Searcy’s Champagne Bar, and Bryon Burgers – both in 1 New Change, London, EC4M 9AF

1 New Change is a great shopping centre with amazing views to St Paul’s, but not the first place you would think of to go out for an evening. However it is between my friends and my work so thought it would make sense. My friend has suggested Madisons, a cocktail and tapas bar but I looked at the reviews and the prices and thought that Searcy’s gave a lot better value for money. They have a bubble hour, which is actually 3 hours (6pm-9pm) of cut price cocktails and champagne. At £6.50 a glass of champagne or cocktail it seemed very reasonable. I first had a cocktail whilst waiting for friends, and chose the number 1 a passion fruit mix with champagne.  The passion fruit did sing out and the occasional crunch of the seeds was pleasant, however it was a little light on the champagne for me, and therefore was gone within a few minutes. Once the others arrived went for the champagne deal at £38 a bottle. The atmosphere is slightly strange as it basically a shop unit and although the design inside is in keeping with a cocktail bar, the fact you can still see the inside of the mall detracts from an exclusive, sophisticated feel. There was a bit of a scramble for seats, with many being reserved and the huge bar in the middle seemed to swamp the space with little room for chairs. We sat at the bar until a table was free. Bar stools are not great for girls that are vertically challenged with large bags. I think they got the music just about right, slightly louder than I find ideal but I think that it was needed to separate it from the mall.

Talk Rating: 3.5/5

 Bryon Cheese Burger

After the champagne happy hour was over and they were chucking everyone out, we weren’t sure if they were closing or if it was for a private party we went across the road to Bryon burgers. All the restaurants were really busy which surprised ina a shopping mall at 9.00, we were lucky to get a table at Bryon. I have wanted to try it for a while, but have been trying to be healthy. I went for a plain cheese burger, fries and onion rings to share. The burger was perfectly cooked for me, as requested medium rare. It was juicy without being super sloppy and impossible to eat. Chips and onion rings were crunchy and far too tasty. Atmosphere was buzzy, but not unpleasantly packed and service was friendly but efficient. All in all great for a quick, but tasty bite to eat.

Talk Rating: 4.5/5