This Bollywood-themed cocktail bar is in what used to be the reference section of the Central Westminster Library, London’s first public library, open for almost a century. This hidden gem is a must for those dining upstairs or wanting to try out the most unusual concoctions of spice and fruit in their speciality cocktails.

The Venue
To the left and down the stairs of the restaurant’s dining room you’ll find a The Cinnamon Club Bar, a cave-like bar with leather doors, low wooden tables, snakeskin-esque comfy sofas, cushions, Victorian archways, and the piece de resistance - a glass projection which takes up the entire length of the bar, playing vibrant Bollywood films.

The surrounds are very modern, with low wooden tables, plenty of cushions and white billowing curtains on the walls that make up for the lack of windows. Bowls with floating fragrant candles and red rose petals set the mood.

The Atmosphere
There is a very laid back atmosphere here, which is not in keeping with the Westminster patrons’ suited attire. A Buddha Bar-esque soundtrack plays on the surround sound system, and this seems to be in sync with the film being projected behind the bar. Not a great place to take a first date, as the film takes over the entire room and you’ll be looking at it all evening.

The Cinnamon Club Bar is a very small space and can feel quite claustrophobic when it’s filled to its 60-seat capacity on a busy night. It would be perfect to hire for a celebration or private screening. You’re welcome to bring along your own DVDs to be screened on their feature wall, and they also have decks set up for the resident DJs on certain nights.

The Food
If you’ve been unsuccessful in snagging a booking upstairs or you simply prefer a wee nibble in a bar setting, then opt for one of their many bar platters. These range from a mixed bread platter, which is accompanied by an assortment of signature dips. If you’re looking to splash out, then opt for their seafood platter, which comes with an assortment of Tandoori grilled king prawns, a stir fry of crab claw with curry leaves and peppercorns.

However, anything other than finger food will be quite difficult to eat anywhere other than at the actual bar, as seating is comfy yet not sturdy enough to be supportive whilst you chow down.

The Drink
The real reason you should trot down to The Cinnamon Club’s nether regions is the extensive and mind blowing array of cocktails on offer. This is definitely a holiday for your taste buds! Opt for something you wouldn’t normally order, such as the Scoville Surprise, the most explosive cocktail you will ever enjoy. It’s a firecracker combination of watermelon, chilli, lemongrass and vodka.

Another cocktail recommendation would have to be the Bollywood passion martini, definitely a drink for those who like the sweeter things in life. Made out of vodka, passionfruit juice and vermouth with half a real passion fruit popped on top. Cocktails are priced around £9.00.

There are also many top shelf whiskeys on offer from the single malts to blended whiskeys, prices range from £7 to £40. And if you are off to have a curry upstairs you may want to opt for a beer. As with all good Indian establishments, the list is endless, from King Cobra at around £8.00 to a Kingfisher at £4.00.

For the teetotallers, The Cinnamon Club Bar provides an impressive list of seven mocktails such as the Hairy Fairy, a blend of guava, passionfruit, cardamom and yoghurt or a non alcoholic beer, such as the Cobra non alcoholic at £4.00.

The Last Word
Although cramped and missing a bit of atmosphere, The Cinnamon Club Bar definitely delivers on the cocktail and whiskey list. It really is worth popping down to this former reference library to give your taste buds an explosive treat.

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