If you’re looking for an authentic American bar with all the grandeur and glamour of a bygone era, Bar Americain at Brasserie Zedel will hit the note every time. Found in Soho, just across the foyer from the revered Parisian spot Brasserie Zedel, Bar Americain transplants the art deco era of the US into the beating heart of London. It's an elegant space, brought to us by The Wolseley Restaurant Group.
The interiors reference the heyday of Art Deco style featuring varnished dark wood tables, gilded gold fixtures, and period light fittings that create a warm and inviting atmosphere. The walls host the full portfolio of Paul Colin’s lithograph collection. Entitled ‘Le Tumulte Noir’, it's a homage to the dancer, singer, and civil rights activist Josephine Baker. Whether going for after-work drinks, an aperitif, or a date night, the setting makes Bar Americain an intimate spot for sophisticated gatherings and masterful cocktails.
The Bar Americain classic cocktail menu is divided as a chronological account of pre-prohibition, prohibition, and post-prohibition drink mixing. Pre-prohibition blends include a ‘Turf Club’ cocktail. First recorded in 1884, it’s thought to be the precursor to the Martini, this time with maraschino liqueur, absinthe, and orange bitters along with gin and dry vermouth. You’ll also find prohibition-era cocktails like the Corpse Reviver and post-prohibition drinks like the Moscow Mule each with small snippets of historical information. You’ll also find limited edition menus, such as the ‘Golden Age’ selection inspired by the American stars that dominated the silver screen from the 1910s to the 1960s.
Brasserie Zedel does most of the heavy lifting when it comes to food, but don’t overlook the Bar Americain snack menu, which features delicious small plates like crispy pork belly and smoked salmon blinis.