Oriole - The City, London

When Nightjar hatched on Old Street it took the London cocktail world by storm, earning top billing as the best subterranean speakeasy in the city. However, London being London, yesterday's news often becomes tomorrow's chip wrappings, you need to keep inventing in order to stay ahead of the pack. The ownership of Nightjar, not content to rest on their laurels, alighted for Smithfields to set up their second avian-monikered drinks palace. Long story short, it's a thing of beauty. 

Nestled in the centre of Smithfields Market, Oriole is easily one of the most remarkable bars to open in recent years. The sprawling basement room encompasses a cool 120 covers, with a stunning mid-century modern design that splices Art Deco with neofuturism. The colour palette is dominated by bronze with striking wallpaper depicting tropical scenes circumscribing the space. 

Pendulous pendant lighting suggestive of foreign planets illuminate the bar, at the far corner of which a micro-garden is located, luminous and reminiscent of Blade Runner. Artefacts from all corners of the world are interspersed, and there's a sizeable stage in the mid-section of the room. During our visit a blues band was cranking out tunes (Calypso, Cuban Son and Brazilian Jazz are often on the menu) to a City crowd looking for a more sophisticated after-office experience. 

The cocktails are intricately wrought works of potable art. Each one presents an innovative take on a classic. Luc Cinalli has done his homework in creating sensational libations - splitting 39 cocktails across three sections of the menu: The Old World, The New World, and The Orient. Of everything tried, our favourites were Cortez the Killer, a riff on the Martinez with Don Julio Reposado, Balsamic Vermouth and Agave Tonka Syrup. The Finca Filadelfia, also an entry from the New World, was a mind-bending take on an espresso martini, made with Ron Zacapa, Antigua Guatemala coffee blend, durian foam and green coffee dust. There's plenty of food on the menu, crafted by Argentinian head chef Gustavo Gaillonard, who has created some delicious complements to the cocktails. 

Oriole has come a long way from being a nestling, it's now fully taken wing. Stop in for a cocktail flight that will blow your mind.