by Patrick Boniface

Created on: November 26, 2009   Last Updated: November 27, 2009

London has always had that something extra, the yin and the yang of a great night out. After a great evening out with friends or lovers, it also offers some of the most attractive destination bars anywhere in Europe. The offerings are truly global in their scale; Spanish, Thai, Italian, American, Japanese and French.

Perhaps the one nation that seemingly is under represented is the British themselves. The Brits, contrary to worldwide reputation, know a thing or two about making great food and boy do they know how to put it together with some excellent wines, beers and cocktails.

There is a growing number of excellent 'British' bars and pubs and amongst my personal favorites is Marks Bar @ Hix in Soho.

Marks Bar @ Hix can be found in the less sleazy end of Soho's Brewer Street. If you can sidestep the less attractive propositions available in this corner of London and make your way down the steps into the basement, that is where you'll find the bar.

The location is ideal for a number of reasons, firstly the excellent restaurant on the ground floor that serves some of the finest British food in the Capital.

As you take a careful placed step inside the bar, visitors can instantly feel as if they have been teleported to Manhatten, with the metallic feel of zinc and tin panels on the walls and ceilings and over the bar area. Those who like to feel cosseted in a 1970's retro feel are sure to feel comfortable in this bar as multi colored rugs, billiards tables and soft and accommodating Chesterfields allow even the most uptight client to slouch the night away.

But it is the movers and the shakers behind the bar that truly make the experience for the client, some of the finest mixers of cocktails have been hired. These barmeisters have together formulated more cocktails, based on historic British recipes than you can shake a proverbial stick at.

Many are also themed on the ingredients list that matches that in the restaurant upstairs. If you don't like cocktails and you like your drink to be solid and upright and not a sissy drink then a wide beer list is available too.

Great attention to detail has also been paid to the bar snacks menu, no pork scratchings here! Oysters, quails egg shooters and sloe gin jelly are all available from a large menu.

Mark's Bar @ Hix

66 Brewer Street, London, W1F 9TR

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