Purl

This is an AMAZING place for a date or a party. You can book booths so it’s dark and intimate. There’s table service so you’ll never have to queue at the bar and can focus on conversation.
The drinks here are the conversation starters. Our first drink was a whisky based drink with fluffy egg whites, which came with a balloon smothered in Chambord. The idea was raspberry air would infuse the drink when the balloon was popped.
Our second drink was a fruity, modern version of a piña colada that was served out of a sun tan lotion bottle. This one was way too easy to drink.
Its not cheap and you have to book so it takes the spontaniety out of visiting, but if you have a special occasion coming up then book a booth and you will have an entertaining night.
Tip: Look for the man with the clipboard outside the door as Purl is downstairs and easy to meet if you’re walking down the street. This keeps the riff raff out :)

This is a true cocktail bar. Classy, friendly staff, phenomenal cocktails — each with a unique twist. Almost every cocktail I have had here comes with something edible — from a cheese straw to a marshmallow to grapes! Fun and quirky, there was also a live piano and cello player while I was there which was a nice touch. Highly recommend.

Ow, my head. Who gets into a deep conversation with the bartender over how to make the perfect Vesper, and what is the best substitute for Kina Lillet since its discontinuation? Us, apparently, that’s who. Or more specifically my mate Matt; and only in Purl.
I guess seeing as the bar is named after the old English drink, Wormwood Ale (‘Purl’), including in it that ingredient so famous for its psychoactive properties in absinthe, I shouldn’t be so surprised if my head wasn’t worse for wear after a trip (our 4^th) here.
Pros:
+ The cocktails are great, with one exception (see later). The pageantry is great, things explode, you set things on fire and feel like a crack-​head with the resulting concoction, they bubble, they smoke. honestly it is fun.
+ The bartenders are top of their game, and really really know their stuff. You ask for an Old-​Fashioned, they’ll ask what whiskey. A martini? What gin? A Vesper? What vodka. Not sure what to chose, let it up to them, but be warned the best cocktails come at the nose-​bleeding price altitude.
+ Great spots and couches located near the bar, with a somewhat secret back area that is more modern and can seat large private groups of guests in a few beige-​leather ‘U’ couch area.
+ Waiting staff are top-​notch
+ You sometimes get give samples of cocktails from the bar, just because they are getting rid of a batch (i.e. anything frozen/​iced) or just cause they may want to try something out. It is great, and to be honest, more places should just let the staff do a bit of easy customer service.
Cons:
— The Dr. Jeykll & Mr. Hyde was like drinking an ashtray. It just wasn’t pleasant.
— Prices are a bit higher than the ‘going-​rate’ across London (seems to be averaging out at £8-£10 pounds these days), but I guess the worth is there.
Getting in: The door guys are always a bit funny, and always go to ask if there is space/​if we can be allowed in. Frankly I think its just a thing to make it appear exclusive. We’ve never, ever, found it to be too busy, despite (or maybe because of) Chiltern Firehouse being across the road. Admittedly we go on Wednesdays, and seems like you should reserve Thursday-​Saturday!
Ambitious, slightly pretentious, mischievous, masterful, boozy, secretive, pricey, romantic with the hope of salaciousness; all words you could sum up about Purl.
Go there and see what you make of it!

Definitely a top-​shelf cocktail bar, lots of style, very much demonstrating the knowledge of the folk making and serving the drinks. Most authentic Pisco Sour I’ve had outside of Peru, definitely the kind of place you can feel comfortable going ‘off piste’. The speciality drinks all have a theme and a touch of the theatre: my favourite being the Hyde which came with its own flavoured dry ice in a silver bowl. Unnecessary? Maybe, but a lot of fun.
Drinks felt a little ‘light’ though — i expect cocktails to be a minimum of a double-​measure, and tbh after 1x speciality (Joker) and 3x Pisco Sours, I’d expect to be well on my way to wobbletown. I was not. Others in our crowd thought the same on discussion the next day.
If this was happy hour in a lounge bar, i’d expect a lighter mix — but not when paying £10-£14 a drink in a place as professional as this.

In my continuing accidental tour of London cocktail bars, this one is pretty interesting. The drinks all have a special addition to them of some sort, in terms of accompaniment or presentation. Novelty.
Interior is pretty nice as well, best was the two people sitting at the piano, using it as a table. Neat trick, that.

Stopped in for after dinner drinks from the nearby chiltearn firehouse and really enjoyed the cozy vintage vibe. We had 6 in our group and were able to get seated in our semi private lounge area with stuffed leather couches and a big center table. Our server was super helpful in helping us navigate the menu as the majority of the group preferred vodka and the cocktail menu was a bit heavier on other liquors vs. vodka. I got one of their specials for the day and then had my next drink had a much heavier Asian influence and must’ve had 10 ingredients in it! Everyone really enjoyed their drinks and we were able to have nice conversation among our group as it was quite intimate.

Definitely my favourite pick so far from the speakeasy wave that has flooded London. I found it more interesting and intimate than most of the others I’ve been to, and without falling into the style-​over-​substance trap.
Make a reservation in advance as it’s pretty busy, though the nice thing is you don’t really notice it when you’re in there as there’s all sorts of nooks and crannies and little tables in alcoves around every corner, so you can still get some privacy (though admittedly there was a couple sat opposite us that were exposed enough for us to hear some pretty painful first date chat!!).
The drinks are imaginative but crucially still tasty — enjoy the novelty value of some dry ice, silly straw specs, and my personal fave, the ‘detonated lemon’ of the Cerez Joker (I won’t ruin it for you ;) They also bring out little munchies which is always a win. And in case you weren’t enjoying the secret drinking den feel enough, the live jazz band later on are awesome.
Best to book a pre-​dinner slot I think so that you don’t lose track of time and end up spending a bomb — also I err found it only takes one of their cocktails to feel a little wobbly… :-$

Purl is a busy and stylish subterranean cocktail bar with a nice atmosphere in quiet and beautiful Marylebone. Its knowledgeable bartenders offer great drinks recommendations and make sure you will get to know new drinks that match your taste.
When I was looking for a suitable bar for a first date, I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to finally check out Purl in Marylebone. I was lucky, I walked in in the early evening to book two places for later — and surprisingly they still had two spots by the bar. But you should really book a few days in advance, as it seems to be busy most of the time. And I guess, since Chiltern Firehouse became quite popular recently, Purl might be even busier than it already was before.
As it goes, I spent a good half an hour waiting, which was fine, because sitting at the bar, you can chat to the bartenders and also just watch them do their thing — always fascinating.
After starting off with a white wine, I soon moved over to cocktails. I looked through the menu, and then asked the bartender for recommendendations — after specifying a few basics (gin!), he came up with some suggestions.
The first cocktail was not too complicated, but very fresh and delicious. The second or third then was a more advanced drink. It came in two parts that I had to mix together myself. A brilliant idea, but my tipsy, clumsy self managed to break the glass in the mixing process, so that one did not go down too well. However, the embarrassment was manageable and overall, we really had a nice evening with excellent cocktails at Purl.
If you enjoy tasty cocktails in a relaxed, dimly lit environment mixed by experts, Purl is definitely a place for you.