Every evening after 6pm until October 30th, Mr & Mrs Twit are inviting the public into their glorious and gruesome pop up bar at The Vaults in Waterloo.
Launched last week, The Upside Cocktail Cavern gives the public a taste of the truly terrible, Roald Dahl style! With a reception hosted by the wonderful Sam Bompas and Emma Brunjes, our tastebuds started tingling before we’d even sat down. On entry, we were given Prosecco, or, “Big Dead Tree & Sticky Glue Bellini” with cherry and peach fruit glue and a stirring stick, which was convincingly stick-like to look at, but was really a liquorice root. Sitting in a bar, decked out with all manner of different chairs and tables, we really felt part of the set.
We were then treated to a introduction from Sam and Emma into the event itself, and given a whiff “something special if you dare” from Sam Bompas, which smelt like nothing to some, and vomit to others. You soon learn that not all foodie surprises are good surprises when you visit the Twits…
After a descent into the basement, we got a behind-the-scenes peek into the Ghastly Garden with it’s very gruesome guests. A short introduction from Mr & Mrs Twit was enough to get us feeling welcome (and also very unwelcome in true Twits style). We were encouraged to adventure around the garden, with nasty nibbles hidden in every nook and cranny. Grimacing clowns and waiters also floated around, offering us weird and wonderful treats such as the Sting & Tonic, a nettle cordial and tonic, garnished with thistle.
Appetisers included Burnt Bangers, “left in the oven by Mrs Twit for slightly too long” and Sky Rodent Goujons, which may or may not feature freshly shot pigeon with dipping paste. Our favourites were the Moulding Delights blue veined cheese, Aural Scratchings pigs ears and No Squawkings roasted nuts (not a sentence I ever expected to write!)
Finally, into the Cocktail Cavern itself, where the creators have made a drinking hole so wonderfully Twits-ian that Roald Dahl himself would be proud. The upside down bar filled with raggedy rugs and spindly chairs will play all types of games with your senses.
The bar has a great range of disgusting drinks and corking cocktails, and as we were waned, everything on the menu is actually in the drink. Delicacies include Mr Twit’s Beard Old Fashioned made of “all of Mr Twit’s favourite food – pulled straight from his beard”. And, stilton, cornflakes and sardines did indeed swim around the glass we ordered. Thankfully, a spoon was provided so that we could fish out any little extra bites we might have (accidentally, on purpose) missed. Being Bompas & Parr and their magical minds, it was strangely tasty though… And, luckily, less terrifying cocktails such as The Upside-Down Muggle Circus are there to soothe the drinker if any surprise is one too far.
All in all, Dinner at the Twits is a fantastically mad evening. Not to be missed by any Roald Dahl, Bompas & Parr, Creature of London, or Les Enfants Terribles theatre fan. It’s a great reminder for all to be a smidgeon more playful and mischievous in all that we do.
An evening filled with surprise, and a great treat for after work drinks for the public. Mr and Mrs Twit’s Upside Down Cocktail Cavern will be open to the general public from 6pm every day until October 30th.
Tickets for the Dinner at the Twits event start at £76.50 and can be purchased from www.twitsdinner.com or on 0844 248 1215
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