Barchick Says
If BarChick wasn’t about spreading the love, this place would remain a secret, some things (like Wotsits) are just too good to share. Anyway, here goes (because we have to), Evans and Peel is a wicked hangout.
Think Cluedo, Sherlock and 1920’s Prohibition and you are on the right lines. First things first, buzz the buzzer and get into character: you’re here to see the detective remember. Role play past the sleuth (and be nice, anything could happen behind that bookcase…), if he thinks you’re there to cause trouble/break up the party you’ll be sent packing. Hide your belongings in the trunk and when no one’s looking squeeze behind the bookcase.
It’s dark and sultry, the mood is set with crackly music and you’ll have the kind of fun you won’t want to tell your parents about. Look around, but be discreet (you don’t want to draw attention to yourself) this west London drinking den is pretty swanky. The walls are dark green and crumbly and there are loads of props to feast your eyes on like a stag’s head, an old sewing machine table for last minute adjustments and if you creep behind the bar you’ll see that the beer is dispensed through an old radiator. Take a pew at the bar and admire the beautiful glass liqueur cabinets and apothecary drawers or get a table and get close, whispering is the name of the game.
Make eye contact with the bartender and subtly order a drink. The rustic menu is like a history lesson and it offers some sexy twists on classics, we loved the A n T with mint, cucumber and vodka infused with elderflower and apple juice, plus the Carib Willy, a take on a Daiquiri with Cointreau and coconut water is very drinkable.
Stay on and eat. Especially if you like your food smoked, as they will try smoking anything, the eggs didn’t work but the meat did, and the smoked cheese cake was delicious. Not convinced? Then order the Mac’s cheese and try the sliders.
Your wine and beer is smuggled in in brown paper bags, so try not to get too rowdy otherwise others will know it’s not milk you’re drinking. Get down here as fast as you can before it gets raided… oh and be sure to book!
