Oriole

Decorated in an old colonial style, with painted murals, African artefacts and deep blue furnishings, it couldn’t be more of a contrast to the world outside and above.

The bar is open Tuesdays to Saturdays from 6pm until late and has an over-21s policy, likely to keep the environment sophisticated.

Expect old-school hospitality on your visit, with table service and live music every evening.

A series of offers have also been created to bring some added value to this already exceptional venue, including Cocktails and Canapes, consisting of a welcome drink, two bar bites and any cocktail from the menu, which is priced at £25 per person.

Also is the Dinner and Show offering, which consists of a welcome drink, one large plate, one small plate and one dessert, as well as any cocktail from the menu. The cover charge for the live music, along with a great view of the stage, are also included in the price of £40-£45 per person.

We’ll get on to cocktail styles soon, but Oriole also offers a small but perfectly formed list of food, featuring several clever dishes.

But for the main reason you’re here – the cocktails. On introducing the cocktail menu, the bar says: “These are the fruits of exile, empire and exploration – new tastes, colours and ingredients discovered in the farthest reaches of the globe: brought back, cherished, embraced.”

Oriole’s cocktail menu is a trip around the world, covering Europe, Africa, the Americas and the Orient, with each page displaying a variety of animals and plants indigenous to the parts of the world mentioned in the guide. Not only can you sup delicious cocktails in a unique environment, you can also learn about the flora and fauna from the associated regions. Who said cocktails weren’t educational?

Single cocktail servings range between £12 and £15, while it costs £10 per person for sharing cocktails.

Notable serves include Cities of the Plane, made using Bulleit Rye, Bruxo X Mezcal, bitter cherry liqueur, cedar wood vermouth and nougat amaro; Peranakan Fizz made using Roku Gin, fermented marzipan panda verjus, poppy flower kefir and marshmallow meringue; and Lucknow Cocktail made with Suntory Toki Whisky, rose kombucha, vetiver and bergamot liqueur, lemon juice and Veuve Clicquot Champagne.