FROM THOSE IN THE KNOW TO US….BE AT ONE
Once upon a time there were two West End bartenders who had a dream of creating unpretentious cocktail bars. The dream became reality with BE AT ONE
In 1998 Rhys and Leigh bought a run down Indian restaurant, revamped the whole thing in seven weeks and opened their first bar in Battersea Rise. Since then they haven’t looked back, expanding their unique style of cocktail bars all over London and now gracing our shores in Brighton.
The ethos behind Be At One is ‘quality drinks, great service and substance comes before style’. With more than 160 drinks on the menu, it’s pretty mind boggling on which to chose but the bartenders here really know their stuff and can guide you to the correct choice to suit your tastes. In fact if you want to learn how to make a cocktail as well as these guys or at least give it a try, I would suggest getting a group of friends together and booking a cocktail making masterclass.
This is exactly what my friends and I did the other Friday night and it was brilliant fun. Six of us learning to put flavours together, flexing our muscles with some hard shaking and best of all tasting our master pieces!
We were met at the upstairs bar by our two mixologists. Both very easy on the eye, (I had already had a text message from one of my pals exclaiming how hot the bartender guy was!), and I think the guys in our group thought the girl was pretty cool too.
While we supped on a glass of Prosecco we were given a brief history of cocktails and then the frolics really began! We took it in turns two at a time to create the tipple of our choice from a menu of 14 cocktails. It’s easy to become quite competitive in this and it took no time at all for us to be sharing our drinks around to see who’s was the best.
The class was fast paced and we couldn’t help but want to impress our incredibly knowledgable and patient teachers, and hopefully show off to our friends. By the time the second round of cocktails (they aim for everyone to make two each in the 90 minute class) arrived, we were all pretty tipsy and eager to flash our new found skills. Be warned …. when trying out so many different drinks it’s easy to get drunk ….quickly!
In total, I must have tried a sip or two or three of ‘Mojito’ (always a classic), a vanilla and passion fruit tasting ‘Chica Caliente’, ‘Ramos Gin Fizz’, the creamy coffee flavoured ‘Bean’ and the ‘Cuban Pussy’.
If it came to awards though, I would have to say the elegant looking ‘Aviation’, made by my friend Farah was the winner of the night. It was just like sucking on Palma Violet sweets.
After our masterclass we headed down to the bar to try a few other cocktails made by the other bartenders and they didn’t disappoint. With lots of seating areas and a long bar area, where cocktails are made quickly, (none of that waiting around for ages), it’s super customer friendly.
This place is atmospheric! When a good tune comes on the staff leap up on to the bar. for a quick dance. It reminded me off a cross between the films Coyote Ugly and Cocktail. It’s cheeky, fun and makes for a night you won’t easily forget…..along with a stinking hangover the next day!
Check out the full menu, and instructions on how to make all the drinks at home, on the Be At One website.
Be At One, 5 Castle Square (bottom of North Street), Brighton, BN1 1EG
01273 777 200