Be aware: when searching for The Zetter Townhouse, Google-Map is not your friend; it seems convinced that the emerging cocktail bar is located within a rather officious looking block of flats. Resisting clawing at someone's office door and calling for cocktails, we eventually uncovered that the bar is located in the charming unnamed building opposite.

 The Zetter Townhouse cocktail lounge is an intriguing collaboration betwen the Zetter Hotel, chef Bruno Loubet and the creators of the speakeasy style cocktail bar 69 Colebrook Row. The interior is intimate  yet relaxed and unpretentious with comfortable arm chairs in lieu of bar-stools; this was of particular delight to me as one who enjoys curling up on items of furniture. And, unless one is a kitten, one cannot curl on a bar stool. Large windows let the light stream into the room ensuring that on a warm summer evening, we did not feel we were secreted away in the dark indoors. Conversely, in the winter, the venue adapts to provide a large open fire crackling in the grate. Here you can comfortably hark back to centuries ago where technology was but mere sorcery and there was seldom a better evening spent than just sitting by the fire and animatedly debating the ways of the world (this had the added plus of being a Bieber-free world). Indeed, situated in Clerkenwell, The Zetter Townhouse is aptly located right in the centre of former Dickensian London.

Continuing the throwback to the past, an apothecary style counter serves cocktails inspired by old recipies for tinctures, bitters and herbal remedies in addition to some delicious home-made cordials. Light bites and supper bowls accompany the cocktail menu to ensure guests are fully satiated. The signature cocktails contained unique collaborations of ingredients which, in both senses of the word, made a refreshing change. The Fig French 75 (Fig-infused cognac, lemon juice and champagne) was a notable highlight with  The Master at Arms (Rum, port evapoation and home made grenadine) coming a close second. These small touches such as the home-made cordials, syrups and grenadine make such a perceptible difference from the usual mass produced bars and pubs that pepper the city. Moreover, the venue is also uniquely decorated with oddities and curios which make exploring the room and its intricacies just as enjoyable as the drinking experience itself.

As I've said before, London can be a difficult place to navigate with all the myriad things to do here. If you'd like to visit somewhere where you can enjoy some sophisticated cocktails within a relaxed old world Dickensian style atmosphere, the Zetter Townhouse is a great choice. Channel your inner Oliver Twist and stop on by*.

* This comparison may not be strictly accurate. At no point in Oliver Twist did he imbibe any cocktails. Although this would explain why he kept breaking into song...

To find out more about The Zetter Townhouse, please click here.