‘Manhattan meets Mayfair’ is how Avenue’s owners describe its 2014 makeover, which sees blonde woods, taupe and teal leather warming up a previously stark space. The glamorous long bar and lounge suggests Upper East Side – a grown-up port of call offering craft beers, wines from a Coravin preservation system and cocktails created by iconic bartenders, past and present. Dip into New York’s archive for Bronx twist (a Tequila martini drunk by Broadway babes at the Waldorf Astoria) or Old Cuban – a noughties Champagne mojito from Pegu Club’s Audrey Saunders. Elsewhere, sidecar, Dottore (an apricot take on Salvatore Calabrese’s modern breakfast martini) and various creations such as white lady by legend Harry Craddock (late of The Savoy) are fine British heritage calls. To eat, nibble on devilled eggs, sliders, BBQ pork and corn muffins, pretzels with hot sauce or watermelon rind with pickle.