London´s arty/fashionable/on-the-up Hoxton neighborhood is given a dash of sophistication in the form of the Hoxton Pony lounge and bar. The brainchild of man-about-town Gerry Calabrese son of London´s legendary cocktail expert Salvatore Calabrese the new bi-level space is sleek and minimalist and packed with the local creative contingent. Not surprisingly, cocktails are the focus, with an impressive range of premium spirits and exotic fruit syrups. Already an East London institution.
Whilst Shoreditch is the precinct of edge, the watering hole of cool, it also boasts the odd posh pull-in. The Hoxton Pony is one such establishment, offering the Sloaney Ponys of London a safe place to get down and ‘dirty’ in the East End. The two levels are lavishly decorated with intricate Renaissance wall frescoes, taxidermied birds in glass boxes, part of a spray-painted, crushed car and cool circular strip lights in the low-ceilinged downstairs dance floor. The cocktail menu is pretty impressive, with drinks sometimes coming in teacups rather than glasses, whilst an open kitchen serves up British grub like scampi and chips. The music veers between vintage gems and electronica, with a bit of pop thrown in to keep the beautiful people happy, whilst guest DJs have included fashion fan favourites Henry Holland and Giles Deacon.
Address: 104-108 Curtain Road, Hoxton London