Hidden inside the stylish London EDITION hotel is a reservations-only drinking den called the Punch Room. Taking a cue from the capital’s 19th century private clubs and aristocratic country manors, Punch Room finds the right balance between tradition and modern edge.
We make our way inside the London EDITION on Berners Street in Fitzrovia. We’re welcomed into Punch Room and given a table in the low-lit, oak-panelled room. A mix of soul, blues, and funk played throughout the evening, and the atmosphere felt intimate yet inviting.
We’re immediately served a bowl of moreish goat’s cheese and black pepper popcorn, and to our delight, our bowls are replenished the entire evening. Our serves comes to introduce himself and asks for our names. He introduces the concept of Punch Room, which was thought up by Davide Segat, whose background includes stints at The Connaught and Hawksmoor. Designed around the experience of enjoying a punch bowl, guests are invited to choose from over 30 speciality punches to enjoy on their own or in bowls for 2, 4, 6, or 8 people.
Bar manager Andy Shannon, formerly of Callooh Callay, has recently launched the latest in Punch Room’s cocktail menu series where they explore creative takes to the number five (“punch” comes from the Hindi word for five and there are five ingredients in a traditional punch). The Five: Volume III pays tribute to the five elements—earth, water, fire, air, and aether.
We were introduced to the punch menu with the “punch of the day”, a chance for the team to play with different ingredients and flavours. My fiancé and I try four different punches to test the breadth of the menu and ask our servers Davide and Anita for their suggestions based on what we were feeling and the different flavours we enjoy in our drinks.
The punches were all expertly-made with each ingredient truly singing and playing a role in each drink. Combinations were fresh, elegant, and enjoyable. We both agreed we could easily spend hours drinking our way through the menu and decided to come back with a group of friends.
The Earth section makes use of aged spirits and includes options like the Philosopher’s Punch with Plymouth Gin, Ouzo 12, salted Roots Rakomelo, Mavromatis kumquat liqueur, lemon juice, and Sweet Cicely blend. Water provides fresh and refreshing options such as the Igloo Punch with Ruinart Brut, Da Mhile seaweed gin, cloudberry liqueur, lemon sherbet, green tea, lemon juice, ambergris, and lemon sorbet.
For those looking for some spice, head over to Fire and pick up a Pudding Lane with Beefeater dry gin, Bergamotto Quaglia, gunpowder tea, lemon, lime, ginger beer, and croissant foam. We all know that altitude affects taste, and a great representation of this is the Air section’s take on a Bloody Mary with the High Altitude, made with Auedemus Umami spirit, Absolut Elyx, Malbec, sundried tomato syrup, milk oolong, soy sauce, and lemon juice.
Finally, there’s Aether, which celebrates the intangible yet interesting elements that make an excellent drink, like the Hibiscus Banks 5 rum, banana liqueur, egg white, lemon juice, lime juice, vanilla, orange flower water, and almond milk that make up the Cosmic Ramos. Six of Punch Room’s classics are also available on the new menu.
Address: The London EDITION, 10 Berners Street, London, W1T 3NP
Phone: 0207 908 7989
Website: editionhotels.com/london/restaurants-and-bars/punch-room
