Chess has been part of Simpson’s in the Strand almost from the beginning. The Grand Cigar Divan, which opened on the strand in 1828, soon became one of the London’s great meeting places for chess players, where games unfolded over coffee, cigars and unhurried conversation.
A Cocktail Menu Inspired by Simpson’s History
Today, that legacy continues at Simpson’s Bar, where three signature cocktails take their names from the language and moves of chess. Do read on to discover a menu inspired by the game’s strategy, history, and enduring influence on Simpson’s.
Book Move
The Book Move is the opening of a chess match, where the course of the game is often quietly determined. Much like its namesake, it is a cocktail of balance and quiet confidence. Bright, bittersweet and refreshingly crisp, it is elegant from first sip to last.
Gambit
A gambit is the art of willingly surrendering a pawn early in the game, trusting that the sacrifice will prove worthwhile in the end. The cocktail follows the same philosophy: dry, savoury with a touch of fruitiness and gently bittersweet, with a layered character that reveals itself gradually.
Checkmate
The final move in every game of chess is, one hopes, Checkmate; the reward for patience, precision and careful strategy. As the last of Simpson’s chess-inspired cocktails, it makes for a fitting finale: rich, refined and spirit-forward, the cocktail brings warming spice, subtle herbal notes and a finish that lingers gracefully.
Martini at Simpson’s Bar
At Simpson’s Bar, Martinis are crystal-cold, impeccably dry and served in perfectly chilled glasses; a place where time slows and elegance endures. Timeless, precise and unmistakably Simpson’s, they are as much an experience as they are a drink.
A Drink on The Strand
From the chess matches that once unfolded within its walls to the Martinis being poured at the bar today, Simpson’s has always been a place where stories gather. At Simpson’s bar, its cocktail menu continues that tradition, drawing on the past without being bound by it.
Whether you are joining us before a night in the West End, or simply stopping by for a sip of something cold before dining with us, we can’t wait to welcome you.
