Experimental Cocktail Club (Gerrard Street) | Cocktail Bar
Looking for the Experimental Cocktail Club (ECC) can prove tricky. You may find yourself backtracking up and down Gerrard Street looking for an unassuming black door, inconspicuously sandwiched in-between two Chinese restaurants.
Once inside, the vibe is more sexy Shoreditch speakeasy than Chinatown drinking den – all raw, exposed brick, juxtaposed with luxurious furnishing flourishes. And a showstopping mirrored ceiling.
The brainchild of Les Trois Garçons founders, Romée de Goriainoff, Pierre-Charles Cros and Olivier Bon – in partnership with ex-Hendrick’s Gin ambassador, Xavier Padovani – ECC was established in 2010 and has been serving up exquisitely-formulated cocktails to discerning sippers ever since.
Their menu is pure alcohol alchemy, with wittily-named, beautifully-harmonised house cocktails that are a mixologist’s utopia. Their Work Of Art literally is one – a masterful blend of 11 ingredients including Vulson White Rhino Rye, Vermouth del Professore, Laphroaig 10 Year Old Single Malt Whisky, Aperol and all spice. Golden brown in hue, with a heady, smoky potency.
For something sweeter try their Spring On It which mingles Beefeater Gin, Violet Mix, lemon juice, raspberry cacao elderflower syrup and lavender bitters.
If you think you know your premium spirits, you might want to think again. ECC offer a selection of old-fashioned cocktails fashioned from rare and hard-to-source vintage spirits. Your Vintage Negroni will comprise of a 1950’s Gordon’s Gin and 1970’s Campari. Sample one and s(l)ip back into a time warp.
ECC also present a great selection of prestige champagnes or, if you’re peckish, there’s cheese and charcuterie to nibble on.
Reserve your table beforehand to guarantee a spot, though ECC do accommodate walk-ins. All you have to do is find that elusive black door…