Green Bar at Hotel Café Royal (Bar, Hotel)

Top 10 things you should know about The Green Bar:

1) I had a mission. It was to experience absinthe in one of London’s historical absinthe bars. Was I up to the challenge? Was I heck! I knew absolutely nothing. I only knew that the best literary minds drank the enigmatic liquid and that its effects featured in various famous paintings. Absinthe isn’t just a drink, it’s a culture.

2) I was raring to go! J'ai commencé mon voyage de l'amateur à l'expert dans l'art de l'absinthe! It began when I arrived at the famously chic Café Royal Hotel. Upon entry, I was taken aback. Everything was shiny, elegant and opulent. Marble, gold and glass everywhere. Even the art on the ceiling could have happily sat on the walls of the National Gallery.

3) As beautiful as it was, I was led (basically five steps in) to the bohemian home and holder of the mysterious absinthe, the icy cool Green Bar.

4) The lovely Antonio sat us down and explained the science behind the drink which involves water, sugar and of course, absinthe which upon dilution would turn a cloudy yellow.

5) Before starting the absinthe journey, I ordered some small plates of food and began learning about the different volumes of absinthe.

6) Blanche absinthe is 53% alcohol and can make the night swim but not too much. Parisian absinthe is 68% alcohol. It will kick your arse if you don’t treat it with respect. The Bohemian absinthe is 70% and will put you on the floor very, very quickly if abused, a la shots in the West End at 2am.

7) The food arrived! The prawn satay skewers were immensely satisfying as were the cured sea scallops. The avocado was beautiful. The popcorn chicken was wonderfully pleasing and felt easier on the hips than the downmarket KFC version.

8) Food to one side, it was absinthe time. Antonio set up the absinthe fountain, poured some La Fee and worked his magic.

9) The ice cold water dripped onto the sugar cube which in turn began to react with the Parisian absinthe. Carefully I lifted the concoction like it could explode, put it to my lips and drank.

10) I become engulfed by the same charm that had been experienced by those before me. By the time I stumbled (slightly) back into the night, I felt like La Fee Verte! All winks, smiles and charm but I’m no expert yet! There’s still a long way to go......read more