We’ve had a number of places on our ‘one’s to watch’ list. Most have had outstanding independent reviews and we thought we’d tell you about them all at once ……..and they’re not all in London!
Oriole Bar is however, in London and has been named as one of the world’s best bars. They also got a mention from Vanity Fair as the place to go. They say it’s the
‘antidote to the flashy West End…An old school night club’ and the ‘Silver Bullet, made with vintage spirits distilled in the 1930s’, is the cocktail to go for.
With regard to accessibility it’s in Smithfield and following the ‘speakeasy’ style of its sister establishment, Nightjar, (reviewed previously) it’s down 28 stairs. There’s a secure bannister but going down is at your own risk. They have told us that the ‘flooring is smooth throughout and there is a disabled toilet. The acoustics are to a high standard.’ So if you’re on the adventurous side it sounds like a cool place to visit. Generally you have to book a table and sometimes a charge is added for the live music. They get a provisional 2 BBS Ticks … let’s hope a trendy speakeasy will soon be available without stairs!
Next is Polpo in Leeds, located in Harvey Nichols 4th Floor where we’ve already reviewed the access. Suffice to say the access is flat and via a lift and they share the fully equipped disabled toilet with the 4th Floor Cafe/Bar. Polpo is a new addition to Harvey Nichols and follows the success at bringing Venetian cooking to Soho (original Polpo reviewed here). The Yorkshire Evening Post gives the food a detailed ‘going over’ and surmised that the small plates are larger than expected but
‘prices remain reasonable, portions generous and, with minor reservations, the dishes are still bursting with originality and freshness. Despite the dangers of a growing empire destroying what made it so popular in the first place, Polpo has retained its edge.’
They get a provisional 2.5 BBS Ticks from us based this and on our past reviews.
3rd on the list is Urban Standard in Bristol Time Out only gave it 3 stars but elsewhere they very often get 4. It’s a sells craft beer, burgers and cocktails and is located in an old amusement arcade. They told us there’s a small 1-2″ step/ledge to get in and a fully accessible disabled toilet with 3 grab rails. We put it on the list as we’ve been told it’s the latest trendy place in Bristol. So we’ve given it a provisional 2 BBS Ticks. Looks a bit too industrial but let us know if you’ve been, contact us.
Finally we go to Berlin and the 25Hours Bikini Hotel. Situated next to the Zoo the rooftop restaurant and bar looks out over it and the city. It’s located in the listed Bikinihaus and they’ve created a hotel that make ‘contrasts nature and culture’…a jungle? The Guardian says it’s the latest ‘hipster’ hangout and
‘Sexy by name and nature, the 25 Hours Bikini hotel is helping spread Berlin’s cool vibe to the previously unhip City West’.
As far as accessibility is concerned they told us,
‘Yes we do have disabled toilets on the 3rd floor at the lobby area. Also we don’t have stairs at the main entrance, so the guest can easily access to the elevators. We also do have two disabled rooms on the 4th floor which have wet room showers, hand rails and lots of space to move around. They have the view to the Jungle side.’ (German efficiency as always).
Based on this they get a provisional 3 BBS Ticks as it sounds and looks amazing. Can’t wait to visit and if you’ve been to this or any of the other places let us know what you think.