Whilst traversing the globe, fictional adventurer, Phileas Fogg received the sombre news that his much beloved aunt and celebrated actress, Gertrude Fogg, had passed away and made Phileas the sole beneficiary of her estate, including her enchanting pied-à-terre on St Martin’s Lane. Duty bound, he honoured his aunt’s dying wish, Mr Fogg permitted her devoted life-long housekeeper, Fanny McGee, to create a ‘tavern’ for her friends and theatrical acquaintances downstairs, whilst keeping the upstairs salon as a much needed refuge for himself and friends.
Mr Fogg’s Tavern, the sister venue to our award-winning Mayfair bar, Mr Fogg’s Residence, has an ‘upstairs downstairs’ theatrical theme with a Victorian tavern on the ground floor and a refined gin parlour and salon upstairs.
The downstairs Tavern features a warm wooden interior with nineteenth century artifacts adorning the walls and hanging from the ceiling, a focal point being a large aviary filled with plants, stuffed birds and other oddities. Staff in traditional overalls serve up real ales, batch brews, ‘mother’s ruin’ gin cocktails and grog in traditional tankards and pewter cups. Weary travellers are able to tuck into honest fare served throughout the day and evening including, ‘The Finest Pie in London Town’ served with traditional liquor, alongside roast game, fowl and beast.
With a separate entrance for ladies and gentleman to enter discreetly, the upstairs Gin Parlour and Salon is just as the lauded actress left it, with a large cabinet displaying her antique theatrical props, wigs and old scripts. The Gin Parlour features one of the largest selections of gins and tonics in London, served with your choice of botanicals in a large balloon glass. The Salon features Aunt Gertrude’s ornate glass chandeliers, damask curtains and bijoux objects with some recent additions by Mr Fogg, himself.