Ahh Cocktails. Now I know I keep on harping on about them, but as a bar reviewer I do have an excuse – kinda. I have to sample cocktails, it’s my job, right... right?

Whatever. The fact is I’m a big fan of a cocktail. That said, I do think it’s a real shame that so many bars are bodging their concoctions. Admittedly these are usually cheap versions – but syrup is never an adequate substitute for real fruit, and no, never use white sugar in a mojito.

And such is the difficult part of being a bar reviewer – you have to try some pretty awful cocktails. I won’t name any names, but I went to a bar once and they offered me mint liqueur in my mojito instead of fresh mint leaves. Really. Needless to say, I ordered a vodka and diet coke …

Mahiki. It’s ever the favourite on the London bar and club scene, proving ever popular with celebrities, royalty and the glitterati. Often packed to the rafters with the young, attractive moneyed types dipping into their trust funds, they have fast become rather famed for their cocktails – a £100 Treasure Chest anyone? Oh and don’t forget their Pieces of 8 cocktail (see A Real Treasure at Mahiki).

I know, I know, sometimes you’re just not up for all that ra-ra-ra-ing and you just fancy a taste of Mahiki without having to get trussed up to the nines. And that’s where the new Mahiki …

Well this month is either a pub-goers delight or bar-hoppers hell depending on your point of view. It’s the time when sports widows (that’s guys and gals) lament the temporary parting of their loved ones as they arrange their whole lives around the schedules of sporting games.

That’s right – we’ll have all got used to the numerous Euro 2008 games over the last couple of weeks. I did think it was going to suck considering that England didn’t even qualify, but I have to admit that, on occasion, Euro 2008 bars in London have had a certain addictive atmosphere. It must be a chemistry thing – all that testosterone is bound to have an effect …

Ahh there’s nothing I like better that drinking a nice smooth beer (OK, glass of wine) outside on a hot summer’s day in Soho – watching some of the most exciting people traffic in London wash by.

Now, for one ker-azy second, imagine an alternative reality. A reality where there was no outside drinking allowed across Westminster (yes, that includes the area of Soho)… Well that’s insane, almost as stupid as, say, banning drinking on tubes… ahem.

Well this may actually one day be a reality. A petition to Gordon Brown is already up and live on the Government’s website requesting he resist a current suggested ban on all outdoor drinking in Soho. Yes, that’s the famous Soho that’s known for its slightly seedy undertones – but that’s its whole …

Happy birthday Nelson Mandela! As Mr Mandela turns an impressive 90 years of age on 18th July the world (and us Londoners) will be helping to celebrate with the massive Nelson Mandela Birthday Concert being held in his honour on 27th June. You can buy tickets for just £65 to see the frankly ridiculously cool line-up of pretty much everyone you can imagine.

If you’re not lucky enough to bag tickets, however, there are other ways to raise a glass to celebrate. The Lobby Bar at the Cavendish Hotel has specially created a 46664 cocktail to honour Nelson Mandela’s …