BAR OF THE YEAR:
QuiQuiRiQui http://tinyurl.com/8g4vbpm
London does this kind of bar best (and yes, I know one of its owners is Scandinavian). Fabulous freaks in a stripped-back, trippy Tarantino-esque Mexican porno basement beneath a kebab shop; Tom Jones on the jukebox; messy early morning mash-ups on rare weapon of mass destruction grade super-premium mezcal = no hangover? Bring it on!
Favourite new uptown girl:
The Luggage Room http://tinyurl.com/cg9nfxo
You'll need the cash equivalent of a pile of LVs (as in Luncheon Vouchers; ask your granny) to get steaming at this luxury LV (Louis Vuitton) walk-in steamer trunk: quality never comes cheap.
The trend that refuses to die:
Speakeasies.
But these clandestine cuties are more than forgiven
Evans and Peel: http://tinyurl.com/auj63pm Underdog: http://tinyurl.com/b3pur7m Flat P: http://tinyurl.com/cy8uwzo
Dishiest Dalston dive:
Ruby (don't take your love to town) http://tinyurl.com/ajcubkd
Biggest anti-climax:
Opium (should have guessed: never liked Yves' perfume much either) http://tinyurl.com/ce2srmq
The Heron Tower, home to Sushisamba and its 'OMG!' (said the gobsmacky girl standing next to me) views of Lilliputian London below http://tinyurl.com/8ecefy5
Worst-dressed crowd of the year:
Loadsamoney lads are not-so-City-slickers after ten too many 'tails. Yep, it's Sushisamba again.
The if-it's-good-enough-for-Michael-Fassbinder pub of the year award:
The Sebright Arms http://tinyurl.com/agwadbn
Wow... or wank? Decide for yourself:
And Co http://tinyurl.com/9phzbjm
Most unlikely (anthropological) fun night out:
Bodo's Schloss http://tinyurl.com/a8y8wek
Most memorable cocktail:
If I liked it, I ordered ten - ergo, I can't remember it...or anything, come to that, until the ambulance showed up. Pretty much everything on the Gorgeous boys' menu at St James floated my boat. This much, I do remember. http://tinyurl.com/ac23j23
Most asked question of the year:
'What's your favourite bar?' If I really must spend my own money, let it be at
Happiness Forgets http://tinyurl.com/ak37xfs
Enough already:
cocktails and burger/hotdog joint overkill; faffy molecular mixology; bubble tea; scotch eggs; door whores with more attitude than at Studio 54'- despite standing guard over a not-all-that Soho sweat-BOX; pop-ups - all pooped out now; charcuterie share platters; palate-cleanser flavoured water; cocktail lists that are a longer read than Doctor Zhivago; elderflower anything; who-cares Foursquare; edible gold flake; shampagne cocktails: prosecco ain't Pommery; Aperol spritz; Hendrick's gin; twee, tweedy Chap Olympiad types; pork scratchings - the ultimate dental damn!
