“Anything one man can imagine, other men can make real.” Jules Verne, Around the World in Eighty Days
Step inside the wonderful world of renowned explorer, Phileas J. Fogg, Esq. Marvel at the magnificent treasures within and indulge in an array of curious cocktails from around the world. Well actually, if we’re being completely honest with you, this establishment is merely riding on the coattails of the intrepid explorer, Mr Phileas Fogg. As you see, Mr Fogg’s Pawnbrokers is the brainchild of his wayward half-brother, Mr Frank Fogg, to be precise.
The Newest Curious Cocktail Bar in Soho
Wishing to cash in on his brother’s fame and fortune, Frank Fogg has taken claim to a mysterious Victorian Pawn Shop in the heart of London’s Soho area. Luckily for us, it also happens to double up as a curious cocktail bar. Exhibiting an extraordinary collection of eccentric cocktails, cabinets of curiosities and peculiar possessions – old and new, Mr Fogg’s Pawnbrokers transports you back to the Victorian era serving everything from exquisitely crafted award-winning cocktails, to a huge selection of rare spirits influenced by Fogg’s global adventures.
Mr Fogg’s Pawnbrokers, taking its name from Frank’s previous trade as a pawnbroker, takes you back to a bygone era. Inside The Pawnbrokers you’ll find three unique spaces: The Pawnbrokers Counter, The Strong Room & The Textiles Room. The Pawnbroker’s Counter is a hidden ‘vaulted’ space for the higher-value goods, the Strong Room surrounds patrons with priceless 19th-century hanging jewels, silver and gold plates, trinkets and antique busts. The Textiles Room, a bar decorated with vintage carpets and rugs, features floor-to-ceiling tapestries and an elaborately draped ceiling with sought-after materials sourced from Fogg’s travels across the globe.
Global Themed Cocktails and Mocktails
But what about those cocktails I hear you hark? Inspired by the rich history of Victorian London, the cocktail menu, as with the venue’s music, has been categorised into global locations with the purpose of taking you around the globe one cocktail at a time. Notable cocktail highlights include Europe’s ‘Tea leaf’d’, America’s ‘Aztec in the Attic’, Asia’s ‘Sanuk Through Customs’ and Africa’s ‘A Bazaar Curio’.
As you’d expect from such an eclectic offering, each cocktail is served in its own unique way with some coming in old antique vases, to fancy Fabergé eggs to punch bowls. For those seeking nonalcoholic options, or the usual classics such as an Aperol Spritz, Negroni or Old Fashioned, then these are available too. As are some nibbles if you get a little peckish from immersing yourself in the world of Phileas and Frank Fogg.
For those looking for further adventure then we recommend indulging in the Mr Fogg’s Treasure Hunt, returning 20th January and which takes place every Saturday at 2:01pm & 3:01pm. Here you can Follow in the footsteps of Phileas J. Fogg and embark on a thrilling treasure hunt-style cocktail adventure. Under timed conditions and guided by Mr Fogg himself, you can crack cryptic conundrums and unravel the mysteries that lie in wait along the Mr Fogg’s Treasure Hunt of discovery, with a mystery prize for the winners. Priced at £65 per person this two-hour experience includes two cocktails and an 80-minute outdoor treasure hunt around London’s Soho area.
Edward Lumley is Editor-in-Chief for Of Wealth & Life and a Freelance Men’s Fashion Writer. Edward has written for publications such as FashionBeans, Harrods and a variety of online outlets specialising in Men’s fashion for the past eight years. Follow Edward on Instagram.
