§Ș🔼đŸč @Hokus Pokus Alchemy Lab is inspired by 19th-century quack doctors #hokuspokusbar #hokuspokuslondon #hokuspokus #alchemylab #alchemylabs #bestbarsinlondon #cocktailsinlondon #weekendplans #nightoutwithfriends #nightoutlondon #nightiutwiththegirls #weekendnightout #cocktailtime #londoncocktails #urbanadventures #londonadventures #londonblogger #screammovie

♬ Witchy – NOCThrasher

 

Inspired by 19th-Century Quack Doctors

 

Hokus Pokus Alchemy Lab is Inspired by Quack Doctors

Photo: Urban Adventurer

 

Hokus Pokus Alchemy Lab is taking inspiration from 19th-century quack doctors who invented ‘magic medications’ by embracing the latest technological and chemical discoveries with the aim to cure all disease.

One of the most famous quack doctors was James Morison who opened ‘British College of Health’ in 1828 just a couple of doors away from where Hokus Pokus is today. Morison claimed to have found a miracle universal vegetable that cures all disease based on botanical compounds. He prepared pills from the said vegetable to be swallowed with lemonade.

 

The Atmosphere

 

Hokus Pokus King's Cross

Photo: Urban Adventurer

 

 

 Hokus Pokus has a unique atmosphere like no other bars in London. Designed by British artist and designer, Henry Chebaane, the lab is a mix of Victorian-style steampunk engine room with apothecary furnishing. Alchemy books, medical glasses, and oddities are on display behind the windows of large wooden cabinets. Theatrical lighting and artificial fog enhance the whole experience.

 

Focusing on Botanicals

 

Blueberry Tequila at Hokus Pokus Alchemy Lab

Blueberry Tequila

Photo: Urban Adventurer

 

 Today, Hokus Pokus use botanicals in distilled form, instead of pill form (for their customers’ pleasure). When it comes to creating cocktails, the team is as sustainable as possible: they use every single part of the fruit for syrup, juice or just for garnishing.

There are a wide variety of drinks on the menu, from season-inspired to smokey to flamed potions. Most of the cocktails are customisable, so you can design yours exactly how you like it. As a result, no two cocktails are the same and there are endless variations to try.

 

Recipes from the Past

 

Cocktail and Mocktail at Hokus Pokus Alchemy Lab

‘Blueberry Tequila’ cocktail and ‘Fizzy Pokus’ mocktail

Photo: Urban Adventurer

 

 

Feeling adventurous? Why not try some of the revise recipes of prescriptions from the past? ‘Hokus Pokus in Japan’ for example is a Sake based drink, combined with Yuzu juice, citrus elixir, and pomegranate syrup.

Alcohol free potions are also available for those who want to avoid alcoholic prescriptions. ‘Fizzy Pokus’ for instance is a refreshing blend of grapefruit juice and citrus elixir, pomegranate potion and soda.

 

Perfect Location

 

Hokus Pokus Alchemy Lab - King's Cross

Photo: Urban Adventurer

 

 Located in the very heart of London, Hokus Pokus is perfect for after-work drink, night-out with friends or late-night cocktail destination.

Walk-ins accepted.

 

Practical Info

 

Photo: Urban Adventurer

 

 

Address

1 Belgrove St, London WC1H 8AB

Opening Times

Monday: CLOSED

Tue-Thurs: 6pm-12am

Fri & Sat: 6pm-1am

Sun: CLOSED

 

 

Ready for your next adventure? Redeem your soul! Located near Victoria Station, Purgatory Bar is serving devilish cocktails and invites you for an immersive escape room experience: seal the Gate of Hell to prevent demons ascending from Hell to Earth.

 

The Churchill Bar

The Churchill Bar

, , , , , , , , , 0

“Attitude is a little thing, that makes a big difference”

— Sir Winston Churchill

Unusual place to drink cocktail in London - The Churchill Bar

The Churchill Bar & Terrace is an exquisite bar named after Sir Winston Churchill following his death in 1965. The bar is dedicated to the memory and deeds of a Prime Minister whose political career lasted over 60 years and whose legacy and historical impact are still with us in the 21st century.

The bar and terrace have given the blessing of Churchill’s extended family being named after their ancestor.

The Delicate DĂ©cor

The Churchill family even helped with the dĂ©cor of the bar and terrace. The dĂ©cor recognised Churchill’s life in art, black & white photography, books, soft toy animals and original love letters sent by Winston Churchill to his beloved wife, Clementine.

This map showcases Churchill’s trips to different countries during his political career.

Map that shows Churchill's travels - The Churchill Bar London

Love letters Sir Winston Churchill and his wife, Clementine sent to each other.

Letters Churchill wrote to his wife - The Churchill Bar

The Atmosphere

Where to drink cocktail in London - The Churchill Bar

The whole atmosphere creates the feeling that Sir Winston Churchill and Clementine would have enjoyed visiting.

Churchill always bought books when travelling, thus The Churchill Bar’s library offers a selection of carefully selected books about, among others, literature, art, travel and politics, Sir Winston Churchill would have found fascinating.

The Churchill Bar London

As a result, the whole décor truly represents the life and spirit of this extraordinary man, who was not just a Prime Minister but a writer, an aristocrat, a bon vivant (lover of fine things in life), a traveller, an artist, a gardener, a husband and a father.

You can discover all of these characteristics in The Churchill Bar signature cocktail menu.

 

The Signature Cocktails

“I made a rule never to take strong drink before lunch. It is now my rule never to do so before breakfast.”

— Sir Winston Churchill

Themed cocktail at The Churchill Bar

The Churchill Bar reflects the Churchill family rich heritage not only in its décor but also in their menu.

The signature cocktails change in every 6 months and inspired by Sir Winston Churchill’s public and private life. Each cocktail is made from carefully selected ingredients, many of them made inhouse.

On studying the cocktail menu, we can find interesting facts and moments about Churchill’s life and how those facts inspired the cocktails.

The Cigar Smoker Cocktail

I chose The Cigar Smoker signature cocktail because Churchill is unimaginable without his favourite cigar: Romeo y Julieta between his teeth.

Roasted green pepper, grapefruit Oleo-saccharum, tomato shrub and salted cacao husk brew and other selected ingredients create a perfectly balanced cocktail experience. An aromatic ‘smoke bubble’ on top represents Churchill’s cherish cigars and his – as once he said – “sacred rites smoking cigars.”

 

“My rule of life prescribed as an absolutely sacred rite smoking cigars.”

– Sir Winston Churchill

 

The Cigars

The Churchill Bar has an exclusive cigar collection that, no need to mention, contains Sir Winston Churchill’s favourite, Romeo y Julieta.

The cigars are kept in a locked cabinet because they need to be kept in a temperature- and humid controlled environment in order to preserve them in perfect condition.

The Terrace

Churchill Bar Terrace

The Terrace changes its decoration and furniture over the seasons from tropical garden to cozy Winter hideaway.

Artwork of Winston Churchill hang on the walls created by the British cartoonist, Zoom Rockman. Each satiric cartoon depicts a moment from Churchill’s public and private life.

Churchill's Statue at The Churchill Bar

To make the outdoor terrace more special, a Winston Churchill bronze sculpture sits on the sofa waiting for visitors to take photos and have a drink with.

 

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”

—    Sir Winston Churchill

Cheers!

 

Ready for your next adventure? Dine at the same spot as The Beatles did.

Terms and Conditions - Privacy Policy