PocketSquare skyline bar & terrace review, Whitechapel, London
PocketSquare has that wow factor that only a rooftop bar can give – brilliant views. Though high up on the Hyatt building it’s just a quick lift ride up to the 9th floor to get to the ever-so cosy PocketSquare bar and terrace.
The wrap around terrace means you get excellent views over a city famed for its towering skyscrapers. Sipping cocktails on heady evenings looking at panoramic view of London’s iconic skyline is undoubtedly a real treat. Thoughtfully placed standing screens means easy picture taking for those Instagram posts.
Decor is colourful artworks, distinctive lighting and bright hues and a darkish area best for whispering sweet nothings. There is also a gorgeous blue tiled bar behind which the magic is conjured up into their highlight offering – their specially curated cocktails. The menu of eight signature cocktails is mainly gin-based and created at PocketSquare’s cocktail Laboratory. Each has a story relating to East London’s history.
PocketSquare’s colourful decor
The Cocktails at PocketSquare
There’s a selection of eight unique specially curated cocktails alongside the classics, wines and beers. We naturally gravitated to the signature cocktails.
We started with a Meiso – (£16 Roku Gin, Mikan Essence, Peach & Aloe Vera Sake, Bamboo & Stevia Syrup). The word means ‘meditation,’ so it’s to be sipped slowly so that you can enjoy its changing flavours with the “beauty and calm of the Kyoto Gardens in Holland Park”.
Suitably clam, we were now ready for and curious about the Enigma – (£16 Hepple Gin infused biscuits, Marshmallow Syrup, Chocolate Bitters, Coffee Foam). This is inspired by the Enigma Cipher Machine, known for the vital role it played during WWII. Alan Turing and his attempts to crack the Enigma machine code changed history. It comes topped with a dark chocolate sculpture.
At this point, feeling rather heady, we ordered some food – a Margherita pizza (£12 San Marzano DOP Tomato Sauce, Mozzarella, Basil, Extra Virgin Olive Oil) and Tonno pizza (£15 Tuna, Cherry Tomatoes, Red Onion, Capers, Mozzarella, Olives) and a side of fries. This was a perfect way to balance our cocktail intake.
Then we continued our cocktail jive with a Hive (£16 Hendricks, Strawberry Shrub, Ancho Reyes, Lemon). The Hive is inspired by London’s bee lovers including The London Beekeeper’s Association and their promotion of the city’s bee colonies. The crafty inclusion of Ancho Reyes gives this drink a spicy kick. It is topped with a rose jelly made Hendricks gin.
The Taiyo (£16 Roku Gin, Yuzu, Plum Wine) the name means ‘sun’ in Japanese, or ‘big ocean.’ It was conceived in the spirit of navigator William Adams, the 17th century’s first Western samurai whose London office at the East India Company was a few blocks from PocketSquare’s location. It comes topped with rice paper and lots of citrus zing.
From the classic selection, my sweet tooth was craving the Fermented Banana Colada (£13 Discarded banana, Wray & Nephew, Pineapple juice and Coconut) and I enjoyed every sip of this fruity number.
We tried the delicious Summer negroni (£13 Aperol, 1757 Dry, Italicus), which was a fine way to end a heady, fun evening of flavours in an away-from-it all atmosphere.
Verdict:
Pocketsquare offers intimacy, a wrap round terrace with views over the skyscrapers of East London, great cocktails and snacks. I would.
PocketSquare Skyline Bar and Terrace
9th Floor, Hyatt Place London City East
45 Whitechapel Road, E1 1DU
The post PocketSquare skyline bar & terrace review, Whitechapel, London appeared first on The Travel Magazine.
