Thames-side bar Gillray’s at the London Marriott Hotel County Hall has installed a division bell so that MPs know when they need to return to the Houses of Parliament to vote.
The bell tells politicians they have eight minutes to cross Westminster Bridge to get to the Houses of Commons or Lords to vote for or against a resolution.
To celebrate the installation of the bell, the bar on the South Bank has created two new cocktails called the Ayes and Noes – named after the terms used by the House speakers to declare the results of votes.
Ayes is a sweet and fruity cocktail using egg whites, fresh lemon juice and raspberry syrup to complement London dry gin Tanqueray. It is described as “innocent and simple but with a darker side and after kick (very political)”.
Noes is a sophisticated cocktail that bounces around the palate featuring orange bitters, Bénédictine and dry vermouth with Hayman’s Old Tom Gin. It is described as intriguing, with hidden moments and a little dark.
Each cocktail is served with selection of gin-inspired canapés such as infused salmon gravlax and beef tartare with botanicals on sour dough.
