Iconic vaulted ceilings, inventive cocktails, and intimate ambiance
"Perfect for: posing with moody classics in a secret courtyard Gothic Bar’s terrace feels like an invisibility cloak for habitual champagne sippers and those blessed with superior cheekbones. While the mood inside this hotel bar in King’s Cross is ‘wealthy vampire’s sexy lair’, the terrace is a sophisticated foliage-filled oasis and beyond the towering plants, all of the commuters speed-walking down Euston Road seem blissfully unaware of its existence. The house cocktails can be hit or miss, but you can order a classic with confidence." - heidi lauth beasley
"Closing time: 1am Wednesday to Thursday, 2am Friday to Saturday While the name of this bar inside St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel might trigger some pretty potent memories of having to wash Sharpie Nine Inch Nails lyrics off your forearm, we can confirm that Gothic Bar is anything but macabre. It’s a deeply gorgeous King’s Cross spot with a golden mosaic ceiling, sexy little coupe cocktails, and a broody aura that will really speak to Daphne Du Maurier types. Lean into the hedonism hype by ordering something involving vermouth, honey, or Chartreuse." - jake missing, heidi lauth beasley
"The beauty of a well-made martini is that it can just as easily be enjoyed in your kitchen as it can elsewhere. But sometimes you want somewhere with a bit of old-fashioned energy. You want a room that you imagine Queen Elizabeth and the Queen Mother would’ve enjoyed a glass in. Gothic Bar in King’s Cross channels the energy of a Venetian palazzo, then decides to put it in a glass with gin, vermouth, and champagne bitters and call it a £50 martini. If that’s a little steep, it also has classic martini and you can choose your own eau de vie." - jake missing, daisy meager
"Gothic Bar, inside King’s Cross’ The Midland Grand Dining Room, could feasibly pass as a set for The League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen. The clue’s in the name—everywhere you look there’s crushed velvet, hulking columns, and seats that will be kind to the hundred-odd-year-old vampires that will surely drink here. Closing times range from ‘late’ to ‘a little later’ and there’s a selection of absinthe—so settle in for the long haul. Crucially for winter, the terrace has heaters, blankets, and comfortable armchair seating." - daisy meager, sinead cranna
"Perfect for when you’re planning on documenting your outfit from 18 different angles. This is your own personal Met Gala and this year’s theme is Supermodels Who Have The Alluring Presence Of A Fit Vampire. Please don’t pretend you don’t know exactly what we mean. At Gothic Bar, we half expect a Cullen to pop out from behind the heavy, red curtains with a glacial martini in one hand and an oyster in the other. Inside the St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel, this pseudo-Venetian mansion is the ideal backdrop for the many, many pictures you’ll be taking. And inventive, expertly made cocktails are worth their hefty price tags." - heidi lauth beasley