Here’s a juicy piece of news: Blood Orange Bar, a seductively atmospheric cocktail spot, has just opened below one of West London’s best gastros.
That gastro is called The Orange, and it’s been a Belgravia icon literally for centuries. It’s currently in its heyday though, thanks in part to having a kitchen overseen by Ben Tish, who just so happens to be one of the most talented chefs of his generation, having opened places like Norma.
Blood Orange Bar itself (or ‘BOB’ to its friends) is accessed via an innocuous little side door around the corner from the pub’s grand main entrance. From there, you’ll slip downstairs into the subterranean speakeasy below, where you’ll find an alluringly chic, low-lit space dominated by deep burnt-orange banquettes & oxblood leather chairs, all separated by heavy velvet curtains. The oak-panelled walls and pressed-tin ceiling all collude to create a gorgeous vintage vibe, too.
On the cocktail menu, you can score yourself the likes of a Queen’s Paloma (made with premium mezcal, agave, pink grapefruit soda, lime, rosemary, and of course orange marmalade); the Boto Dry Martini (made with dry gin, Noilly Prat, lime, and nori seaweed); and the Sour Cherry Negroni, which blends Luxardo sour cherry gin with Campari, Antica Formula, and tobacco bitters. Sounds moreish.
And of course, Ben Tish will be flexing his culinary muscles with dishes like wildfarmed focaccia, seasonal oysters, charcuterie, cheeses, salt cod croquettes with romesco, and house pickles & ferments. Want something a little larger? They’ve got a wood-charged oven firing out pizzas with everything from grilled aubergines & chilli honey, to lamb ragu with sumac, or black figs with mascarpone & sage.
And as a final cherry on top of it all, there are plans for a whole calendar of vinyl nights with some top-shelf DJs & record stores too.
Sounds good.
NOTE: You can find out more and make a booking at the Blood Orange Bar website.
PREVIOUS PERK: Nudge Members +1 enjoyed a secret golden hour, with 50% off cocktails between 5pm-8pm. Don’t miss the next one – start your free Nudge Member trial.
Blood Orange Bar | Underneath The Orange, 37-39 Pimlico Road, SW1W 8NE
Want dinner first? Here are the best restaurants in Victoria.