The Evening Standard: Hannah Crosbie’s pick of London’s best basement bars

A cocktail at SOMA

I don’t know about you, but my idea of a good day out doesn’t involve warm beer. It certainly doesn’t involve said beer being spilled down my back, by a group engaged in one of the loudest conversations ever perceived by the human ear. And yet, as soon as the weather begins to resemble anything other than a Lowry painting, this becomes the way of it. Off to the pub garden we all trundle.

By virtue of being easily irritable, I’ve resolved to limit my intake of beer garden days. Doctors do not recommend more than one a week (probably). I don’t recommend them at all (definitely). Instead, I’d much rather nurse a well-made drink in a temperature regulated, subterranean bar, where everyone is seated, and no one is pretending to be nice in order to steal a cigarette filter.

Our favourite bars still need our support during summer, when everyone is, ostensibly, at a chain pub. Don’t worry. Spoons will be there when you get back. But your favourite bar may not; don’t risk it. Here’s where to head.

Read the full article written for Evening Standard here.