A
new speakeasy has arrived in style in SE1. The Bermondsey Arts Club is an art-deco hub of smooth jazz and even smoother cocktails. We must admit, after circling ourselves for some time, we finally found the BAC…and yes, it was that toilet we walked past five times! The former public conveniences are set in the middle of the road just of Bermondsey Street, and still look the same as they did in the Victorian era. What lies beneath is a whole different story.The dimly-lit cavern is pretty snazzy. The original tiles glimmer against the amber light, with no hint of urinal block filling the air. What was once the toilets solid marble cubicles are now the surfaces of the low tables, high benches and the decadent bar, filled with homemade mixers sourced with ingredients from nearby Borough Market and all manners of liquor.
The season menu has lots to offer, if you’re a fan of smoky, sweet cocktails then ‘Hit and Mist, presented in a capped smoke filled glass is the one for you. A speakeasy wouldn’t be complete with a Negroni and BAC have mastered theirs. Served in a small brown bottle it would be the perfect night cap to take home…ours didn’t even make the walk to the tube.
The Bermondsey Arts club is a real hidden gem, literally! And we’d like to keep it that way…so don’t all get lost at once.
102 Tower Bridge Rd, London, SE1 4PT
www.bermondseyartsclub.co.uk