Potion

Potion is now under new management, we encourage you to pop in for a cocktail! We now have 2 managers with 5 star experience, who will put the previous comments to shame!

Function Rooms Available for Hire:

The Mezzanine Lounge
The lounge is ideal for smaller groups wanting an area semi detached from the main area but still being able to participate in the vibe of the main bar.
Located on the mezzanine level it is equipped with both tables and ottomans, and its own TV and bathroom facilities. All of our lounge bookings are provided with your very own cocktail waitress to ensure you that you receive a high level of service.

Room Hire Charge: £25
Licensed Till: 1am
Capacity: 20 – 45pax
Minimum Spend: £0 anytime of the week

The Basement Bar
Licensed for 120 people our basement area is the perfect space for 80 people or more. The basement bar is synonymous as a cocktail party room providing an ambient atmosphere with your own staff helping create the perfect party vibe for your event.
This area includes a separate bar, cloakroom, dance floor, flat screen televisions and an independent sound system. - You can also connect your iPod or laptop. There is also an adjoining area with low cave style ceilings which is perfect for those guests who would like to hold a conversation away from the dance floor...
As the basement bar is located on the first floor of the whole venue it gives the organizer a totally private space for only you and your guests. For parties of 80 or more you are provided with 2 bar attendants and a cocktail waitress to assist with food service.

Room Hire Charge: £50
Capacity: 80 – 120 pax
Licensed Till: 1am
Minimum Spend:

SUN – WED £500
THURS £600
FRI £800
SAT £800

(The minimum spend includes both beverage and food)

Oh dear.

While this venue has a pretty cool downstairs area, complete with flashy lights, cavernous seating caved out into what I assume used to be a wine cellar, and a labyrinth of mirrors and niches that is where the fun stops. Because really you cant have fun in a bar if you cant get served. It took 40 minutes to get a beer.

Really.

I don't really think the staff are trained, the painful way they measured out a shot on the counter, then added it to a glass, then remembered ice, meddled with the postmix then finally produced a rum and coke for a friend was possibly the weirdest display I have ever seen.

Add to that a brash swearing manager who was giving his staff shots behind the bar while we waited, well if it wasn't already hired for a friend b'day bash I would have been out of there quick smart.

I'm pretty lenient with bars as I was a bartender, I know how tough it can get. However, when your site says you offer Absinthe, you better have Absinthe. When there are 10 people in the room and it takes you 10 mintues to actually ackowledge me, someone better have died in the back. And when I ask for a simple martini (one that is featured on the papers sitiing on your bar), don't tell me you don't know how to make it. What a crap experience.

We popped in on a quiet Tuesday night, with less than 10 customers in the whole place. It still took 10 minutes for the bar staff to deign to ask us what we wanted - and when we pointed to one of the special cocktails on offer, he had to phone someone to ask how to make it. At which point we left.

Right next to UCL halls so frequented by students during term times and gets quite busy during the evenings. Good for a quiet drink at lunchtime. Food doesn't seem to be served till 8, but drinks selection is OK and reasonably priced.