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Period punch at the St Pancras Renaissance.
The Booking Office at Renaissance St Pancras goes all-out to evoke a bygone era, with one of the most original cocktail menus in London
The St Pancras Renaissance Hotel - the stunning Gothic-style hotel next to St Pancras station - recently made a long-awaited return to the London hotel scene after a painstaking restoration. And it seems that the team at its Booking Office Bar have been inspired to relive the 5 star railway hotel‘s rich history by reviving some old tipples on its cocktail menu.
When the original Midland Grand first opened in 1873 it did so at the height of Victorian London’s punch culture – so what better way to pay tribute to the past than by basing the new bar’s menu on the punches of the time?
The bespoke drinks menu features the likes of Arrack Punch, Burnt Brandy and Purl, introducing long-lost Victorian punches to modern day London. They’re bringing back the old flavours and styles of the time, authentically serving their concoctions in hand-made copper punch bowls.
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The Booking Office Bar is a lovely place to while away the time while waiting for a train at adjacent St Pancras station!
The Booking Office Bar’s mixologists also try to recreate the original methods and techniques used in Victorian-era punches. The making of Milk Punch involves leaving a concoction of lemon and orange rind, sugar, nutmeg, brandy and rum to stand for a week before adding water and scalded milk – it doesn’t sound so great, but we’re assured it’s delicious!
And for anyone who’s not a fan of cocktails, the Booking Office has a range of traditional ales, ciders and porters from historic (and contemporary) British brewers. There’s also the St Pancras Champagne Bar just outside.
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The hotel's lobby area is as gorgeous as the bar, to the extent that you can even now book tours of the hotel
So if you’re done with daiquiris and fancy something a little different, head to the St Pancras Renaissance’s Booking Office Bar for a truly unique experience and drinks that are a bit stronger than the norm. When my blogging colleague Rajul went over to check out the Victorian cocktails recently, he found that they literally did pack quite a punch!
It’s set to take its place as one of the best London hotel bars.
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Photo credits: St Pancras Renaissance Hotel.
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