The Bloomsbury Club Bar (BCB) is thrilled to announce that they will be welcoming the critically acclaimed ‘The Baxter Inn’ from down under as part of their hugely successful Club Residencies Project.
The Sydney based bar, named the Best Bar in Australasia for the third time in a row in the 2016 World’s 50 Best Bars Awards, will kick-off a four residency on Wednesday 24th- 27th May with a bespoke cocktail menu created by the award winning Beverage Director, James Irvine. Alongside the tailored menu they will also be bringing their world famous Old Fashioned on Tap; making the BCB the first venue in Europe to offer the popular drink on draught.
BCB’s ‘Club Residencies Project’, launched in November last year – with a residency from Athens’ The Clumsies which was shortly followed by the first ever residency from New York City’s BlackTail – from the team behind The Dead Rabbit (World’s Best Bar). BCB’s Bar Manager Brian Calleja says: “I am delighted to be continuing to host the world’s best bars as part our Club Residencies Project and look forward to joining forces with the incredibly talented team from The Baxter Inn”.
Renowned for its 630-bottle strong whiskey selection, The Baxter Inn is recognised as one of the world’s best bars featuring a wall of whiskies of the world, specialising in Scottish single malts. The Baxter Inn, or ‘Baxter’ as it’s known to the regulars, has featured in World’s 50 Best Bars every year since opening and has also been recognised at Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards as Best International Bar Team and Best International Spirits Selection. Along with their bespoke cocktails, The Baxter Inn will also be bringing one of their most exclusive whiskies to serve to BCB guests.
During the four day residency, guests at The BCB will be able to order from an exclusive menu, including four of The Baxter Inn’s most popular drinks, The Baxter Inn Old Fashioned, Bulletin Bourbon, sugar syrup and Angostura bitters, will be served on draft, , Dublin or Nothin’, Jameson Irish Whiskey, fresh lemon juice, Crème De Pêche, fresh pineapple juice, dom Bénédictine and fresh ginger, Whiskey Apple, George Dickel whiskey and freshly pressed Granny Smith apple juice and Clarence St. Spritz Tanqueray Gin, alkalised water, marjoram infused Bianco Vermouth and lemon & fresh sorrel sherbet. Alongside these Baxter favourites, James Irvine has also created an innovative tailored menu specially crafted for The BCB. The concept of this menu is to bring Sydney to London with each cocktail playing to a sense. Bondi Beach will represent ‘touch’; a creation of Ketel One, Framboise EDV, Lemon Juice, Saltbush honey water served on a bed of edible sand (Pretzels, Digestive Biscuits and Brown Sugar) with a scoop of Tangelo and Finger Lime Sorbet. Opera House plays to the sense of sound, offering guests headphones to listen to a symphony of low pitch Baron Ochs and high pitch Queen of Night Aria from The Magic Flute, whilst sipping their cocktail containing Pampero Blanco, Pampero Anejo, Aussie Falernum, Bitter, Pommelo Juice, Lime and Coconut Sugar. Botanical Gardens will arouse the sense of smell with Tanqueray, Yellow Chartreuse, Nonino, Bittermans, Lemon Juice, Grass Syrup, Jasmine Tea Egg White and Edible Flowers – presented wrapped in a scent soaked ribbon. Completing the multisensory experience is Baxter Inn; a daring blend of JW Black, Calvados Pays D’Auge, Manzanilla Sherry, Hay smoked honey water, Cocchi Americano, Goats Cheese & Apricot Bitters with spritz Oak Essence, served alongside an exciting visual experience portraying Baxter Inn on a busy night.
The BCB will be immersing guests in The Baxter Inn experience and will be featuring a collection of racing and boxing memorabilia, mirroring the interior at Baxter, alongside the iconic letter board menu displaying the enticing menu. Emulating The Baxter Inn’s hospitality, a bespoke food menu will be available throughout the residency taking inspiration from the signature dishes at the Sydney based bar, alongside complimentary takeaway pretzels that will be given to all guests.
The BCB is a moody, seductive and atmospheric space, creating the perfect backdrop for an evening. Described by The Nudge as being “absurdly good-looking”, the bar is split into two areas: the main bar and the outer terrace bar. The walls in the main bar area are adorned with artwork and books synonymous with the Bloomsbury Set, with a subtle English colonial influence. Named by The Spirits Business as “one of the hottest bar openings of 2016” it has a traditional member’s club feel, allowing guests to relax and enjoy their evening in style. The secluded outside bar resembles a relaxed bohemian space with heated booths lining the exposed brickwork and a canvas of fairy lights covering the ceiling.