Our journey starts in deepest, darkest Mayfair.
To our left is Claridges. To our right, the ultra-high-end boutiques of New Bond Street. And in front of us is a handsome green door advertising the services of an apothecary…
Step inside, and allow yourself to be drawn down a plush, carpeted staircase, and you’ll be decanted out into a lavishly appointed subterranean cocktail bar. This is Mr Fogg’s Apothecary, the latest pin in the map for the burgeoning Fogg’s empire, which now consists of Mr Fogg’s Residence, Mr Fogg’s Tavern, Mr Fogg’s House of Botanicals, and Mr Fogg’s Society of Exploration, among others. And in the spirit of giving each new outpost a sense of its own individual identity (while naturally remaining cloaked in the group’s signature outfit of gloriously quirky Victoriana), the Apothecary is setting itself apart from the others by leaning very firmly into its cocktails…
As you head inside, you’ll see walls covered in ancient-looking bottles for potions, elixirs, medicines, and other such wonderfully evocative bric-a-brac like leather doctor’s bags & antique ointments. Sitting below them you’ll find an extremely comfortable assortment of patterned & upholstered sofas & armchairs, plus grandfather clocks, and botanical images lining the walls, all smartly laid out so as to make you feel like you’re in something like a thoroughly old-fashioned living room.
Tucked away at the back is the Elixir Room. This part feels slightly more like a private members club, with a trio of recessed alcoves, and its own private bar carved out of the wall at the end. In fact, it even has its own separate entrance on the street, making it effectively a separate bar entirely… and a very good option for a birthday bash.
Now, about those drinks. As we mentioned, this particular Fogg’s venue takes its cocktails quite seriously, as evidenced by the menu, which features the likes of:
Quack’s Compound – a refreshing gin-based number with lemon verbena liqueur & bergamot syrup cut through with a little lime juice. It’s served in a spherical chemistry-style flask suspended over a cooling mist of dry ice.
Soaked in Ether – this punchy, fruit-forward drink brings together rum, cherry liqueur, pomegranate, pineapple, lime, and ginseng underneath a bubble of smoke which theatrically pops the moment you touch it.
Frenchman’s Constitution – this earthy concoction starts with cognac, and is topped up with whiskey, Grand Marnier, and root bitters, which you can pour yourself from the chilled bottle it’s mixed in.
Eyes Wide Open – a refreshing combo of beeswax-infused tequila with corn liqueur, honey water and smoked sea salt, all topped with a lemon mist.
Coco Pro Quo – a booze-free, yet nevertheless lively blend of Devant New Dawn Aromatic & Citrus non-alcoholic spirit, matcha & rice milk, coconut water and pandan leaf syrup.
Of course, you can find all of the Mr Fogg’s regular drinks on the list, too if you’re after something more familiar. And if you really want to feel at home? You can keep your very own bottle of spirits on hand at all times under lock & key in one of their private drinks locker.
You can call it your medicine cabinet.
NOTE: Mr Fogg’s Apothecary is open now, Tues-Sat. You can find out more, and make a booking at their website right here.
Mr Fogg’s Apothecary | 34 Brook St, W1K 5DH
Like something to eat with those? Drop into one of the best restaurants in Mayfair…