Coco’s is a rather sophisticated cocktail bar where drinks are shaken with prowess.

The Venue
If you land on the Barbie-pink Coco’s website you may think it looks a little cheesy, but don't be misled as a recent refurbishment demonstrates a serious taste for refinement and sophistication. Inside, tasteful wooden floors are matched with black suede wallpaper and the black theme continues with smooth velvet lines in the raised sitting area at the back, while contemporary glass chandeliers are dotted around. Shiny glass mosaics, square stools with a fashionable floral pattern, a second large booth upstairs in an oval shape, and a colour-scheme based on black, grey and deep red all contribute to a rather stylish look.

The Atmosphere
Open every day, things may be sedate midweek, but the venue often fills to capacity at weekends, and private hire is popular. The clients are what you would expect from a cocktail bar like Coco’s in a location like Richmond: micro-skirts are almost a uniform for girls, while boys favour shirts with jeans and smart shoes. The soundtrack is somewhat predictable, with a good mix of commercial tracks pumped out strangely unevenly: in the bar it is rather loud while there is no speaker at all at the back.

The staff are incredibly smiley and affable and no effort is spared in shaking up a storm. It should be the norm in cocktail bars but shortcuts are often taken in other venues hence Coco’s dedication is to be appreciated.

The Drink
There is a profusion of classics and twisted classics, but they are well executed and not without moments of originality. Within the classics (£6.50), you can pick from the likes of Bloody Mary and Old Fashioned. The Specials section (£7) mixes their own creations, like the simple but effective Vampire (vodka, crème de cassis and cranberry juice), with classics like strawberry mojitos and mai tais. Classic champagne cocktails (cheap at £7.50), a dedicated martini section (£7.50), shooters (£3.50) and mocktails (£4) are also on the list.

Other options include are a few beers (£4), a good selection of spirits, a limited wine list of just a few bottles (£5 for 175ml or £17-26 per bottle) and champagne (fairly priced at £40-65).

The Last Word
With so many great cocktail bars in London these days, competition is fierce, but Coco’s, with its focus on mixing up quality cocktails for appreciative locals, is employing a winning formula to very good effect.

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