There are two entrances to David Myers' speakeasy bar Poppy - one from a concrete staircase outside of the restaurant BASTA (also by Myers), and one through the emergency exit - none of them are marked, which makes this place even more intriguing. The interiors tick the boxes, and so do the decorations - this place eats and breathes good drinks, and they do deliver decent cocktails, although the head bartender needs to read the ingredients in the menu (big faux pas!). But when asked if they could lower the music to a decent conversation level (given there were only three guests in the premises), it's a straight up 'no, the music will be even louder in a few hours’, which definitely isn’t a reason good enough.
Go here for the atmosphere and drinks, but not during the weekend - and you may be lucky.
Atmosphere: 5/8
Difficult to find, beautiful interiors, but too loud music.
Cocktails: 6/8
Decent craft from the not very forthcoming bartender.
Bartenders: 3/8
Being alone in a bar should give you some leverage, right? Not here - when asked to lower the music, the bartender simply said 'no'.
Ice: 3/8
It's simple - good cocktails demand good ice.
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