The credentials
The Coral Room is a cocktail bar attached to the Bloomsbury Hotel, just a short walk from Bloomsbury Square and Tottenham Court Road. Walking up to the hotel, the sight of the entrance alone is enough to make my companion gasp in awe. Lit up in the autumn sky, the Coral Room oozes grandeur and warmth.
The style
First thing to say is that the coral room is coral; a gorgeous, rich coral throughout. Lit with mood lighting, its structure and Art Deco interiors make it feel like a 1920s speakeasy. The tall ceilings and spacious layout make me think of summer evenings on verandas; cigarettes and glamour. The cocktail bar, situated in the Bloomsbury Hotel, is elegant with a modern twist: tropical plants, Art Nouveau paintings and chandeliers made out of baubles. The artist, Luke Edward Hall, was commissioned to create a selection of original art work, depicting Bloomsbury and all its notoriety in the early 1900s. It is a sight to behold, and perhaps my ideal living room.
The crowd
There are mainly millennials; post-work drinkers in their thirties with big hats and lovely makeup. The guests are as stylish and cool as the interiors are, and it’s very Instagrammable. There are young couples, groups of friends (from the same household) and of course, a variety of hotel guests from the Bloomsbury.
The drink
We asked the waitress for recommendations, based on our favourite classic cocktails, and she obliged with selections that did not disappoint. With our cocktails, we’re served a bowl of wasabi peas (with a spoon for safety.) I ordered the Mayday Spritz, a delicious, floral cocktail that comes in a champagne saucer. The apricot honey water gave off caramelised notes, and it was topped with Ridgeview Bloomsbury sparking wine. My guest ordered the Cheshire Punch, woody and.. well, punchy.. in a gorgeous stone cup. The whiskey-based cocktail was oaky but with a perfectly sweet balance, with Cheshire Black tea and citrus.
The entire cocktail list was wonderfully inventive, and I have no doubt that whatever I’d asked for – even if it wasn’t on the menu – they’d have been able to make one that rivalled anywhere in London – it’s just that sort of place.
The details
16-22 Great Russell St, Bloomsbury, London WC1B 3NN
info@thecoralroom.co.uk
www.thecoralroom.co.uk
