The launch of the Montague-on-the-Garden’s pop-up Beach Bar took place earlier this week in sheer defiance of any thunderstorm warnings. Instead, a fine and warm evening heralded this novel way to enjoy summer in the city and guests were duly greeted with sunglasses, a lei and tropical cocktails presented in pineapples and coconuts.
The Montague have a well deserved reputation for throwing great parties and over two tonnes of sand, along with surf boards, fishing nets, a wooden boat, an outdoor shower and coconut trees have gone into transforming the space we last visited in the winter when it was a fairy-lit alpine Ski Lodge. The only thing missing was Jaws.
The Beach Bar concept, new for 2016, is proving just as popular with both individual hourly beach passes; £35 including two cocktails and three savoury snacks followed by an ice cream cone, or group menus available for 40-150 people, offering a selection of BBQ finger food which launch party-goers were given the chance to sample; crab cocktails, prawn crevettes, Bratvurst hotdogs, chicken burgers with pineapple and Reggae Reggae lamb kebabs to name but a few.
As if that wasn’t enough excitement for one evening, the Montague will be offering all visitors of The Beach Bar the chance to win a holiday. Alas, the destination is Guernsey not the Bahamas, but hey! Simply pose for a ‘Selfie on the Jetski’ and share on Twitter and you could find yourself jet-setting off for a two night break at the Red Carnation’s sister property The Duke of Richmond Hotel.
With ice cream cones in hand and cocktail umbrellas tucked behind our ears, all guests fully embraced this kitsch marvel, and in true Bahamas-meets-Bloomsbury style danced the night away to the live steel drums. Were we really in Central London? I only wish I’d worn my grass skirt! We were the last to leave, so I don’t think a one hour pass would really be long enough for me. Perhaps they need a life-guard? A word of warning: The Beach Bar is not recommended for anyone who takes themselves too seriously.
The Beach Bar at Montague-on-the-Gardens until Sunday 24th July 2016, 15 Montague St, London WC1B 5BJ. For more information on how to book visit the website.
