Swift Soho — Restaurant in London

STUNNING.

I would give 6 stars if I could! I'm going to be dead honest when I say, I thought this place was going to stink. I'd seen the press, and heard the chatter, and figured it was just going to be yet another trendy craft cocktail bar that is more style than substance.

Let me first say how absolutely, utterly wrong I was. I had chosen this spot for a quick one-off before going elsewhere. I think we stayed for... 3 rounds? 4? I lost count, we were having such an incredible time. (We did have dinner plans for real.)

Loved it. The atmosphere was marvellous. No pretentious hosts or bartenders. Other patrons all seemed to be chill and happy. The place is gorgeous. The upstairs and downstairs are like two different worlds, but somehow both are amazing. I grabbed a spot at the bar downstairs and it was the best choice. Our bartender was simply fantastic. He was friendly, knowledgeable, quick, and skilled. Best of all worlds, really.

Each cocktail was really well-balanced, and while a few leaned to the sweet side a bit too much for my partner, none were too over the top. To me, it's a mark of achievement to make a drink based on a humbug and not have it cloyingly, sickly sweet. It was smooth and lucious without being obnoxiously gimmicky. And strong. I like strong. In England, getting strong cocktails can be a bit of a wild goose chase, but here, the pours are solid. I was so impressed by the quality of every drink.

The absolute best bit was at the end, the bartender gave us a small taste of their famous Irish coffee. I hadn't wanted to order one because, I mean, how good could it possibly be? It's just an Irish coffee and I assumed the hype was overblown.

It isn't. It is honestly the most spectacular Irish coffee I've had in my life. In all honesty, I've had a lot of bad ones, so the bar is low, but this was something on another level. People aren't kidding when they say to order this.

Excellent, excellent visit and I can't wait to return again. (And please, our biggest thanks to the bartender! Please tell him he is amazing! (I wish I could remember his name but he's in one...

Swift Cocktail Bar, Soho: 'A Symphony of Spirits' – Cocktail Review

Swift, Address, Soho, London. Cocktails £10-£16, small plates £6-£12

Let's get this out of the way: the cocktails at Swift are nothing short of remarkable, so much so that they outshine the already stellar vibe of this Soho joint. At first glance, you might peg Swift as just another trendy pop cocktail bar, vying for your attention in London's vibrant nightlife. But trust me, it's so much more than that.

Atmosphere You walk into Swift and are greeted by an atmosphere that feels like a sip of a well-made Old Fashioned—cool, comfortable, and surprisingly complex. The lighting sets the mood, and the design elements seem perfectly balanced. Downstairs, the acoustics are impeccable, making the already subtle music resonate at just the right frequency. You'd expect nothing less from a place that takes its cocktails this seriously.

The Cocktails Ah, the pièce de résistance! Each cocktail here is a symphony of spirits and mixers, meticulously crafted and presented with flair. The menu provides a generous range of options, each promising a unique flavor experience. I'd say, wait a little if you have to, but don't leave without sampling their artistry in a glass.

The People The patrons were a breath of fresh air—laid-back, cool, and surprisingly, not mainly Londoners. Maybe it's the magnetic pull of Swift's cocktail craftsmanship, or perhaps it's the word-of-mouth that has transcended borders. But whatever the reason, it adds to the eclectic, relaxed vibe of the place.

Price The prices are what you'd expect for top-notch cocktails in the heart of Soho. Considering the quality, they're well justified. You're not just paying for a drink; you're paying for a carefully curated experience that dances on your palate and lingers in your memory.

In conclusion, Swift in Soho is where you go to lose yourself in the world of cocktails, surrounded by an atmosphere and clientele as appealing as the drinks themselves. It's a 'come as you are' sort of place, and you'll leave thrilled that you...

THE ATMOSPHERE - I have to say I liked this place very much. The vibe I got as I stepped in was a good one. Young trendy people chatting and sipping away on cocktails in a low lit bar. It was very busy and they only have a small space so we had to stand at the bar. We was offered a table downstairs and off we went. More of the same as upstairs but slightly upped. The menu is different and it's darker downstairs. Making it very sexy. Even sat at the bar I found myself feeling like it was just me and my date. People keep to themselves even the staff leaving you to have a level or privacy I didn't expect to be able to get in such a small space especially with it being so full. That said when the staff are needed they are there. Empty water glasses are refilled sometimes without you even noticing. They have a good selection of cocktails ( I didn't know any by name and choose one that sounded good ) THE DRINKS - it may seem weird for me to go on about the ice rather than the drink ( the drink was nice very nice,strong and sweet but not too much of either, I could have easily had 3 more but me and my pocket would have been feeling it the next morning - 2 cocktails came to £27 ) Back to the ice... I felt like I had a piece of history in my glass. It looked like it was cut off the iceberg that sank the Titanic (it wasn't ) but it was one solid square cut piece of ice. That didn't melt. Given the atmosphere of the place and how long you'll spend talking. Ice not melting and watering down your cocktail is very important. Thanks for the experience. I will be...