Looking for a watering hole near Waterloo? Lost Property Office is a cocktail bar launched by award-winning bartender Rich Woods. Also known as ‘The Cocktail Guy’, Rich has helped to curate the cocktail menus at some of London’s leading restaurants including Sushisamba, Duck & Waffle and Gold Notting Hill. He also co-owned east London bar Scout with Matt Whiley, which was ranked at number 28 in the World’s Best 50 Bars list. Lost Property Office is his first venture since Scout closed.
The bar takes its inspiration from prohibition era speakeasies and can only be accessed through a secret door within BrewDog Waterloo. Inside, it’s a moody, intimate space with dim lighting, dark timber ceilings, cushioned booths upholstered in tan leather and backlit prints featuring vintage films and music. Expect a classic-styled setting with lots of modern accents.
The menu showcases a host of classic cocktails reimagined using modern culinary techniques. Don't expect to see any Aperol Spritz' or Espresso Martinis here though! Look out for creations such as the Full Flex, a twist on a Manhattan, featuring Bourban, blended sweet vermouths, cacao butter, ancho chilli and grapefruit oils. Or a Lagerita (like a Margarita) featuring tequila, clarified lime, blood orange and bergamot and topped with a beer cloud and seasonal micro flowers.
The Martini Roulette is the bar’s signature serve. The cocktail features a mini trio of Martinis, identical in size and colour, while showcasing the evolution of the drink through different guises, ABVs and decades.
Meanwhile, a host of spirits and liqueurs combine with citrus, spice, and aromatics to create twists on classic and contemporary cocktails. As the entire concept is a collaboration with beer company BrewDog, each cocktail showcases the spirits crafted by the BrewDog Distilling Co.