On Thursday 28 November, The Retiring Room, a new subterranean bar inspired by the retiring rooms of India’s train stations, will open its doors for the very first time.
Tucked underneath Bombay Bustle on Mayfair’s Maddox Street, the celebratory opening night will see award-winning bartender Didier Van den Broeck behind the bar for one evening only, as party-goers snack on Mumbai-influenced canapés.
Starting at 9pm, Van den Broeck will be mixing serves from Dogma, his Antwerp bar, including a Japanese Blossom with Martini Extra Dry, Bombay Sapphire East gin, fino sherry, lychee, and grapefruit, and the Death Dry Drop, with Santa Teresa 1796, vintage 1998 oloroso sherry, yellow chartreuse and black rice.
For something more savoury, there’s the Kimchi Dog with Patrón Reposado, kimchi, celery and agave, or the Bloody Mary with Grey Goose, tomato, hoisin and chipotle. To eat, canapés at The Retiring Room will be courtesy of Executive Chef Surender Mohan, and will include bite sized aloo tuk, crispy Bombay fried chicken, and aromatic curry patta prawns.
Following the opening celebrations, 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.
There’s the Paan Collins, made with sloe gin, St. Germain, paan - or betel leaf - liqueur, and a homemade plum syrup; the all-black Incognito, with Gosling black rum, pineapple juice, ginger beer, and activated charcoal; and the Pearl of Bombay with Russian Standard vodka, passion fruit chutney, passion fruit juice, and a garnish of edible pearls.
Designed by Fabled Studio, The Retiring Room’s 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 bar is enclosed by brilliant-cut glass screens. Deep, burgundy leather-clad booths line the walls, while the timber-panelled ceiling is hung with decorative wrought-iron light fittings.
Co-founder Samyukta Nair 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. I’m thrilled that Didier is joining us from Antwerp for what promises to be an evening of celebration to kick things off.”
The Retiring Room at Bombay Bustle will open on Thursday 28 November with the launch party beginning at 9pm.