The Blind Pig

Cocktail hour:

The arrival:

As you head along the bustling Soho street, be sure you count the street numbers. When you hit 58, don’t look for a sign saying The Blind Pig — instead you’ll see a neon blue sign for an optometrist above a wooden door.

This is your destination. Head inside, where you’ll be met by a host who will let you know whether there’s room upstairs. This is a sitting-only bar with full table service and they won’t let you upstairs until there’s a dedicated spot for you.

The vibe:

It may sound pretentious but the elaborate entry process ensures that once you’re inside, you’re treated to a warm and intimate experience, attentively served by staff who really know their stuff. Everyone here is immersed in their own bubble — it’s not the type of place to meet new people — and the music is low to encourage intense conversation.

The menu:

Is something to behold. Each of the signature cocktails is inspired by a character from children’s literature — from Harry Potter to Winnie the Pooh — and every page of the menu features an accompanying hand-drawn illustration. It makes decisionmaking tricky as you pore over each beautiful page. We were on a tight schedule so instead, I told our helpful waitress I wanted something spicy and she returned with a wincingly sour-yet-fiery chilli margarita. Perfection.

The expectation:

I expected good things after a friend declared this is his favourite bar in London. It was only as we arrived, I recognised the downstairs restaurant as Social Eating House — which happens to be a Michelinstarred eatery by chef Jason Atherton. The Blind Pig mirrors the restaurant’s luxe vintage aesthetic but remains an experience in itself. Plus, if you order bar snacks, they come from the kitchen below.

The reality:

The expectation was high but the reality more than lived up to it. The Blind Pig is quirky and sophisticated without being intimidating or pretentious. It’s a bar for grown-ups and a similar experience to Auckland’s excellent Caretaker bar in Britomart, which I suspect drew inspiration from this spot.