Inspired by the free-thinking style of the great British bohemian tradition, Our Patchouli fragrance is an intricate scent that harks back to long nights at the Café de Paris in the 1890s along with the rowdy mayhem of Fitzrovia in the 1950s.
Whilst such classic romanticism might be slightly out of modern day boundaries, there are still certain opportunities across London to adhere to such bohemian settings and behaviour. Here are some of our favourites:
The New Evaristo Club, Greek Street
A genuine take on a contemporary speakeasy. Met by a bright blue door, you would think you had arrived to a house party. Take a right and head downstairs however and you soon find yourself in one of London's busiest area's quietest bars. Cafe tables and Italian decorations fill the room as a barman awaits your order. There are no signs or adverts and even when you're inside there's no talk about the facade or acknowledgment of you finding the gem. You simply get the pleasure of being able to sit and drink away from the crowds and in your own intimate company.
ECC
Chinatown's Experimental Cocktail Club is the perfect spot for excellent service and a taste of something out of the ordinary. The expert barmen assert themselves as bona fide artists, creating fantastic cocktails rapidly and with flair - our favourite has been known to be a certain Swedish inspired Dill flower concoction. The atmosphere is dark and moody and a mirrored ceiling with art deco crystal chandeliers combine to create an elegant 20's inspired environment.
Happiness Forgets
Continuing with the cocktail theme, this basement bar in Hoxton Square offers some of the City's finest alcoholic creations. 'Great cocktails, no wallies' is the tagline, and to any creative person looking to enjoy themselves without too many a lairy distraction, we think this fits the bill just right.
Sadie Coles Gallery
With a flagship location in Mayfair, Sadie Coles branched out last year to Kingly Street with this glorious 6000 square foot space. As contemporary art's colony continues to expand across the city, be sure to visit this location whilst it is kept fairly discreet from mass public awareness. Our highlight so far was seeing Urs Fischer sculptures last year.
Critical Mass
A monthly 'mass coincidence' occurs across the city in which cyclists, skaters - anybody not causing pollution - happen to be travelling along the same path to promote a more natural and less damaging means of transport. With no set route, you have the freedom to tag along for as long as desired whilst enjoying the company of fellow green-living commuters.
Spuntino
This Soho eatery takes no reservations and doesn't even have a phone for you to try and blag a spot. Raw metallic objects decorate the room with exposed brick and wooden furnishings. The bar itself is a thing of beauty with an appealing menu to match - the truffled egg toast a particular highlight. From the outside you could easily stroll past assuming it to be either disused or in repair. Take a closer look through the dark windows however to catch the golden glow of hanging bulbs reflecting on the stacked spirit and wine bottles.
Lounge Bohemia
The entrance to this bar, as wth the New Eravisto is not an easy initial find. Once you've entered the dark narrow corridor and see newspaper sprawled across the wall however, you'll know you're in the right place. The dress code is 'no suits' and the layout is very much a sprawl of inidividual furnishings in a tight squeeze. Hardback books contain the menu cards amongst further Eastern European inspirations. You can't help shake the feeling of being in an anti-government secret society, but several fine cocktails will soon take the edge off your sense of danger.
