Basement,
1 Upper James Street,
Soho,
London,
W1F 9DF
(020) 3145 1000
The ViewLondon Review
Decadent and relaxed, this sophisticated cocktail basement bar beneath the streets of Soho (partner to the eccentric restaurant upstairs) will have you swooning over your martini.
The Venue
Although the restaurant upstairs attracts mixed reviews, there’s no doubt that the basement bar at Bob Bob Ricard is an impressive treat. Decked out with the same French brasserie feel, this intimate cavern is a romantic setting with a killer cocktail menu, guaranteed to impress a hot date or a classy crowd. The decor is all polished brass, exquisite mirrors and chandeliers, dark wood and red velvet. And the adorable Orient Express-style booths transform you back to an Edwardian railway carriage setting.
Every detail, from the wooden backgammon-board flooring to the black marbled bathrooms and the immaculate powder-pink steward jackets worn by the staff, oozes class and timeless glamour.
The Atmosphere
From the moment you’re greeted at the door and swiftly chauffeured downstairs, you’ll feel at ease. It is all about relaxed indulgence here and the bar has a nice buzzy yet intimate atmosphere – perfect for couples’ cosying up under dimmed lights. Adding to the exclusivity is the fact it’s still got a hint of the ‘undiscovered’ element. As it’s only open Thursday–Saturday from 6pm until 10pm, you can be assured that you’ll avoid an influx of the drunken oafs that typically wander around Soho.
The Food
You’ll only find bar snacks down here, like olives and the eponymous BBR Baby White popcorn (£1.50). If you want to sample some of the famously quirky French-British-inspired comfort dishes (from jellied ox tongue to cheeseburgers) that the BBR restaurant is controversially famous for, you’ll have to make a reservation upstairs.
The Drink
The elegance and flair of the decor extends to the cocktail menu, which is packed with innovative and tempting elixirs with upmarket price-tags to match. The Cucumber Martini (Hendrick’s gin, fresh cucumber and elderflower cordial) at £9.50 is one of the best – an emerald-hued, refreshing tipple, it’s topped with a twist of crunchy cucumber. The BBR signature Rhubarb Gin and Tonic is unmissable (£7.50), as are unique long drinks like Lemon Sherbet Punch (Santa Teresa Claro, pineapple juice, Limoncello, lemon juice and elderflower cordial), and a clear Bloody Mary.
The large wine list is equally special and particularly heavy on the French drops, with a dedicated champagne list and lots of choice. Prices compare very favourably with London’s pricier venues (as they helpfully and somewhat comically point out on the menu, literally spelling out examples like the fact they charge £82 for a Bollinger Rose, while the Oxo Tower marks it up to £135). At the lower end of the scale, glasses start from £5.75 and there’s a wide range by the glass and bottle for all pockets. Teetotallers need not be left out with simple, adorably traditional pink lemonade and an apple and ginger lemonade also on the menu (£4.75).
The Last Word
With its stunning cocktails and quirky decor, BBR is refreshingly different, offering a special corner of seclusion amongst the saturated Soho bar scene.
Bob Bob Ricard Bar has been reviewed by 1 users