When drinks experts Will Partridge and Chris Dennis launched their innovative West Hampstead cocktail concept, Heads + Tails, it marked a bright new dawn for the leafy London area, which although undoubtedly lovely, hasn’t always been a destination renowned for its quality mixology.
Now a year old, the venue has firmly established its footing as a destination cocktail bar that you’d happily run the London travel gauntlet for, whether it’s after work drinks on the cards or something more date-like. Go ‘Heads’ and sample cocktails on the ground floor at the gold, blue-accented and sleek bar, or descend into the sultry downstairs area that offers up the antithesis that is the ‘Tails’ menu, where there’s also a little secret garden to be found.
‘Heads’ bar
The bar has recently launched its winter drinks menu, with many a warming, bold option while also maintaining a variety of cocktail styles to suit all tastes. If you want to keep it lighter (although drinks still pack a very decent punch), the ‘Heads’ menu has options that include the brandy-happy ‘Sex, Lies and Video Grapes’, an adventure in Pisco topped with Prosecco. ‘Like a Verjus’ has a sweet-tart zing with Passionfruit-infused Belvedere and soda keeping things refreshing.
‘Sex, Lies and Videograpes’
From the light to the enjoyably dark, the seductively-lit basement bar which is but a hop away will treat you to shorter concoctions focusing in on whisky and rum. Strap in for the short and stirred offerings, which are as inventive as they are moreish. The bourbon, Tio Pepe and Mezcal-tinged ‘Russeliana’ suits the ‘Tails’ atmosphere, adding a pleasing sour cherry kick. If you like your whisky Scottish and smokey, ‘Strawb’roy’ has you covered, with a recipe entailing Ardbeg 10 year old and Strawberry Cinzano Rosso. Up your rum game with ‘Dairy Girls’ – a not to be missed Havana Especial number teamed with an Earl Grey milk punch.
‘Tails’ basement bar
Heads + Tails, 175 West End Lane, London, NW6 2LH
