Beyond the spiral staircase of the glam Scottish bar and restaurant Albannach lies Doon. Luxurious and stylish without that ‘aren’t we cool’ arrogance that many of London’s popular hang-outs have, this is a sexy, cosy cocktail bar that will tempt you to stay up way past your bedtime.

The Venue
Conveniently set on a corner of Trafalgar Square, Doon is the perfect place to escape to, whether it’s for a few drinks straight from the office, a cocktail-fuelled night on the town or a romantic date for two. Dark and mysterious, the winding steps take you into an exquisite setting that fills you with an air of sophistication, as the deep reds and tunnel-like ceilings contrast the glow of the candlelit bar. Lounge on a plush sofa, perch at the bar and watch the bartenders as they create mouthwatering cocktails or, if there’s at least ten of you, then why not book yourself a Vault; old bank vaults transformed into cavernous booths that seat up to 20 guests, complete with table service and LCD screens that offer a great hideaway for a bit of intimacy.

The Atmosphere
This is somewhere that despite it’s central location, laid-back attitude and free entry (except Friday and Saturday), still feels like you’ve discovered a well-kept secret: it feels exclusive and just a little bit special. The incredibly friendly, kilt-wearing staff are welcoming and great at suggesting cocktails you’ll enjoy, while the people around you consist of either couples having a quiet drink and a cuddle in the shadows or small office crowds that are winding down their day.

The Music
The DJ keeps the music chilled out and enjoyable until a bit later on where he entices you to the dancefloor, which is essentially just the middle of the room; but by then you will probably have had plenty of ammunition in the form of tasty cocktails to join the few 25-45 year olds that think they can show everyone how it’s done. The music itself is a good mix of dance and well known tracks - the bar staff are even honest enough to admit that this place is not afraid of a bit of cheese every now and then; this just confirms that this place knows its clientele, as the soundtrack to the night suits the age range down to the ground.

The Food
There’ll be no bowls of peanuts and packs of crisps seen here; this bar knows good food and delivers it with style. From their Bar Bites menu, assorted unusual dishes are £4.50-£5 each. But the best way to get a taster is to order a Trio Plate at £9, by choosing three different snacks. Try the bacon and Arran cheddar risotto balls that melt in your mouth with their soft texture; herb encrusted Scotch eggs make a novel choice for bar food or if you want something more familiar go for the hand cut paprika potato wedges, dipped in the barbecue sauce. However, if you have never tried venison or haggis in your life, now is the time: venison sausage in honey, thyme and chilli has a fantastic herb flavour that is great with any one of the provided dipping sauces, while the shallow-fried haggis in filo pastry is perfect for all you haggis virgins - the pastry perfectly contrasts the rich taste of the haggis that is reminiscent of those good Cornish pasties you had on holiday when you were little. Even olives are given the Doon treatment as they are stuffed with a creamy goat’s cheese - a great accompaniment to any cocktail.

The Drink
While draught beers and an extensive selection of Scotch is upstairs in trendy Albannach, the specialty of Doon is the cocktails. If you can’t decide what you’ll like, ask one of the talented staff to give you ideas as they really know their stuff. The Fish House Punch is a great one to start as it’s easy to drink with its peachy tones, while a Mosquito has got a bit of bite with a strong mint flavour that’s sharp but refreshing.

The Jamaican Jaffa is much darker with its rich coffee liqueur that’s subtly combined with rum to make a sophisticated twist on what feels like a comforting and energising glass of good coffee, presented with three coffee beans floating on its creamy surface. Dark and Stirry does what it says on the tin, with a pungent aroma of an aged rum with whisky and ginger beer undertones. As well as these tasty treats the bartenders are also happy to make any classic, and if you want to try something new ask for a Grandiosa - an original that is very pink and very moreish, with ingredients such as strawberry jam and lemon juices.

The Last Word
If you want to experience the glamour and lavishness that many of London’s top bars offer but without the pretentiousness that often comes with it, Doon is the place to go. Chatty bar staff, gorgeous decor and delicious cocktails make this somewhere that you’ll want to keep to yourself, because like most indulgences it’s far too good to share.

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