2011 London's Best New Bars (or not)

Yes, it's almost Spring 2012 already and you've been  impatiently asking (well, all seven of you anyway) for my list of London loves/loathes 2011. Sorry guys,  I've been  a) fighting off the January lurgy b) attempting to file my tax return c) busy checking out this year's early crop of contenders and d) against all expectations, been captivated by Celebrity Big Brother and its mesmersingly awful, Borgia-esque twins, the Playboy Piranhas. Apologies for such tardiness but this is what my two brain cells remember of last year.

Bar of the year: ZTH http://tinyurl.com/672h67d

Picture perfect: Gilbert Scott http://tinyurl.com/3v4q5ak

Sexiest swallows: Happiness Forgets http://tinyurl.com/6hlaaq7

Coolest cocktail menu: St James Bar, SW1 (review pending)

Most ridiculous decor: Amaranto http://tinyurl.com/65rrxjo

Most fun with your clothes on: Drink Shop and Dance http://tinyurl.com/6tz8pvj

Most disppointing: BOB http://tinyurl.com/4xtr8pp

Best alfresco: Vista http://tinyurl.com/6256yve

One to watch: Lucky Pig http://tinyurl.com/7gvs4ag

Great happy hour deals: DM2 http://tinyurl.com/c6hvfo7

Burgers and cocktails: nope, not THAT one. I preferred this http://tinyurl.com/7tt97kf

Best local: get ye Up The Junction http://tinyurl.com/3ze7utz

Best for beer bellies: Craft Beer Co http://tinyurl.com/3qxtay8

Funkiest pop-up: Dishoom Chowpatty Beach http://tinyurl.com/5wgzz2b

Most Mad Men-tastic: Salvatore's at The Playboy http://tinyurl.com/3gjdb7e

The one I feel I should love but somehow don't: TWSWS http://tinyurl.com/6he37my

Never again! (Not even if you slipped me Fred The Shred's bonus): Piccadilly Minger http://tinyurl.com/3kgmjg2


Yes, I know some of these are technically late 2010 openings.  2 many bars 2 little time. I am working on cloning myself in 2012. 

  LOVE LOVE LOVE ZTH (above)  Picture: Square Meal