The Beachcomber

Combing the beach is not a usual activity in inner city London – Bayswater may feel like the seaside, but it resolutely is not – but at The Beachcomber on Queensway, you can certainly give yourself a taste of the water. Water that is heavily spiked with alcohol, preferably, in the form of the huge number of tiki-inspired cocktails and spirits that they offer to the post-work drinking crowd. You can pick up a bite to eat, as well, with an international menu that leaves other bars in the area in the dust. Take a trip to Queensway or Bayswater tube stations – Circle or the District line, of course – and bring your Hawaiian shirt with you.

The Beachcomber is, first and foremost, one of central London’s most creative cocktail bars. Like the cool and quirky decorations, tropical island vibes are the inspiration behind much of the cocktail menu, where familiar classics are given some great twists – perhaps the most popular here on Queensway is the ‘Mocholada’, which sees the iconic coco-pineapple drink souped up with coffee bitters, kahlua and cocoa to offer something at once relaxing and invigorating. This Bayswater bar also whips up anything from a hibiscus-infused ‘Asian Persuasion’ to a distinctly Mediterranean ‘Absinthe Makes the Heart Grow Fonder’ and shareable buckets of the ‘Mad Hatter Ti Party’.

But The Beachcomber’s offerings do not stop at top-shelf drinks, and the food is just as impressive. Loosely linking Queensway to Kingston, culinary inspiration comes mostly from Creole cookery, and it only takes one bite of The Beachcomber’s signature bokit dippers to realise that these guys know how to balance a spice mix. Go from there to The Beachcomber’s saltfish or aubergine fritters, or authentic Creole frankfurter and you’ll start to get an idea why The Beachcomber has appeared on many a guide to casual Bayswater eateries in addition to frequent mention among the best cocktail bars in central London.