Potion Bar Review

Best for: cheap drinks, private parties

Great: atmosphere, music and cocktails

The main thing I remember about being a student is...well not a lot. Seesawing between the very occasional lecture, to the pub, to bed, and back to the pub left me in a constant Alice-inspired daze with my only question ever being, ‘what shall I have to drink?’

Then, after three blissful years masquerading as a sponge of knowledge in Birmingham, reality strikes. Your loan is blown, friends scatter far and wide, and you are left with the daunting role of ‘job seeker’. Where to begin? A drink at your local to discuss your options with your most learned companion, obviously. You then set foot on the merry road to adulthood via the 9-5, council tax and a mere 20 days annual holiday.

If you, like me, have been mourning the loss of your student self, a few hours at Potion Bar in Central London is the perfect antidote.

Potion Bar is an eclectic cocktail haven, two minutes from Warren Street and stumbling distance to Goodge Street. As soon as you walk through the doors you get the feeling that by the time the clock strikes midnight, it will have become a living organism; a heaving mass of merry makers, movers and shakers.

We hit Potion on a Friday night and, with 48 hours of revelry looming, the crowd was in high spirits. Tipsy broad grins welcomed us as we headed for the bustling bar.

The resident mixologist shook, poured and slammed down anything from bottled beers to Jaffa Margaritas; a funky blend of tequila, dark chocolate liqueur, Grand Marnier and orange juice.

Kate Rose, our genial host, guided us through the crowd to a table fully armed with a bottle of champagne and the best priced drinks menu I have seen in years. Potion goers can choose to imbibe a deliciously daring selection of contemporary and classic cocktails (go for the Zombie laced with all manner of rum and general mischief), beers, spirits and wine for ridiculously low prices. Most cocktails are £6, shots for £2.50 and all your favourite beers start at £3. They’ll even dish up an absinthe with a flaming sugar cube for £4.50. Hurrah! We were champing at the bit for a night of student-shaped debauchery!

First up was the Chilli Espresso Martini, as recommended by Kate for anyone who likes their glass with a little bit of a kick. It is a fiery blend of chilli-infused-vodka (doubly strained to prevent burnt tongues), Kahlua, cocao and butterscotch schnapps with a definite sting in its tale. My friend was in the mood for something a bit fruitier and glugged down a ‘Strawberry’; vodka, strawberry liqueur and strawberries! It tasted deliciously like home-made jam and went down just as easily.

We then discovered with glee that Happy Hour runs from 4 – 8pm, Monday to Friday...and ALL DAY on Saturday. Prices verge on madness with £4 for a cocktail and £2.50 for a pint of Carling. What’s more, if you are a student, work for the NHS or flash your Potion loyalty card you can get amazing discounts any time. Genius! Farewell gastronomic bar tabs and hello getting fairly merry for £20 (I am an extreme lightweight so your consumption levels may be considerably higher). The whole vibe of Potion, the funky music, and the friendly crowd made us want to play all night and never return to the office. We were students again and loving it!

Finding ourselves getting drunker by the second we ordered some grub to soak it up. Potato wedges, cheeky cheesy nachos, and man-sized spring rolls landed on our table and were munched within minutes.

Before making our way home, Kate gave us a swift tour. The Basement Bar at Potion, with room for up to 120 people, has random little caves, fairy lights and can be hired for £50 complete with your own DJ booth and fully stocked bar. Smaller groups of 40 can gather on the Mezzanine for £25 including a dedicated waitress and TVs. I’m planning a bash there for the New Year, and know it will be the perfect remedy for January Blues. It feels so good to feel like a student once again!...read more

Flick Hardingham 02 Nov 2010

Potion Bar Description

We are a 3 level contempory funky little cocktail bar with a pub and club feel. We are unpretentious but pride ourselves on the quality of our products – food, alcohol and music styles. Our team is our major asset and we do not take service lightly. Embodying New York style martinis and quality products including a wide selection of beer on tap we are considered to be one of londons little gems. Whatever the occasion, be it a birthday, farwell or a corporate meeting our dedicated party organizers will personally manager your event from the first enquiry to the last drink. We can personalize function packages to your budget and needs and our flexible approach allows us to accommodate individual requests.

We have built up an enviable reputation for organizing parties with finesse and style. The multi levels and contemporary surroundings of this unique venue offer something extra special: a rare intimacy in the heart of London with easy access to public amenities. Potion also has an outside area with heating lamps which accommodates smokers with ease. As well as the fantastic location Potion offers delicious food and levels of service and friendliness at a price that will please everyone. Whether your function is for 20 or 150 people, Potion will make it one to remember....read more

Customer Reviews for Potion Bar

Average (based on 2 votes): 2 Atmosphere: Value: Quality:

The following customer reviews are not endorsed by Fluid London and are simply those of users who wish to publish their independent experiences of Potion Bar.

“Great night out, hired the private basement bar for a corporate event, customer service was good and the cocktails were even better, couldn't ask for any more. Really good value for money as well”
Atmosphere: Value: Quality:
James Cramp, London (2 years 8 months 13 days ago)

“My friend had her birthday party in the basement bar which can be rented out here, the venue has a really quirky feel and a warm atmosphere and the value for money is amazing! All the cocktails are £4 during happy hour and only £6 the rest of the time. The food was also really nice for bar food.The staff were lovely, really friendly and they were brilliant with our party, they even decorated the bar for us and nmade us an exclusive shot!”
Atmosphere: Value: Quality:
kai, london (2 years 9 months 29 days ago)

Additional Information

• Cuisine Type: Bar
• Dress Code: Not Specified
• Group: (Independent/Freehouse)