I think it’s safe to say that everyone loves afternoon tea. But finding a good quirky one can be a bit of a challenge.

But, thanks to Cahoots, you need look no further.

Cahoots is a themed bar located underground Kingly Court, which aims to preserve the ‘Blitz spirit’ of the 1940’s with everything from the furniture to the uniforms in perfect costume.

In addition to serving deliciously potent cocktails and providing brilliant live swinging entertainment, it seems that Cahoots can now add epic afternoon teas to its repertoire.

The ‘Squiffy Picnic’ takes place every Sunday between 3-6pm and, in keeping with the venue’s theme, is very traditional British, with lots of classic childhood favourites that seem to have been forgotten about in our never-ending quest for poncey macarons, ganache’s and crème pâtissières, making a fond reappearance. Sometimes, you just can’t beat going back to basics.

Another quality which differentiates Cahoots’ afternoon tea from the norm is that you are given a choice of alcohols to enjoy with your picnic, with varying price tags, so that even the blokeist of men can relax and enjoy their finger sandwiches with a beer in hand.

A (rather tasty) ‘Starting Swig’ is provided in a tea cup (naturally) whilst you mull over your options.

Obviously Zoe & I opted for the sparkling wine. What girl can say no to bubbles? Plus, we were celebrating her upcoming birthday with celebrations to follow that same evening, so bubbles were definitely in order.

Brown paper sandwich bags held shut with miniature clothes pegs were placed before us.

Delving into the contents, we resurfaced with a jam; smoked salmon; and cucumber sandwich, plus a beef & horseradish roll.

I do like a good sandwich and I have to say that Cahoots’ offering let them down slightly. However, our afternoon tea took place during the soft launch with feedback welcomed (mine being, switch the soggy jam sandwich for scones (entirely quintessentially British…and DELICIOUS), skip the cucumber sandwich (personally not a fan), add another savoury option to the mix, and replace the butter with cream cheese in the smoked salmon offering), so there’s still plenty of time to take comments on board and iron out any crinkles.

The hamper was much more successful.

I must admit that there is something quite thrilling about digging your way around a wicker basket filled with goodies.

Particular highlights being the pork pie (YUM), Tunnock’s teacakes (if, like me, you haven’t eaten one of these babies in years, get to it ASAP. Life changing.), and a cute biscuit tin filled with all-butter shortbread.

Not quite as loved was what I mistook to be a sweetie bag filled with grapes and cherry tomatoes (no health at my afternoon tea please), a lone sausage (gimme a bread roll and some ketchup, however, and this little fella would sky rocket into the ‘highlights’ category), and some slices of average Victoria sponge cake (which I hope they ditch with the jam sandwich and combine to upgrade into scones).

With the majority of the hamper’s contents sliding their way down into our bellies and the fizz having somehow disappeared, we moved on to our sloe gin.

And cheers’ed to the birthday celebrations ahead.

Once everything had been well & truly polished off, Cahoots served us yet another hamper containing a simple cheese plate and their very cool drinks menu (it’s the newspaper, if you hadn’t guessed), just in case you hadn’t had enough alcohol already.

Unfortunately, I forgot to take any pictures of the staff or the band, but they were both so amazing in terms of service, talent and costume.

I honestly can’t fault the décor or vibe of Cahoots, or their unique afternoon tea idea, in the slightest. Having said that, the final product does need a few tweaks to justify the prices and match the standards of everything else around you.

I hope that Cahoots take the constructive criticism of their early guests on board, as then they really will be serving one of the coolest afternoon teas in London.

I look forward to returning.

6/10

I was invited to review by KK Communications, but all opinions are my own.