- 2023 Highest New Entry
SOMA is Rik Campbell and Will Bowlby of Indian-inspired restaurant group Kricket’s venture into the bar world. Its name is derived from a Vedic Sanskrit word that means to ‘distil and extract’ – which the bar states is an invitation to explore the purity of flavour within re-imagined classics.
SOMA is also the name of the Hindu Moon God, who was personified by an ancient drink. The speakeasy opened its doors in 2021 in Kricket’s original Denman Street location.
With a 3am license, it’s the perfect place to spend a long evening. The cool, darkly mysterious bar holds space for 23 people and is open Tuesday through to Sunday. There’s a huge nine metre steel bar as well as a separate lounge bar off to the side.
Drinks are inspired by the Indian subcontinent and neighbouring countries. Titled ‘In Search of the Divine’. There’s the Coconut Ramos Fizz which mixes Jindea gin with coconut yogurt, citrus blossoms and pink grapefruit soda, and the Chaat Margarita which combines Tapatio Blanco with Mezcal Verde, chaat masala, gooseberry and kumquat.
Other riffs on the classics include a savoury pickled Mooli Martini and a coconut and jaggery Old Fashioned.
Nibbles are also available, and include Indian crackers made from leftover restaurant rice, with yoghurt on the side.
SOMA mostly relies on walk-ins but groups of six or more can book a space at the spot.
Bowbly started Kricket after spending two years cooking European food for Indians in Mumbi. He had noticed a gap in the market for modern, accessible Indian food. His business partner Campbell has a background in corporate finance. It’s clear their business venture has been taken to new heights at SOMA.
