A moody, subterranean haunt for post-work Clerkenwell creatives and off-duty iPad tappers, this Barbican bolthole is swishly done out with ‘rugged quartz’ walls and attractive lighting – making it just right for some serious cocktail sipping. Descend the beautifully illuminated staircase to seek out retro drinks including Aviation, Cosmopolitan, Rusty Nail and other classics. Cocktail genealogists can also admire the Black Russians and Brambles, while beer buffs might veer towards notable bottled brews such as Blue Moon (from the USA) or Belgian beauty St Stefanus; there are also some promising names among the short list of two-dozen approachable wines. Reasonably priced food is on hand in the shape of Neapolitan pizzas, bruschetti, sharing platters and salads – nothing too fancy. It’s also worth signing up online for special Bellini hours and ‘2-4-1’ deals.