Fire up Tinder and get swiping, we’ve found you a hot new date spot.
Part local boozer, part sexy cocktail den, The Racketeer is located in that funny in-between bit of Clerkenwell and Kings Cross – if you know, you know. It’s been beautifully restored to its Victorian glory and on the Friday night we visited was candlelit, and utterly inviting.
So why so good for a date? Well it’s way more impressive than your average pub, but not too fancy pants that it’s awkward. Oh and there’s food – but not sit down formal meals – we relaxed on a sofa with the most delicious board of topnotch charcuterie and cheese.
The team are serving up classic cocktails with a twist, including Penicillin In A Storm (Chivas Regal 12 Blended Scotch, Ginger Syrup, Lemon, Laphroaig 10 & Porter Float), Jaffa Collins (Beefeater Gin, Lemon, Orange Bitters & San Pellegrino Pompelmo), and Black Spice (Rittenhouse 100 Rye, PX Sherry, Dry Curacao, Fernet Branca & Black Pepper Tincture). All for around eight or nine quid.
The bar also serves a selection of beers and wines as well as having their own dedicated bottle shop with an unusual wine list. The wines come from small wine producers, and include favourites of the team, such as Feldstuck from Matthias Warnug – perfect for taking home at the end of the night, particularly if that Tinder date goes well.
We reckon it’s unassuming location is going to make it popular with the locals, and those locals (and those in the know) will be gifted a Victorian penny from the team entitling them to 20% off their first round whenever they come in, or the opportunity to roll the bar’s golden dice – if they roll a six, the first round is free.
