53 Greek Street,
Soho,
London,
W1D 3DR
0872 148 1920
Note: Calls cost 10p per min plus network extras.
The ViewLondon Review
Small but perfectly formed, there’s more to Thirst than meets the eye thanks to its extensive cocktail menu and classy yet casual party atmosphere.
The Venue
Set in the buzzing centre of Soho on bar-ridden Greek Street, Thirst is a cosy venue, but it has a good corner location and space for punters to spill out onto the street for a little al fresco boozing. The interior consists of a small bar and as much seating as they can squeeze in on ground level, plus a basement dance floor complete with a bar and a more intimate dark leather booth area which is ideal for private parties.
The Atmosphere
Thirst successfully combines a sense of casual coolness with a fun party atmosphere; the more relaxed upstairs area draws in an after-work crowd before the lower ground club and its DJ lulls them onto the dance floor. The small space of the bar is always fairly full, and on weekends you can expect to fight for space to practice your moves, as the usual weekend warriors move in to dance the night away until the early hours. Staff are always having as good a time as their clientele, pleasantly adding to the feel-good spirit of the bar.
The Music
Thirst is more about its menu than its playlist, but DJs play nightly from 9pm to keep local workers merry and moving, and carry on until 3am for weekend party-goers. Mostly playing commercial chart hits and dance tracks as well as a few old school classics, it’s exactly what you’d expect for Soho and the perfect music for a good shimmy and shameless shape-throwing.
The Drink
Staying true to its name, Thirst is the place to go if you’re hungry for cocktails that are more than just watery juice with a splash of spirit. Averaging at £7 to £8, and reaching over £9 for ‘super strength’ concoctions, the extensive cocktail list costs what you’d expect for central London but there are ways around it; their stupid hour runs from 5-7pm with cocktails at around half price, and happy hour gives you £2 off drinks on most weekdays until 9pm.
It’s well worth getting there early so you can sample a range of the menu - from their house specials such as the Tropicardi, a refreshing mix of Bacardi rum, mango and passion fruit, lime, sugar and a splash of Grenadine, to their tasty twists on classics like the Orange Mojito or Black Forest Frozen Daiquiri which is as dark and fruity as the name suggests, there’s something for everyone. Strong, delicious and varied, the cocktails put other bars to shame and the staff are more than happy to create you something that’s not on the menu. If sweet and fruity is your style, be sure to ask for the Porn Star Martini, which comes with a side of champagne and tastes just like a Solero ice cream – not to be missed. For cocktail-avoiders, Stella, Staropramen, Corona, Magners and various guest beers are available, as well as wine at a modest £4.65 a glass.
The Last Word
A haven for cocktail lovers, with a lively party vibe that’s perfectly at home on Greek Street, Thirst is a bar that lives up to its name and will keep you going back to the bar for more – proof that perhaps size doesn’t matter after all…