Sometimes living in London can make one pine for an escape. Sure London may be great, but we long for sandy beaches, tropical vibes, and perpetually sunny skies. It’s no wonder, then, that so many of London’s restaurants and bars take inspiration from Latin America. They bring the vibes over the pond, allowing us to escape without the airfare costs! One such tropical oasis of a cocktail bar, The Leaf and Cane, has recently reopened to entice Londoners with its rum-fuelled delights.
Just a hop, skip, and a jump away from Blackfriars station, The Leaf and Cane is a true hidden escape in the middle of London. Guests are invited to escape the city “to a jungle of vibrant-styled mixology and soul-quenching street food from the southern hemisphere”.
Inside, it’s a tropical-influenced aesthetic inspired by the many cultures that are spread out across South America. But this isn’t some over-the-top, tacky tiki bar. Instead, there’s an elegance that suffuses the whole affair. And there’s even a hefty dose of history too, with nine special stone vaults that date back to the building’s original use as a woman’s prison. Talk about a memorable drinking and dining experience!
All the while, live entertainment keeps guests entertained with a mixture of music that encompasses jazz tunes and Afro-Cuban beats. It’s tropical vibes everywhere you turn, and you’ll forget all about the concrete city outside the bar’s doors.
On the menu at The Leaf and Cane
So, it’s gorgeous inside – but what’s on offer to fill your stomach and sate your thirst? A menu of delightful cocktails takes inspiration from flavours from around the globe, with an emphasis on tropical delights – and plenty of rum and rum-adjacent liquors and liqueurs.
Among the drinks to choose from are the Gracious Beast with Discarded Banana Peel Rum, Disaronno, Toasted Cashew Orgeat, and Black Walnut Bitters, and the Alluring Beauty (pictured above) with Havana Club 3yo, Yellow Chartreuse, Pomegranate & Hibiscus Liqueur, Pineapple, Citrus, Creole & Molasses Bitters, Absinthe Spray, Aquafaba. Other drinks make use of ingredients that range from Coconut Cream to Spiced Mango, Passion Fruit Honey, and more. You’ll be hard-pressed to choose, so settle in and enjoy a few!
The food takes inspiration from all over the vast South American continent and is carefully selected to complement the drinks. Choose from tasty morsels like the Taco Al Pastor, Cassava Fries, and even Pão De Queijo, among many other choices. But save room for The Leaf and Cane’s signature Dulce Churros to finish it all off.
Next time you’re dreaming of sunnier climes and tropical times, head on down to The Leaf and Cane. They’ll bring South America to you, for a fantastic night out.