BARS - London's Coolest Champagne Bar

St. Pancreas International Train Station

Carry Bradshaw and friends; here's the ultimate girly drinking bar! Have a glass of Champagne, some oysters and caviar, then head off on the Eurostar to Paris to shop! Only prob! You're in NY and this is London! From its start in 1868 as a Victorian train storage shed to its current £800 million architectural restoration and face lift this is my favourite international train station. Champagne and trains the perfect pairing? On a chilly December afternoon we dropped by for a glass of bubble and some oysters. The bar, the longest in Europe (90 to 95 metres) was hopping with activity; single chatty girls, a corporate party, and the smart international train set waiting for departure. There is a choice of 16 Champagnes by the flute and a hand full of rare vintage bottles (Perrier Jouët Belle Epoque Rosé 1988, Dom Pérignon enothèque 1993 and 1985, as well as smashing Krug 1976 ) . The intoxicating smell of a chilly English winter wind, diesel fuel, electrical current, and the honeyed nutty notes of a bottle of Krug were heavenly. Relax in the modern version of the vintage Pullman with deep, heated leather seats and surrounding rich wood fittings. Go early for the Krug Breakfast for Two: Scrambled eggs, black truffle & chives on toasted sour dough bread, tea or coffee, and glass of fresh blood orange juice along with a ½ Bottle Krug Grand Cuvee for £97.50. They also have by the bottle a couple of decent UK sparklers. As a wine professional it would have been lovely to have seen the addition of a smattering of non Champagne bubbles; Spanish and new world fizz; but there is no denying the charm and complexity of France's "chalk and chill" hallmark on the classic bubble. For the foodie St. Pancras will soon have a farmer's market mid 2009 so you can shop for farm fresh groceries on your way home after a glass of Champers. http://www.stpancras.com/drink/champagne-bar/

On January 20th 2009 St. Pancras Champagne Bar was voted best Champagne Bar in London at the Drinking Out Excellence Awards 2009 http://www.drinkingoutexcellence.co.uk/page/home.html