THE LIBERTINE

Hidden deep in the historical vaults beneath The Royal Exchange, The Libertine is one of the city's best kept secrets. With an unassuming entrance, head down the stairs to discover the large destination bar, dining spaces, and two private dining rooms including a whiskey vault for paired whiskey experiences.

A truly stunning space, with a capacity of 450, the striking arches once housed the varying spices, silks and gold that enriched London in years gone by.

Steeped in history, The Royal Exchange was opened by Queen Elizabeth 1st in 1571, who awarded it the ‘Royal’ title and granted it a licence to sell alcohol and expensive goods. As the first venue to serve alcohol in London with a Royal Licence, The Libertine is a place of celebration and generous hospitality, paying homage to its rich, fruitful past.

Alongside the large bar, under another set of arches, is the main restaurant. Atmospheric with a chequered floor, exposed brick and plush velvet curtains, the venue is the ideal setting for catchups with friends, colleagues and romantic date nights.

Serving food from lunch until late, start the meal with a range of snacks for the table while you peruse the menu. The maple honey drizzled aubergine crisps are wonderfully moreish, as are the nocellara olives or market oysters with a glass of champagne.

Starters include black truffle and wild mushroom arancini with a basil pesto, plant grana padano; crispy king prawns with five spice seasoning, lime, ginger and chilli mayonnaise; and scallop St Jacques with seaweed and garlic butter.

Moving on to mains and seafood, the lobster roll with butter poached Cornish lobster, crayfish, horseradish marie rose and caviar, served in a toasted brioche milk bun, with skin on fries is a winner regardless of whether you dine for lunch or dinner.

Other seafood dishes include a lobster gratin with gruyere mornay, herb crumb, triple cooked chips and lemon; and a Libertine fish pie with salmon, prawn, scallop and smoked haddock in a white wine sauce.

Mains also feature a selection of dishes from Launceston lamb rump; blackened cajun chicken; and vegetarian options such as the plant burger or miso aubergine.

Showcasing The Libertine's range, there is also a list of grande cuts include chateaubriand, côte de boeuf and porterhouse steaks available from 500g upwards and sourced ethically from native breeds that eat and live naturally. In contrast, the steak tasting board, suitable for four people, presents an array of 1.2 kilogram dry aged prime cuts, including fillet and rib eye.

Add some sides like the delectable red leicester mac, or triple cooked chips and buttered greens.

Dessert, if you have space, includes a decadent eton mess and salted toffee sauce sticky toffee pudding. Both irresistible, even if you don't have space.

Those looking for a savoury finish can choose the artisan cheese board offering a selection of four artisanal cheeses, served with crackers, grapes, chutney and celery.

With such a striking location, it comes as no surprise that the drinks menu has been created in partnership with some of the city's finest distilleries, breweries and wine merchants.

Offering quality wines from respected world vineyards and a reserve list displaying finer vintages for special occasions, The Libertine also has a fantastic cocktail menu with both classics and mocktails.

Must-tries include the smoky thyme old fashioned; pink peppercorn negroni, and non-alcoholic, highly refreshing ginger mojito.

With free spirited hedonism at its centre, fantastic food, service and unique spaces for every occasion - since opening in October last year, The Libertine has fast become the destination in the city for parties, drinking and dining alike, from morning through to late night.