27 D'Arblay Street,
Soho,
London,
W1F 8EN
0872 148 0918
The ViewLondon Review
Bar chocolate is a cool, open plan West End bar, serving a unique selection of chocolate-themed cocktails and offering a wide selection food. It’s a great pre-club spot to impress your friends from out of town.The VenueLocated just off the main strip of Soho, Bar Chocolate can be a bit tricky to find if you don’t know the area. When you do find it, however, the outside seating and open plan floor remind you of the continental cafe culture. The venue has a tight and cosy atmosphere; however ,relaxing at the end of the day is sadly not possible due to the rigid, uncomfortable chairs.
The AtmosphereThe general, the clientele of Bar Chocolate are artistic media workers, engaged deep in discussion over a glass of Chardonnay. The staff are very friendly, as is the manager, and the laid back drinking environment is a breath of fresh air compared to the picky door staff and managers of nameless other bars and clubs. The decor is dark and seductive and with the atmospheric lights and ambient club music, you can quite easily find yourself daydreaming over the night to come.
The DrinksAs you can expect from the name, chocolate based cocktails are the specialty. The signature Bar Chocolate martini is always a favourite, made from Absolute vodka, creme de cacao and grated chocolate. A nice selection of white and red wine is also available, particularly the white Rioja from Spain, which is both dry and refreshing. Cocktails are sold at £8 each, so for a few drinks with friends before the club, expect to raise a large bar tab.
The FoodThe food, overall, looks good and the menu offers a wide selection of breakfast, lunch and dinner. All dishes are well presented and offer hearty portions; however, the meatballs in tomato sauce with mashed potato leaves something to be desired. The sauce is lacking in flavour and the mashed potato tastes like it has been sitting in the kitchen for too long, being dry and unpalatable. Mains are £7-£9 each and lunches £4-£6.
The Last WordVisit Bar Chocolate at the beginning of your night through town and enjoy some cocktails you will definitely not see anywhere else, just don’t eat in.