4 Golden Square,
Soho,
London,
W1F 9HT
(020) 7287 9241
The ViewLondon Review
New bar on the Soho block is a real star in the making.The VenueLocation, location, location. Graphic sits on the former site of the Midas Touch venue and benefits from a fantastic position in the Golden Square area of Soho. Media heavyweights like Virgin, Sony and Paramount all have offices merely a stone’s throw away and with Graphic they, and the vast Soho throngs, have a very easy-on-the-eye bar to do lunch, head to after work and party into the evening (it shuts at 12pm everyday).
The venue’s colour scheme is a seductive mix of chocolate brown, gold and bronze shades and this is offset with the bars best feature: a plethora of light shades that set the mood perfectly and sit in clusters throughout. Graphic is currently the talk of the design world, with Design Week suitably impressed enough with the bars sleek new look to extol its virtues.
On entry the bar space is a completely new experience to its former life as Midas Touch. Gone are the issues with the bar layout and the badly executed seating arrangements, in come vast, comfy, brown leather communal booths and the bar is now perfectly placed to the rear left and even though its very busy, drinks flow thick and fast.
The PeopleA very intriguing mix of exuberant Sohoites, curious media types and pretty, young things, all in good spirits and out to enjoy the night. Former cult TV celebrity Normski - the DJ on the night - plays Prince’s Kiss, and a couple of the party goers take to the floor and dance like true professionals, without taking themselves to seriously, much to the amusement of the watching crowd. One word of caution: the music is at times far too loud for any conversation, in future slightly less volume will make for a much more sociable experience.
The FoodFood at Graphic is very much of the pick and mix skewer variety. Choose from skewers of Tiger Prawns marinated in chilli and lime (£6), melt-in-your mouth grilled Haloumi cheese, Saffron Chicken (£4.50), or the deliciously delicate salmon.
The DrinkCocktails are Graphic’s major selling points. The bar staff are quick, efficient, friendly and concoct top quality drinks. The Rum Grog comes flaming in an ornate glass goblet that takes two hands to nurture. Other highlights include the Cup of Love which combines Russian Standard vodka, cucumber, fresh pear, elderflower, citrus and sparkling wine and comes for four people at the palatable price of £39.
There’s also an extensive list of lagers, ales, stouts, ciders and wines and for alcohol-free options there are plenty of smoothie and super-juices to choose from.
The Last WordAesthetically pleasing on the eye, with an address in one of London’s most desirable locations, Graphic is set to a sure-fire success.