| If you’ve read my previous posts it’ll be no surprise to you that I’m a sucker for a speakeasy. For a Saturday night get together with my boyfriend, sister and brother-in-law Evans & Peel was on the agenda. There’s no booking a table at this detective agency inspired bar - an appointment is what you’ll need, along with details of your case. Naturally my case involved a dog and in light of current UK news, a hint of politics. With the promise that 'discreet detectives use their bespoke skills to work out how to give clients that special and unique service’, we headed to Earls Court not knowing what to expect, some of us suitably in character, clad in trench coats... |  |
An inconspicuous door with two filament bulbs - one hung overhead and one in an adjacent box - suggested we had arrived. A buzz on the intercom later the door was unlocked and a downward staircase met us immediately. At the foot of which sat a man at a desk in a shirt and braces, busying himself with what seemed like an important phone call. Detective Peel himself.
Replacing the receiver, he turned to the four figures stood in front of him in the small room with seemingly no door. Consulting his papers with the details of our case, the quizzing began. After confirming that number 10 did indeed refer to Downing Street, I soon found myself admitting to being the secretary of Britain’s most famous address in a bid to explain my insider knowledge. With answers to the interrogation came inevitable giggles - to which I was told to take the appointment more seriously. Apologising, I confessed to know no more regarding the dogs disappearance. Here came the critical question: “The code on the dog tag - what was this for?”. Having thought no more about the fabricated case after booking the appointment, improvisation soon found me declaring that the code was for a safe in Hatton Garden. Admittedly it’s a little too soon to jokingly link yourself in any way to Britain’s greatest jewellery heist, but that’s improv for you! On concluding that the two cases were obviously linked it was time for us to be seated whilst the investigation resumed…but where were the tables? I’ll leave you to discover the bar entry for yourself.
Once inside more braces and bow ties met us, providing menus on clipboards written in traditional typewritten font to keep up the traditional detective act. An extensive cocktail menu provided quality tipples. The Shrubblemaker lured me in with its Yorkshire rhubarb and strawberry syrup, while the boys were fans of the Whiskey collection (which even included Japanese!), eventually opting for the Cold Fashioned. Evans & Peel also scored well with their meat feasts - the spicy buffalo chicken wings didn’t tantalise my bland taste buds despite going down a treat with everyone else, whilst the rack of ribs got a thumbs up from us all.
The only thing missing was a little more scene setting - give us ringing phones and secret announcements and take that role play a little further; a debrief would have offered a fun conclusion. A real life reunion with Buster wouldn’t have gone amiss either but alas it was a great night and an amusing experience.
Evans & Peel
310c Earls Court Road W.8, London SW5 9BA
020 7373 3573
Replacing the receiver, he turned to the four figures stood in front of him in the small room with seemingly no door. Consulting his papers with the details of our case, the quizzing began. After confirming that number 10 did indeed refer to Downing Street, I soon found myself admitting to being the secretary of Britain’s most famous address in a bid to explain my insider knowledge. With answers to the interrogation came inevitable giggles - to which I was told to take the appointment more seriously. Apologising, I confessed to know no more regarding the dogs disappearance. Here came the critical question: “The code on the dog tag - what was this for?”. Having thought no more about the fabricated case after booking the appointment, improvisation soon found me declaring that the code was for a safe in Hatton Garden. Admittedly it’s a little too soon to jokingly link yourself in any way to Britain’s greatest jewellery heist, but that’s improv for you! On concluding that the two cases were obviously linked it was time for us to be seated whilst the investigation resumed…but where were the tables? I’ll leave you to discover the bar entry for yourself.
Once inside more braces and bow ties met us, providing menus on clipboards written in traditional typewritten font to keep up the traditional detective act. An extensive cocktail menu provided quality tipples. The Shrubblemaker lured me in with its Yorkshire rhubarb and strawberry syrup, while the boys were fans of the Whiskey collection (which even included Japanese!), eventually opting for the Cold Fashioned. Evans & Peel also scored well with their meat feasts - the spicy buffalo chicken wings didn’t tantalise my bland taste buds despite going down a treat with everyone else, whilst the rack of ribs got a thumbs up from us all.
The only thing missing was a little more scene setting - give us ringing phones and secret announcements and take that role play a little further; a debrief would have offered a fun conclusion. A real life reunion with Buster wouldn’t have gone amiss either but alas it was a great night and an amusing experience.
Evans & Peel
310c Earls Court Road W.8, London SW5 9BA
020 7373 3573
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