Cocktails, hot dogs and ghosts.
What is it?
A cocktail and real ale bar.
Where is it?
Something of a hidden gem, Old Mary's can be found in the cellar of the Mitre Townhouse pub, amidst the smart terraced houses and mews of Lancaster Gate. While the entrance is discreet, there is a sign outside and you can actually just walk right on in, rather than knocking three times and asking the doorman for the Count of Montecristo. How refreshing.
Design:
The space allegedly used to be the servant’s quarter of a townhouse owned by a Victorian philanthropist called Lord Craven. Legend has it that the ghost of his kitchen maid lover Mary still roams down here, having met a grisly end at the hands of Craven's jealous wife. It's suitably atmospheric and olde worlde to fit with the story. There are several small, interconnected rooms with brick arches, dark corners and flickering roman candles; giving it the feel of a cosy dungeon, if such an oxymoron can be used. 
Booze:
While there is an extensive range of craft beers on offer here; we came for the cocktail, which included a thirst-quenching rum punch, followed by a zingy breakfast martini with gin, Cointreau, lemon juice and bitter orange marmalade. An off-menu whisky sour was delicious as was the barman's new 'experimental' sour we were encouraged to try, with cardamon, saffron and cinnamon. It's also table service only which means no elbowing anyone to the bar.
Food:
The only food served here is hot dogs but you can sample some meaty appetisers here and then get a proper dinner upstairs in the grill dining room afterwards if you wish. Try the 'Lord Craven': a frankfurter, topped with slow-cooked pulled bbq pork and mustard mayonnaise, or the 'London Dog': frankfurter, ham hock, fresh herbs, beer mustard and apple & sage jelly. The pastrami dog looked...how shall we put this...vulvic? Yonic?! Either way, it didn't put us off.
How much?
The hot dogs are £6.95 each, which seems expensive for a hot dog and they're not massive either. But as bar snacks go, they hit the spot and split between a few of us, they didn't break the bank. Cocktails are priced between £7-8.50 each and craft beers were around £4.50-£5.50.
Extras:
There's an intimate scullery space you can hire for private parties of up to 15 people, with a copper topped long table and a mock stove in the corner.
Opening times and booking:
Weds & Thurs: 5pm - 11:30pm,Fri & Sat: 5pm - midnight. Tables can be booked in advance through the website booking form or by calling 020 7262 5240.
oldmarys.co.uk
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