Post-pandemic we are back in London and one of the first places we headed to was the immersive 1940s bar Cahoots in Kingly Court. Cahoots was one of the last places we ever went to before leaving London, so we were super excited to be back at this unique London spot.
At Cahoots are three areas to lose yourself in – Ticket Hall, Signal Station and Underground. We were to be seated in the Underground area, which long ago began life as Kingly Court Underground Station, before being used as an emergency air raid shelter during the war. Since then it lay forgotten underneath Soho, a perfectly preserved piece of history that the gang behind Cahoots have breathed life into again.
The journey Underground sets the scene for the evening. Up on street level you’re greeted by two dapper gentlemen who guide you down the stairs and through the decades to the repurposed train platform. Here flickering candles throw a warm glow over dusty lampshades, cosy antique furniture and the mismatched crockery of this bootleg bar.
The menu is a broadsheet newspaper printed with an array of cocktails. From well-known classics to a large selection of themed and innovative creations, you’re sure to find something that tickles your tipple. Our favourite drinks of the evening were the Vera Lynn, a delicious gin and apple concoction that was as zesty as it was sweet, and the Rocky Pines Negroni, which was a more herbaceous take on a negroni thanks to the addition of Quaglia mountain pine liqueur.
For those who get a little peckish while drinking (me), there’s a snack trolley that does wonders with the rations of 1940. We had a nibble on the cheeseboard which came with a lovely selection of hard, soft and blue cheese, as well as accompaniments like chutney and honey to mix and match flavours with. We also added some olives to our cheeseboard and some arancini, served with spicy tomato sauce.
If you’re keen to step back in time with Cahoots, we’d highly recommend booking. The platform was full when we visited which makes for a great vibe, but might mean you have to wait a while for a table if you’re hoping for walk-in.
