First things first: Bar Kinky is not what you think it is.
Unless you’re picturing a tiny, submarine-like capsule slung below a fusion Georgian dumpling restaurant in Fitzrovia. In which case, it’s exactly what you think it is.
The dumpling restaurant in question is Kinkally, which catapults the Georgian staple into the 21st century with non-traditional fillings like wagyu with peppercorn plum sauce and rabbit with foie gras mousse & fennel chutney. It’s sleek, industrial, and every bit as close to a date spot as a dumpling restaurant could ever hope to be.
If you’re just popping by for a drink, however, or a little post-dumpling nightcap, you’ll want to head downstairs to Bar Kinky.
It’s a gorgeous space: a shimmering, copper vault with room for half a dozen around its central island bar. The red glow of the lighting, and the intimate space makes it feel slightly illicit, in the best way.
Pull back the curtain and pull up a stool, and you’ll get front row seats to watch the bartenders in action, led by Andrew Pruts. He cut his teeth at Moscow’s Insider, which joined the World’s 50 Best Bars list at #13 (the highest ever position for a brand new opening). He’s applying the futuristic approach of his alma mater to the menu here, right down to a reverence for the ice – which is shaped by one dedicated member of the team.
And as for the drinks themselves? They’re all seriously inventive, and not afraid to push some boundaries – the Diva, for example, mingles East London Vodka with beetroot, walnut, and blue cheese. But there’s also the silky Vision, with whiskey, basil, coconut, horchata, & milk tea; and the Nature, a surprisingly sweet concoction of bourbon, porcini mushrooms, honey & sherry. And of course, they’ll happily make any classic you care to challenge them with.
All told, there’s 14 signature concoctions on the menu here, so it’s understandable that you might want to make repeat visits to sample as much of the menu as possible…
…no kink-shaming.
NOTE: Bar Kinky is open Wednesday to Saturday from 5.30pm – midnight (12.30am Fri & Sat). It’s walk-in only – find out more on the Kinkally website.
Bar Kinky | 43 Charlotte Street, London W1T 1RS
Making a night of it? Head to one of the best restaurants in Central London