Low 302

Low 302 is a quiet achiever. It may not be as heavily awarded as say, Eau de Vie, it's consistently punching above its weight. Heavy scarlet curtains line the room, complete with baby grand piano. High tables are dotted throughout - perfect if you're here to punch through a few cocktails - while low tables are set up to accommodate larger groups and snackers. Sure, you could hit a few beers or a glass of wine here, but that would be a waste of talents of the bar crew such as bartender Rory Vega. Try a crisp, tart and aniseedy Chartreuse School Bus (gin, yellow chartreuse, elderflower liqueur, shaken with lemon juice). It's in no way suitable for children but a great way to break into a Friday night. They're doing a barrel-aged Vieux Carre here, too, and if you're a fan of dark spirits and boozy drinks, you'll want to try a Steel City. It's a bitter-sweet mix of bourbon, spiced sugar syrup and a very decent slug of Fernet Branca with a dash of chocolate bitters – short, sharp and eminently drinkable. There's live music, DJs and plenty of other stuff going on through the week and best of all, they're open late late late. We heart Low 302 - the dark horse with a helluva kick.