Milroys Of Soho

Ooh I can’t believe I must’ve walked past this little gem so many times without realising it was here! It’s more of a whisky shop by day (I think the oldest whisky shop in London in fact), but makes for an incredibly well-​stocked bar in the evenings. I was lucky enough to be brought here for an early bday celebratory dram (or three, ahem) and was already impressed when we arrived that my date had managed to find somewhere that I hadn’t heard about before — not an easy feat given how much time I spend on Unilocal… :-$
There’s a cosy speakeasy type bar in the basement called The Vault, which was rammed on a Friday eve (you can’t book for groups of fewer than 5) but we went for a nose anyway. The best part was actually the secret entrance to it hidden at the back of the shop that my date knew I would love — through a satisfyingly well-​stocked bookcase that got me silly excited. Yes it’s a quirk that’s been copied elsewhere aplenty now but the novelty value still made me smile.
The front-​of-​house was obviously rushed off her feet and said if we waited at the bar upstairs, she’d come and get us for the next table of 2. We knew we were being fobbed off — and indeed, there was no sign of her for the next couple of hours upstairs at all, just a plea not to let anyone else head downstairs — but it actually worked out for the best. It may well have been less sexy at the first floor bar (as in, no dimly-​lit corners!) but it was also quieter, more spacious, and best of all we got plenty of facetime with the two great guys behind the bar. As a whisky aficionado it was definitely the better scene for this visit.
I started with something I knew (a Kilchoman) to warm up, then spotted some Japanese bottles in the far corner. I’ve only tried a couple of suntory whiskies so asked for some guidance; the barman happily obliged with a few suggestions and let me have a good sniff from some of the bottles — much appreciated! I tried a new variety for me which had a sort of sweet-​salty taste, that linked back to the islay whiskies that I’d told him I liked at the start. Both the barmen actually had this highly knowledgable but extremely chilled way about them that I really liked. They were also good at warning you when you were about to order something that was £28 a measure eek! There’s a cocktail and wine/​beer list but no prices on the whiskies, so that was definitely v helpful for us.
I was a very happy birthday bunny, and not just because of the cosy whisky glow I soon had! We easily whiled away a couple of hours here eyeing up the well-​stocked whisky cabinets, while the bar set-​up allowed for some good people-​watching and eavesdropping as the guys advised other customers on drinks. My personal highlight was overhearing the berating one guy got for downing a good 12yr old scotch his mate had obviously got him to savour… fail!

Ok, so Milroys rocks for a couple of reasons.
First, it’s one of the best whiskey shops in London. Not only are they well stocked but they also know their stuff. Ask any of the guys who work their for help and they will help you, done, just like that.
Secondly, they have a bar within the store, which is so cool for a liquor store. So you can try before you buy. And it’s a nice place to sit and have a drink.
But lastly, and most importantly, THEY HAVE A SECRET BAR WITHIN THE STORE! And not just any secret bar, one you enter by pushing a book on a fake bookshelf which then swings in and lets you into a secret downstairs speakeasy cocktail bar called The Vaults! SO! Damn! Cool!
Although The Vaults is only open at night, so it may not be ready for you depending on when you go. But if it’s not, grab a drink at the bar on the first floor, it is worth it.

Super cute cellar called The Vault — entrance is hidden behind the bookshelves in the back of Milroy’s. Push the bookshelf on the right and descend a set of stairs to a casual speakeasy that serves delicious cocktails. They use real library books as their cocktail menus — was very, very tempted to sneak one home in my bag but resisted. They order their cocktails from light to dark liquors but feel free to ask a server for recommendations. I had the Blood in the Snow– figs, lemon, egg white, Demerara sugar, and white Armagnac– highly recommend!

Love The Vault downstairs. Newly opened it is a fantastic place to escape the hustle and bustle of Soho. Plus the cocktails are delicious, perhaps have 1 or 2 though as they’re around the £9.50 mark!
I got a little confused when I went into Milroy’s to try and find the’secret bar’, luckily a nice couple helped me find it. Helpful hint… you know that thing the books are on, give it a gentle push.

Recently reopened and has a wonderful traditional feel without any pretensions. Staff were super friendly. Hope to become a regular here :)

The guys were really nice here. I don’t know squat about whisky and they helped me pick a good one to sip on while giving me a bit of non-​patronizing education (wholly at my request). So much good stuff on offer here.

Great service, great selection, and great prices. Yes, quality whiskey is expensive, but the prices at Milroys are cheaper than Duty free, that whiskey shop in the airport, all the other specialty shops I priced out in central London, and even a bit cheaper than Astor Wines in NYC.
If you don’t have anything specific in mind then do yourself a favor and ask whoever is working what his/​her favorite bottle is. When I did that the clerk’s eyes lit up and he ran over to his favorite bottle: GlenDronach 15yr. Beautiful bottle, I’m happy I went.

There is some really, really good stuff in here, but quality definitely comes at a price. I guess you have to expect that kind of thing though, and after all, it is in Soho. The shop is definitely suited to its location, and has the kind of passion towards its quality products that most Soho stores do.
I went in there a little while ago to get a birthday present for a whisky loving friend. I found the staff to be very helpful, talking me through all the fine whisky they had on offer. I guess if you are willing to pay the price, you will definitely get your moneys worth in the service.

Fancy a wee dram? Don’t know you’re arse from your elbow when it comes to whisky? Neither do I. Milroy’s is the place to be educated. I popped in the other day. It was cold, it looked welcoming and the Scots in me has finally emerged giving me a liking for this stuff. I wondered around marvelling at the variety and the price tags, quickly realised I was likely to be leaving empty handed. Whisky is a serious business. All good things in life are expensive or better still free. Keen to educate the taste buds of us all Milroy’s are holding free shop tastings in the run up to Christmas. It’s the perfect way to warm up post last minute Christmas shopping. Go marvel at the variety, Milroy’s are serious about this liquid gold and they’re sure to treat us with some smokey delights. They also have a nice selection of wines and the best bit, in my opinion, is their selection of miniatures. Forget the usual Bells and other muck, these are miniatures of some really good whiskies. Great little stocking fillers and surely, like me you’ll want to leave the shop with something rather than nothing!