The Owl & Monkey is shaking up the London cocktail scene with wildly innovative, sustainable ingredients, and tempting NoLo options
Located inside The Other House South Kensington, which officially launched this month, the Owl & Monkey is London’s latest cocktail hotspot, shaking up one-of-a-kind signature cocktails and equally exciting non-alcoholic alternatives. The entire menu, be it the cocktails or a tempting menu of delicious small plates, is underpinned by sustainability – driving an innovative use of local and seasonal produce.
Opulence & Exotic Design
Discretely tucked away behind the façade of 11 grand, Victorian townhouses, on stepping into the Owl & Monkey you are instantly transported to a fantastical world. From the exotic jungle-like wallpaper to the cut-bronze mirrored walls and extravagant leaf-like lighting that casts a golden glow over the evening. Jade marble floors, a rich red leather bar, and contrasting animal prints and patterns add to the sense of opulence and exoticism. Centre stage to all of this, is the open atrium, offering tree top views and a glimpse into life going on in the residents and members club below.
Alcohol Free Without Compromise
Innovative cocktails, many of which are made with equally delicious alcohol-free alternatives, have been created by Head Barman, Flavio Russo, and his expert team of mixologists. Tapping into the rising demand for the low-or-no ABV beverages, with more than 30% of young people in the UK now claiming to be teetotal, the team have created a series of signature cocktails with hangover-free alternatives to meet the needs of health-conscious residents and locals.
Signature Cocktails
Utilising an array of local, seasonal, and surprising ingredients, an evolving menu of signature cocktails have been designed to tempt and delight. ‘Horse Play’ is a refreshing twist on an amaretto sour, available with a choice of alcohol-free Seedlip Spice 94 or Konik’s Tail Vodka, topped with espresso, amaretto, raspberry and beetroot cordial.
The must-try ‘Jungle Fever’ is a unique blend of The Other House Gin, Italicus, infused with fresh cucumber juice, Franklin & Son’s Ginger Ale, and chilli vinegar, finished with a spicy, salted rim. This sweet and sour cocktail is also available alcohol-free with Seedlip Garden 108, an entirely moreish drink, which can be enjoyed guilt-free.
Mixing the classic with the avant-garde, ‘Orange Is the New Sour’, has been concocted to fulfil cocktail connoisseurs’ wildest dreams. Casamigos Mezcal and Aperol is served with freshly squeezed carrot juice, bold citrus, English Breakfast tea and garnished with Ms Better’s Bitters Foamer. The refreshing result is also available alcohol-free using Everleaf Marine and Rock Samphire.
In addition to the Owl & Monkey’s signature and classic cocktails, a tempting menu of sharing plates is available to complement the drinks menu. Light bites such as padron peppers in whipped feta, roasted aubergine in red miso, soy and sesame, and slow-cooked short rib of beef sliders, are all served-up against a backdrop of curated playlists and live DJ sets, transitioning comfortably from early evening to late at night.
Sustainability
Sustainability underpins every decision that is made at the Owl & Monkey, as is evidenced by its minimal waste policy – from dehydrating often discarded fruit and vegetable peels and transforming them into beautiful garnishes, to utilising pulp and otherwise forgotten elements of fruit and veg and utilising them as purées for the base ingredient of cocktails.
There are no limes on the menu, due to the carbon footprint, rather in its place British buckthorn for a citrus kick, or for a touch of the exotic, pineapples, which have been supplier-vetted and are transported by boat once a month.
THE OTHER HOUSE: www.otherhouse.com
The Other House is tearing up the rule book and launching a new sector of Residents Clubs, redefining the hospitality market. It effortlessly combines apartment-style living with hotel services on tap and superb club facilities. Think pied-à-terre meets private club, available for all residents to enjoy, with no membership required. It is cool, intriguing, bold and committed to sustainability. Whether it’s for a day or a year, it is your other house for as long as you are in town.
Launched in 2019, The Other House is a joint venture partnership between London Central Portfolio (LCP), leading real estate investment advisory in Prime Central London and APG, the largest pension provider in the Netherlands. The Other House opened in South Kensington in July 2022, with Covent Garden and Belgravia underway and further openings planned in prime central London and internationally.
