Evans and Peel Detective Agency
The broad tells me to get to Earls Court station at six. Says she’s got me a surprise… that it’s got something with ‘Bainbridge’. She takes me down a side street off the beaten track. Just as I’m thinking, “What the hell is going on?” we stop outside ‘Evans and Peel Detective Agency’. Now my head is really spinning. And who the hell is Bainbridge?
She presses the buzzer and another dame answers; asks if we got an appointment. Turns out we do and she buzzes us in. The stairs take us down to a 1940s-style reception. Transpires the broad – my girl – contacted them to track down this Bainbridge. Turns out he’s my friend. First I’ve heard of it… Then this dame at reception tells us to wait in the bar to await further instructions. She opens a fake bookcase and we enter.
You may have guessed that this wasn’t a real detective agency nor am I Sam Spade. No we were in a detective-themed cocktail bar in Kensington – arranged by my girlfriend- and what followed was a fun hour of cocktail drinking. I’ll drop the vaguely misogynistic faux film noir prose now; partly because this is when the staff dropped the act (and it became regular cocktail bar) but mainly to avoid becoming single.
The waitress sat us down and gave us some Focaccia bread with olive oil (very tasty). To wash it down, I ordered an Old Fashioned – which came with a shortbread – and my girlfriend asked for something sweet with a touch of sour (which describes us as a couple quite well too). Not sure exactly what she got but it was a tad too sweet for me – though she loved it. My drink was smoky with a real tang from the orange. Best Old Fashioned I’ve had.
My second drink was a variation on the first, but with a salt and pepper twist. It may sound odd but it was delicious. And strong. So much so I quickly forgot that that this was a fake detective agency and found myself in the bathroom wailing “Bainbridge! Where are you Bainbridge!” into the cistern. The toilets are worth a look at too by the way.
The bar itself looked brilliant; with warm, low lights emanating out of antique lampshades. Perfect for an intimate date. I was slightly disappointed that they didn’t extend the detective theme with the waiting staff. Having said that, with one more drink down me I may have manipulated my fingers into the shape of a gun (Mr Bean style) and shot my way out of the place. So perhaps it’s just as well.
Recommended!
Written by Gareth Brown
Check out Gareth’s Booksie page for his short stories and Youtube Channel for films.
Cocktails are £10 each.
There is a selection of wines and champagne.
Bar food including burgers and sandwiches can be ordered.
Phone to make an appointment
+44 20 7373 3573
For Drawer information
Address
310c Earls Court Road W.8, London SW5 9BA, United Kingdom
More information:
