MAGIC POTION - NEW KINGS CROSS BAR OPENS
The newest hostelry in Kings Cross, Hokus Pokus, is inspired by a Victorian ‘quack’ doctor. Izzy Ralfe went to try their remedies…
Unique, classy and inspired: welcome to Hokus Pokus, the newest addition to the dynamic hub of King’s Cross, inspired by Victorian quack doctor James Morrison, who claimed to have found a universal vegetable cure for all ailments based on botanical compounds. At Hokus Pokus, you can expect your botanical cures the right way – distilled and served on the rocks. Although no health benefits are promised, the fabulous bar team are confident that their ‘tinctures and mixtures’ will do great things to your mood. The bartenders themselves describe the place as “Experimental, honest and electric”, and talk of personalised cocktail masterclasses arriving shortly.
The underground Alchemy Lab, brought to life by British artist and designer Henry Chebaane, is anchored by the culture and history of King’s Cross, and exudes a unique blend of Victorian English heritage and apothecary, with retro-futuristic steampunk engine room. From steam valves and copper pipes to electric dynamic flashes of petrol blue and deep purple, Hokus Pokus provides its guests with a sensory experience beyond that of great tasting signature cocktails.
The attention to detail rippling from ceiling to floor through the bars interior design is matched by the attention to detail given to the signature cocktail list. Each drink prides itself on its complementary attributes, with every aspect from the flavour to the smell to the presentation carefully thought through and put together by the talented bar team. With sustainability and adaptability at the core of many of the bar’s concoctions, the futuristic theme and forward-thinking nature of Hokus Pokus is further complemented by the bar’s ethos and efforts to accommodate all clientele. Knowledgeable and attentive staff confidently discuss and explain the choice of ingredients, such as Aquafaba over egg whites, allowing for vegan-friendly drinks to be enjoyed by all.
Lose yourself within the culture of art and science at this speakeasy-style bar, where the only vegetable cure in sight is the porcini mushroom-infused Shroom Boom cocktail, and botanicals can only be found among a great range of gins. Says bartender Tomas Vykopal, “Naturally I am biased, but I definitely recommend our signature cocktails. My two favourites are the Feather Mutant – a twist on an Old Fashioned, based on bourbon, washed with duck fat. My second is the Fly High, using a milk-clarified punch with cognac, rum, roasted pineapple juice and chestnut liqueur. Of course, any classic cocktail which we make, is always with precision, love – and style.”