A new bar inspired by the retiring rooms of India’s train stations is opening its doors underneath Mayfair restaurant Bombay Bustle.
The subterranean venue, named The Retiring Room, comes from Samyukta Nair, entrepreneur and co-founder of restaurant brand Jamavar.
Designed by Fabled Studio, the interiors take influence from the faded glamour of the retiring rooms dotted around the railways of India, where travellers can relax before a long journey across the country.
Decorated with accents of pale pink and bottle green, the space features deep burgundy leather-clad booths, brilliant-cut glass screens and a timber-panelled ceiling hung with wrought-iron light fittings.
Visitors to The Retiring Room can expect a menu of ‘Bustlers’, a mix of both familiar cocktails given an Indian twist and brand new creations.
Examples include the Paan Collins, made with sloe gin, St Germain elderflower liqueur, paan (betel leaf liqueur) and plum syrup, and the all-black Incognito, combining Gosling black rum, pineapple juice, ginger beer and activated charcoal.
Samyukta said: “When I’m in London I adore going for cocktails with friends, so I’m really excited to bring our own take on cocktail culture to Mayfair.”
The celebratory opening night on 28 November sees award-winning bartender Didier Van den Broeck from Dogma, Antwerp, behind the The Retiring Room’s bar for one evening only.
Didier will be mixing serves such as Japanese Blossom, with Martini Extra Dry, Bombay Sapphire East gin, fino sherry, lychee and grapefruit, which guests can enjoy alongside a selection of Mumbai-influenced canapés from executive chef Surender Mohan.
