We all love a good secret...

Today is one of our fellow expats birthdays…Happy Birthday Mike :)  To celebrate the big 2-8, his wife, Kelly, booked us a table at the oh-so-secretive speakeasy, Barts!  

Apparently there are quite a few of these types of bars all around London, so G & I were very excited to finally try one out.  It was so great...they definitely do a fantastic job taking you back to the Prohibition Era of the 20's...first off, there is NO sign to let you know you've reached the bar.  In fact, you actually have to walk through a large apartment building until you come to a black door with a lantern and an inconspicuous sign.  We were not fully aware of this (minor) apartment building detail, so on our way there, in the pouring rain mind you, we thought we had reached THE black door (I mean, how many black doors do you think there are on one block??!!), proceeded to ring the bell, only to find out this young gentleman was not expecting us...oops!  Anyways, I don't think this was his first visit from Barts strangers, as he knew exactly where to send us.  So, once inside THE black door, you are then welcomed by yes, another door.  You ring the doorbell, and the door slot opens to reveal curious, questioning eyes.  After providing them with your password for the night, you are then welcomed to enter - seriously, so much fun, and we weren't even inside yet!  

The decor is a nice break from the pub or club scene here in London...the walls are covered in very quirky, antique decorations.  The staff even dress the part, wearing adorable suspenders, and the music is AMAZING, playing a mix of "Prohibition Era" music...aka, the perfect sing-along 80's jams :)  And let's not forget about the fashionably challenged "fancy dress box", where you can find anything from a cowboy hat to a penguin suit.  Let's be honest, I was expecting some cute flapper dresses & top hats, but I now understand the need for the penguin suit...it provides an endless amount of entertainment (yes, you guessed it, that penguin suit spent most of its night at our table)! 

Love these girls!

G performing his cute little penguin dance...

Now, onto the drinks...what better way to serve cocktails, than in a vintage teapot??!!  Seriously, you order these fancy mixed drinks (with names like "Purple Prohibition", "The Chelsea Rose" & "Al Capone's Little Friend") that arrive in a teapot, and you drink from adorable, yet simple, teacups.  Now, this is my kind of "tea party"!  The girls (and Grant) had so much fun sipping from our alcoholic-filled teacups :)

Not sure why that concoction looks so "yellow", but it was delish!

All in all, it was an epic evening...Cheers to birthdays & good friends!