It goes without saying that you should never mix your drinks.
Unless you like cocktails.
And if you do, where better to indulge your appreciation than within the fusty environs of what used to be Reverend JW Simpson’s Goodge Street dwelling?
Many places, you’d think. Especially as its interior is a mishmash of peeling wallpaper, tiled floors and battered wooden walls which, together, leave the clear impression of a flat that’s recently burnt down.
But actually the good Reverend’s dimly-lit, humble abode perfectly serves its purpose, metaphorically punching every chintzy cocktail bar in the face by allowing its drinks to do the talking. Drinks like the Paris-Brest, combining Discarded Chardonnay vodka with pineau de Charantes, crème de noisette and praline cream; and the Babka, Baby!, ingeniously shaking butter-washed vodka with vanilla, cream, egg, and PX sherry.
Up until the pandemic, Reverend JW Simpson was run by the team at Bourne & Hollingsworth, but they’ve recently given the keys to their former bar manager and cocktail creator, Rhidian Turner. A couple of drinks on the menu are inspired by tales he’s heard and characters he’s met over the years… being the raconteur you are, it’s only a matter of time before your name appears on the menu.
Finally, there’s an open piano in the corner. They leave it open mainly because the keys are inside, but also in the hope that you might choose to take a seat and entertain the other guests.
But obviously if you’d rather perform your usual number (the legendary “Walking Past and Hitting a Few of The Keys, Because I Can’t Play Anything”) then that’ll be fine too.
NOTE: Reverend JW Simpson is open Wed-Sat. You can just turn up, or book a table HERE.
Reverend JW Simpson | 32 Goodge Street, W1T 2QJ
Enjoy cocktail drinking dens? Check out our guide to the best London cocktail bars
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Carpe Diem!