in Bars
02 July 2017
I've Been Everywhere
Not really. Just not on here. SORRY.
(I was also looking for a good excuse to get some Cash in here. You're welcome.)
It's been a month. A year? Let's just leave it at - it's been hectic. But I'm working on it - I am coming back! Big things are happening - you'll just have to wait for it.
Barcelona, Brighton, Liverpool, Florida, Kentucky, Ohio, and of course, my one true love - London - have taken up my life lately, and there will be recaps. But today, we're talking about something even better. BURGERS AND BEER.
Before I disappeared to America for the month of June, isolated from my Macbook due to plug adapter issues, the lovely team at
The Diner can be found all across London, serving you up the best of America. Burgers, hot dogs, chilli cheese fries, You name it, they'll have it. Even better? They've got a fab rooftop bar so you can have the best of both worlds - burgers, booze, and sweet, sweet sunshine.
We spend the evening in the sunset, packed with a DJ, break-dancer, and all the food and booze your hungry heart could want. My verdict? RECOMMEND.
You can find The Diner in 8 locations across London - find them and their packed menu HERE. And when you do go - take me with you. CHEESE FRIES.
13 October 2016
Beer Pong, Selfies, and Skewers
Last month, we were invited by the lovely
PR & Everything Inbetween to come and check out GEM Bar – a chic cocktail
bar right in the heart of Soho. With the
location on point, we knew it would be a place we wanted to see.
Walking into GEM, the décor took me
straight into the New York Subway – filled with colourful and eclectic graffiti
art, there was an edgy vibe to the bar. And you can even add your own designs
to the chalkboard walls along first floor – which, of course, we did. Not to mention the beer pong table they have
in the side room of the bar – we definitely partook a bit too much in that too.
Hey – we’re American. It’s in our blood.
The downstairs bar is a bit more refined
and classic. I use that with loose terms, though, as we found the world’s greatest
selfie mirror near the cloakroom. You stand in front of the full-size mirror,
and once the picture is taken, you can pick a frame, add your own drawings, and
with the touch-screen inside the mirror, voila! Prints in seconds for a perfect
momento of the night. We may have gone a bit overboard, and possibly took
around 8 or so photos … but who’s counting?
The menu was filled with delicious cocktails
and tasty treats, all that we were able to have a try of. My favourite drink of
the night was most definitely the Bounty Hunter; an amazing chocolate &
coconut cocktail with chocolate liquor Bacardi. Too good!
As a veggie, the starters menu was
absolutely spot on as well. We had a
vegetarian sharing plate that included halloumi and roasted pepper skewers,
sweet potato fries, and my personal favourite, cream cheese stuffed peppers –
all which complemented the cocktails just right.
GEM Bar is perfect for a girls night out (didn’t
you hear me? Selfie mirror and chocolate martinis!), or an evening out with the
lads for some beer pong and food.
The cocktails and yummy sharing platters
make it the perfect spot for some post-work fun as well!
Check out GEM Bar’s website for their
cocktails & platters, and make sure you get in for a visit! Located right
between Kingly and Regent Street in Soho, you’ve got no excuse not to pop in
for a well-deserved drink (or three!)
18 June 2016
Night Sorted at CopaCabana
Imagine this - a beach chair right on the water, Brazilian Caipirinhas, and all the chicken and chips you can eat. And to top it off - doughballs with Nutella. Yes - NUTELLA.
Lucky for me - this was a reality. Right along Southbank, Cabana has partnered up with the Southbank Centre to create CopaCabanaBeach, a summer pop up in celebration of the Rio Olympics.
Rachel (find her at Lunching Above Our Weight) and I hit up CopaCabanaBeach after work last week because - well, because rum. We walked up to a food truck with a bar linked to it, filled with beanbags and beach chairs to lounge under the summer sun (I use that loosely - remember, we ARE in London...).
A range of Brazilian cocktails with a side of sweet potato fries and malagueta chicken, which Rachel assured me was absolutely fantastic. Followed by their chocolate rain donuts and some champagne, the night could not have been better.
Mouth watering of too many rum cravings now? Worry not - this pop up will be on Southbank for the remainder of the summer. And not just that - Cabana has got locations all over London with even more goodies on their menu, so you can hit them up year-round. Rachel and I already have plans to grab a bite at their Covent Garden location this week.
Just. Too. Good.
Find more information about their locations & menu on their website, HERE!
Lucky for me - this was a reality. Right along Southbank, Cabana has partnered up with the Southbank Centre to create CopaCabanaBeach, a summer pop up in celebration of the Rio Olympics.
Rachel (find her at Lunching Above Our Weight) and I hit up CopaCabanaBeach after work last week because - well, because rum. We walked up to a food truck with a bar linked to it, filled with beanbags and beach chairs to lounge under the summer sun (I use that loosely - remember, we ARE in London...).
Mouth watering of too many rum cravings now? Worry not - this pop up will be on Southbank for the remainder of the summer. And not just that - Cabana has got locations all over London with even more goodies on their menu, so you can hit them up year-round. Rachel and I already have plans to grab a bite at their Covent Garden location this week.
Just. Too. Good.
Find more information about their locations & menu on their website, HERE!
Night Sorted at CopaCabana
Imagine this - a beach chair right on the water, Brazilian Caipirinhas, and all the chicken and chips you can eat. And to top it off - doughballs with Nutella. Yes - NUTELLA.
Lucky for me - this was a reality. Right along Southbank, Cabana has partnered up with the Southbank Centre to create CopaCabanaBeach, a summer pop up in celebration of the Rio Olympics.
Rachel (find her at Lunching Above Our Weight) and I hit up CopaCabanaBeach after work last week because - well, because rum. We walked up to a food truck with a bar linked to it, filled with beanbags and beach chairs to lounge under the summer sun (I use that loosely - remember, we ARE in London...).
A range of Brazilian cocktails with a side of sweet potato fries and malagueta chicken, which Rachel assured me was absolutely fantastic. Followed by their chocolate rain donuts and some champagne, the night could not have been better.
Mouth watering of too many rum cravings now? Worry not - this pop up will be on Southbank for the remainder of the summer. And not just that - Cabana has got locations all over London with even more goodies on their menu, so you can hit them up year-round. Rachel and I already have plans to grab a bite at their Covent Garden location this week.
Just. Too. Good.
Find more information about their locations & menu on their website, HERE!
Lucky for me - this was a reality. Right along Southbank, Cabana has partnered up with the Southbank Centre to create CopaCabanaBeach, a summer pop up in celebration of the Rio Olympics.
Rachel (find her at Lunching Above Our Weight) and I hit up CopaCabanaBeach after work last week because - well, because rum. We walked up to a food truck with a bar linked to it, filled with beanbags and beach chairs to lounge under the summer sun (I use that loosely - remember, we ARE in London...).
Mouth watering of too many rum cravings now? Worry not - this pop up will be on Southbank for the remainder of the summer. And not just that - Cabana has got locations all over London with even more goodies on their menu, so you can hit them up year-round. Rachel and I already have plans to grab a bite at their Covent Garden location this week.
Just. Too. Good.
Find more information about their locations & menu on their website, HERE!
08 June 2016
Sunshine, Steel Drums, and So Much Rum
Its summertime in London and you know what that means! Rain, rain, and more rain.
This cold, rainy summer weather has left me wanting
to escape to a warmer, tropical location with fruity drinks and the
sound of steel drums. Luckily, I had to go no further in Central
London! Caity and I were lucky enough to be invited
to a tropical Jamaican getaway pop-up in the heart of Soho Square by
Sugar Dumplin' Rum Shack. As we walked in sound of steel drums and happy
chatter filled the air. We were greeted by a tropical bar with more
drink choices than we could choose from. They
had a Jamaican Mojito with Golden Rum Appleton Signature, a Bahama Mama
which has spiced rum, bananas and tropical fruit juice and so many
more. We both decided on a Rum Runner which consisted of dark rum and
banana and blackberry liquor. Delish!
As we passed the steel drums to the back we could
smell the delicious Jamaican BBQ that was being prepared outside. Our
options available were some of the best pick from their menu. The Jerk
Chicken was covered in Jerk Sauce and topped
sliced chilli and spring onions. For the veggies out there, Sugar
Dumplin has a delicious Butternut Squash & Chickpea Creole. This
had roasted butternut, chickpeas, spinach and coconut in a creole style
tomato sauce. Their third dish was Escovitch Fish
which consisted of a lightly friend red snapper served with an
Escovitch Sause. All dishes were served with Rice ‘N’ Peas and had the
option to be topped with some delicious slaw and sweet and spicy sauce. After licking my plate I decided that BBQ Jamaican
food was now at the top of my favourite food list.
Surgar Dumplin currently have locations in Glasgow
and Camberley and looking to expand into London Territory. Our escape
into Sugar Dumplin Rum Shack was a tropical destination in the heart of a
cold bustling London and it was jusdt what
we needed. If you have the opportunity to visit one of their locations
around the UK I highly recommend it, you wont be disappoint. Watch out
for a London based Sugar Dumplin near you!
09 July 2015
Boozing for Brunch at Scarlets
Last weekend I was invited to check out the new & chic restaurant right in the heart of Covent Garden, Scarlet's.
And lucky for Heather and I, this brunch happened to be on the Fourth of July.
As the annoying American's the world knows best, of course we were celebrating.
A boozy brunch? What a perfect way to start.
We were welcomed with a delicious Bellini on arrival,
and after this being the second time it happening,
I'm thinking about sending in a formal request to everywhere I show up to, for champagne at the door.
Brunch, bars, work, home ... does it really matter where? It's Champagne.
And lucky for Heather and I, this brunch happened to be on the Fourth of July.
As the annoying American's the world knows best, of course we were celebrating.
A boozy brunch? What a perfect way to start.
We were welcomed with a delicious Bellini on arrival,
and after this being the second time it happening,
I'm thinking about sending in a formal request to everywhere I show up to, for champagne at the door.
Brunch, bars, work, home ... does it really matter where? It's Champagne.
ANYWAYS.
Scarlet's is a gorgeous place, filled with cute vintage-like furniture, wall hangings, and lights.
Flowers on the tables, water-colored menus - cute enough to contemplate if they could design my next flat's decor.
We were given Bloody Mary's to start the brunch with
which, while they aren't my thing, Heather downed hers. So you know it was good.
I grabbed a Rum Punch once the waiter came by and woooooow was it delicious!
Fruity, tangy, and very rummy - I absolutely loved it.
The food was just as tasty as the drinks we had before.
I ordered an Eggs Florentine - which I had never had before - and I think my life has changed forever.
These eggs were PERFECTLY poached, and the creamy hollandaise just completed it.
I was full as could be, but I could have easily eaten another one.
To finish off, we were given the new Alcoholic Popsicles to sample.
These come in three flavors - Mojito, Gin & Tonic, and Vodka & Perrier - all with fruit frozen inside.
Literally, I couldn't think of anything else except, 'this is what summer tastes like.'
AKA - Delicious. So good.
The morning was a great way to start off the day,
which was later filled with the only things that really matter in the USA;
more alcohol, country music, and a disgusting, overbearing amount of red, white, and blue.
06 July 2015
House of Song; The Piano Works
The Piano Works is a freshly opened live music venue just a short walk away from the Farringdon Station.
And I say venue because it is much, much more than just a bar.
Live music, delicious snacks, and, of course, cocktails;
some of the greatest cocktails I have EVER drank, to be exact.
Which is saying a lot ... I've had my fair share of cocktails.
Thanks to the lovely girls at PR&EI, I was invited to check out a launch event right before the opening this past weekend.
Being welcomed with Prosecco was one thing, but it was the dimmed lighting, alluring atmosphere, and live music that really caught me.
The Piano Works is essentially what it sounds like.
Two pianos along with a backing band take song requests from the crowd through napkins placed all over the bar.
Creative, if you ask me.
We challenged them with some of our favorite obscure oldies,
and they surprisingly pulled off most every one,
especially a great Maybe I'm Amazed.
Yes, obviously we threw some Macca requests in there.
Do you know who I am?
Throughout all of this were different presentations of drinks and nibbles.
I have to hand it to this staff - I have never been waited on so promptly.
It was like once I finished a drink, within 30 seconds
I'd have someone coming up to me asking what I'd like next.
And these drinks were so good, there was no way I was going to turn one down.
While all the drinks were incredible, the Almond Hazlenut Sour gets on only the spotlight on this post,
but of any drink I've ever featured on this blog.
Both almond and hazelnut liquors mixed together with egg whites and lemon,
this
drink is so good, I literally think it should be added to all buckets
lists as something that needs to be tasted before you die.
Life-changing.
Or over-dramatic. Either one.
But damn, it's good.
Mini rolls were also being brought around, for good reason.
With this many cocktails offered, food is a must.
The rolls were a variety of tuna, crab, chicken, and chili dogs.
Heather and I chomped on the Veggie Burgers, served with a bit of mint and mayo with fresh rocket.
We ate three - if you were going to ask if we enjoyed them.
Three.
It was one of the best venues I've ever been able to check out in London,
and I can guarantee if there's ever a place I'd go back to a second time - this is it.
I would recommend anyone with a free night to get out
and if for some reason, you are looking for more reasons to go,
GO FOR THE ALMOND HAZELNUT SOUR.
28 April 2015
Selfies & Happy Meals
Friday night, I was invited to sample the new drink/food menu from Foundation Bar.
I was sold when they told me there were Happy Meals.
Located right in the heart of Covent Garden, it's convenient to pop in whether it's after a day in the office or a night on the weekend.
Looking like a 'night out bar' with crazy cocktails being their centerpiece, though,
I wasn't sure what to expect of the food.
But with pizza, fries, burgers, and grilled cheese, it just wouldn't be like myself to say no to this.
The menu was full of delicious things - all laid out to your appetite.
There were sharing plates, nibbles, and full meals to choose from.
Heather decided on the Veggie Burger & I went for the Hand Rolled Pizza,
because, well, it's me. And pizza.
While waiting, we decided to start with some drinks.
Now, I've seen some weird drinks, but Foundation has got to be the front-runner for this.
So many mixtures of liquors, beers, and ciders I hadn't heard of,
all served in a mixture of tin cans, mugs, and teapots.
Most coming with an extra addition that may be a jaffa cake, marshmallows, or cheese and crackers.
My first drink came with jelly beans in it, so I needed no convincing that I was going to enjoy it.
The best part about the night was that everything we ordered came out within less than ten minutes,
even the food. Which never happens, ESPECIALLY in London!
It was all a delicious mix of great eats - all served in a hefty portion,
but don't think any less of us - we destroyed it.
Way too good to let go to waste.
As time went on, more people came and you could see the shift from a casual happy hour
to crazy crowds ready to rage,
which really makes it a 'best of both worlds' type of place.
And if you're looking for great cocktails mixed with a feast of comfort foods.
to crazy crowds ready to rage,
which really makes it a 'best of both worlds' type of place.
And if you're looking for great cocktails mixed with a feast of comfort foods.
Which, let's be real - who isn't?
This will be your place.
Thank you to Foundation Bar & PRandEverythingInbetween for a great night out!
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Happy Tuesday!
Miss last week's link up? Don't worry, I've got my favorite read here.
A Three Day Guide To Reykjavik from Kaelene at Unlocking Kiki!
I pretty much just stalk her blog hoping someday my dreams will come true
and I'll finally go to Iceland.
IT WILL HAPPEN!
Link up below!
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Happy Tuesday!
Miss last week's link up? Don't worry, I've got my favorite read here.
A Three Day Guide To Reykjavik from Kaelene at Unlocking Kiki!
I pretty much just stalk her blog hoping someday my dreams will come true
and I'll finally go to Iceland.
IT WILL HAPPEN!
Link up below!
14 April 2015
Judy's Affordable Vintage Fair
This weekend, Heather and I made a trip over to Bethnal Green for one of our favorite pastimes..
It was a quick tube ride on the Central Line over the Bethnal Green to the Affordable Vintage Fair,
and about 2 minutes away from the station until we were at York Hall where the event was held.
The room was lined with tables of different sellers full of gorgeous goodies.
and about 2 minutes away from the station until we were at York Hall where the event was held.
The room was lined with tables of different sellers full of gorgeous goodies.
They have so many great finds - from clothing to jewelry to some great trinkets and toys.
Whether you are looking to find something to bring home or just simply browse,
it's a great place to get away for a few hours.
While Heather and I wanted to window-shop,
of course that was impossible.
We managed to grab some vintage jewelry
as well as these adorable shift dresses that I'm going to ask you not to judge if you see us wearing them every day.
How cute are they?!
Day ... and money .. well spent, I'd say.
Find Judy's Affordable Vintage Fair on Facebook here
or check out there website here to stay up to date on future events!
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Do I need to tell you what day it is?
I think we've been through this enough now.
Miss last week's posts?
I've got my favorite of the link up right here -->
Natalye is a Cali girl gone German, and she's explaining why she decided to make the move HERE.
Link up below!
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