N ow the dust has settled around the base of the Shard and London Bridge station, many of the reclaimed old railway arches have been converted for new businesses. Finally the number of hardhats and high vis vests is lessening, replaced by shoppers and revellers. If you haven’t heard yet, near the top of Bermondsey Street, at the junction with St Thomas Street, a derelict wasteland has been converted into London’s largest outdoor eating and drinking venue by Benj Scrimgeour: the man behind Flat Iron Square, another nearby social destination set in seven railway arches. Pop up shops in steel containers and food traders have moved in to Vinegar Yard. Vintage Versace, Fendi and Moschino clothes are on sale beside vinyl records. There is coffee fit for connoisseurs, Indian-inspired burgers, Argentinian flame-grilled steaks, wine bars and cold draught beers, making this a perfect addition to the Bermondsey Street vibe. It’s no wonder local residents love the place - almost as much as visitors from all over London coming to hang out there. The Yard opens early for breakfast and the outdoor seating closes at 9pm every day, while indoor areas shut an hour later. The easy daytime buzz becomes quite a fizz after 5pm so this summer I’d recommend getting there early if you want a good table in the sunshine. So you think you can mix a drink? How about starting a Saturday evening with a lesson in cocktail making at a stylish bar-restaurant on Southwark Bridge Road (and yes, you do get to drink the cocktails after you make them)? On the last Saturday of every month at Great Guns Social, between Southwark and Borough tube stations, there’s a masterclass in mixing and shaking your favourite tipple, or pick one of Great Guns own creations: HOUSE MAI TAI Blend of light & dark rums, Dry Curacao HUGO Beefeater, elderflower, mint, prosecco, soda lime KEEP THE FAITH Tapatio Tequilla, grapefruit, soda, lime, agave BANANA’S IN PYJAMAS Carta Fuego, Frangelico, maple syrup, lime topped with banana & hazlenut foam GINGERBREAD COLADA Henessy, Monymusk coconut rum, pineapple juice, gingerbread syrup, coconut cream CANDY CRUSH Gold rum, peach liqueur, elderflower & pomegranete, lime LONDON SOUR House infused cardomom Beefeater, lemon juice, egg white, sugar syrup topped with red wine LYCHEE YOU BABY Waqar Pisco, Lychee liquor, lemon, soda HOT G&TEA: Half Hitch Gin, hot tonic. Teapot for 2! As Saturday afternoon’s slide into Saturday evenings, is there anything better than a cocktail? Yes! Two... A MASTERCLASS IN COCKTAILS Market stalls, vintage clothes and craft beer bars pop up beside the Shard by owen rice VINEGAR YARD 72-82 St Thomas Street SE1 3QU e: info@vinegaryard.london w: vinegaryard.london GREAT GUNS SOCIAL 96 Southwark Bridge Road SE1 0EF t: 020 3858 0064 e: info@greatgunssocial.com w: greatgunssocial.com Instagram: @greatgunssocial THE RIVER MAGAZINE | Summer 2017 11