Second Floor Bar

For my birthday I was given the gift that kept on giving — a bottle of Lola perfume that came with a free ‘Lola inspired’ cocktail at Harvey Nichols’ Second Floor Bar. I don’t know whether it was because I was expecting to drink alongside the hoi polloi of Bristol, or because the bar brandishes the Harvey Nicks name, but I was overwhelmed by how un-​special it felt.
It’s got all the right ingredients — sexy low lighting, a fully stocked and extensive bar and happy, helpful staff. But something about the place felt really ordinary. Maybe it was the cheesy Radio 1-​like soundtrack playing in the background? Or how uncomfortably empty the already tiny bar was? Or maybe it’s just because I was expecting too much of a small cocktail bar?
Despite the somewhat stilted the surroundings were it was definitely the drinks that stole the show. My Lola cocktail was as seductive as the perfume itself: sweet and full bodied and yummy as anything. But if you’re looking for a more butch beverage I’d recommend the Brunel Mojito — although there’s plenty to choose from.
At £9 — £10 a cocktail I’d think twice about going back again, but I won’t forget how much I enjoyed my drinks any time soon.