In Three Words: Unique, Passionate, Legendary
Ask a straw poll of people on the bar scene the place they like to drink, or where they’ve shaken a libation or two, and there is a chance that one name will crop up time and again – LAB. This institution of the cocktail world is a firm favourite with both industry giants and the drinking public, thanks to its illustrious past, its approach to innovation and the bags of fun that a night here brings.
The name LAB is perhaps slightly deceptive – or at least, won’t stand for what one assumes. Passers-by might think it refers to a hub of liquid creativity – a space akin to a laboratory, where research and experiments take place to perfect the art of the cocktail. Actually, it’s an acronym for London Academy of Bartenders. When it first opened back in 1996, it was intended as a training academy, and this approach to honing skills has stayed prevalent ever since it reinvented itself as a bar a few years later. In the past fifteen years it’s continued to wow with the sheer scope of the menu, and more than a few famous cocktails are associated with LAB – not least the Porn Star Martini, invented by LAB’s founder Douglas Ankrah.
Your Plus One:
Bring a friend who always goes for the boring option on the menu, and watch their mind be boggled by the incredible range of drinks on offer. Then while away the hours in the subterranean basement bar, and get thoroughly sloshed in style as you try to work your way through the impressive cocktail list.
The Decor:
LAB bar has a definite seventies theme that will instantly get you in the mood to groove. Upstairs a large bar dominates the space, complete with funky wallpaper and glowing neon. Downstairs continues with the retro nostalgia, perfect for letting the cares of the world disappear.
Ambience:
LAB is all about having a good time – there’s even a no tie policy, which we love. It’s a favourite after-shift drinking place in the industry, so there’s always a great vibe. Just reading the cocktail menu will have you smiling – whether you’re laughing over the Banana Wacky Baccy or the Jack & the Beefstock.
Cocktail Highlights:
The thing with LAB is that practically everything on the menu is a highlight, and so you’ll want to try it all. But here lies the rub, because you’d need to be carted out in a wheelbarrow if you try. The menu boasts an incredible hundred drinks (or there about), and they all sound divine.
We are like, SO in love with Mezcal with at the moment (isn’t everybody?) and LAB have created a drink that caters to this smoky spirit. The Dark & Smokey mixes mezcal with Velvet Falernum, the warmth of ginger cordial, and the zing of grapefruit, finished with egg white for a silky texture and chocolate bitters – these balance the lingering hazy bonfire taste of the mezcal with a little richness.
Fans of Woodford Reserve can do no better than the Wood Pop – this sweet and decadent cocktail uses passion fruit and a sprinkle of black pepper, while Frangelico makes for a hazelnut softness that had us hankering for more. Instagram nerds with love the Pear Drop – the fanned garnish is something special, while the taste is a superb trip down memory lane to those sugary, addictive sweets. And if you adore peanut butter there’s only one answer – the Peanut Colada. Looking like something that should be served to George in the Jungle in his awesome tree-house, it’s a decadent and completely more-ish combo of PB infused Bacardi rum, milk, cream and Coco Lopez, served frappe to double as a dessert.
Burning a Hole?
Cocktails at LAB hover around the £8.50 mark, which, given the quality and inventiveness, are an absolute steal. All the more chance to try as many as possible…
Overall:
One question you might ask, upon staggering out of LAB, is ‘how do they do it?’ I mean, they’ve been creating incredible cocktail menus for fifteen years now, and yet still manage to keep things exciting. And this is with a list that is about ten times as long as the usual offering. It really is testament to the ingenuity of the team that they are keeping up their record of providing awesome drinks, with tongue in cheek frivolity that delights fans. Manager Marco is continuing the good work, and don’t be surprised if, every now and then, you stumble into a fun event that’s being held, or a random celebration. For cocktails, craziness, and conviviality galore, there is no better place in Soho than LAB.
@LABSoho