- The new luxury cocktail bar will open its doors this November, serving sustainable, British cocktails in collaboration with Idyll Drinks.
SEPTEMBER 2024: A new creative cocktail haven, ‘Muse’ at RSA House will open its doors in November 2024. Tucked away within the 250-year-old historic Georgian townhouse located directly behind the vibrant landmark Strand, the bar will spotlight British ingredients, sustainable agriculture, local provenance and rewilding projects with a unique collection of wild distillates, while drawing inspiration from the RSA’s regenerative Design for Life Mission.
The RSA has helped shape society since the Enlightenment and has been at the forefront of significant social impact since it was founded in 1754. The RSA has found its place at the heart of historic social change, which they continue to work on to this day alongside their venture into the world of innovative mixology.
‘Muse’ at RSA House will welcome guests from the surrounding West End to a completely unique experience. Located on the ground floor, with a dedicated entrance for access, once inside guests can experience an extravagant yet relaxed space with artwork adorning the walls and a luxurious granite bar, providing a private members club feel. The new bar will be in partnership with the renowned Company of Cooks and Idyll Drinks, with cocktails from celebrated mixologist Marcis Dzelzainis showcasing creative yet approachable serves with innovative ingredients.
In line with the RSA’s regenerative charitable mission, the dedicated team of bartenders led by Head Bartender Kevin Price Houghton, will focus on traceability and sustainability, breaking down the provenance of each drink, from cocktail ingredients to wines and spirits, alongside a selection of British ciders from the Fine Cider company. The menu will include eight house serves which will renew yearly, in addition to four alcoholic serves, exploring speciality ingredients, wild botanicals and smaller scale producers.
Cocktails on the core menu include:
- Crimson & Clover, a blend of Gin, Aker English Rose Vermouth, Capreolus Raspberry Eaux de Vie, Rhubarb and Lemon
- The Blackadder is with Vault Aperitivo Bitter, Hepple Sloe & Hawthorn Gin, Sour Cherry, Lemon and Almond with a couple of dashes of Devil’s Botany Absinthe
- East of Eden is a refreshing serve with Cucumber Distillate, Sipello, Apple Juice and Rhubarb Soda
- Cucumber & Tonic is a twist on the classic created with Cucumber Distillate
- Shipwreck Fix is a rum-forward cocktail, with Rosehip, Hawthorn and Verjus, whilst My Bloody Clementine is a whisky serve, with Chamomile, Ginger, Honey and Yuzu
- William Shipley, coincidently named after the founder of the RSA, is with Vodka, Lemon and Idyll Gooseberry & Rooibos Soda
- For those looking for the ultimate indulgent yet savoury treat, Truffle Martini is a spin on the Vodka classic, with Truffle Distillate
Guests can luxuriate in one of the four wild cocktails, created to present wild ingredients in the context of a classic:
- Myrica Gale Daiquiri uses both a light ‘rum’ and Oaxacan Rum, sourced in Mexico
- Wild Carrot Margarita is a vegetal take on the favourite
- Pineapple Weed Pisco Sour is a nod to the Peruvian classic, with Pisco, Pineapple Weed Liqueur, Lemon and Bitters
- Hogweed Old Fashioned is a delicious nightcap, with Rye Whiskey, Somerset Cider Brandy Pomona Liqueur and Hogweed Bitters
The RSA is currently celebrating its 270th anniversary, making change happen across society since the Enlightenment. They aim to turn world-leading ideas into world-changing actions, with a vision of a world where everyone can fulfil their potential and contribute to more resilient, rebalanced and regenerative futures. The RSA House in London, located off the Strand is a perfect blend of history and modernity which is versatile in style, décor and character. The Georgian venue opens itself to the Fellows, visitors and staff for external events, weddings, parties and meetings.
Muse at RSA House will open in November from Monday – Friday, 4pm – 11pm.
Bookings can be made at www.thersa.org/rsa-house
ENDS
Notes to editors
For any immediate media requests, please contact rsa@lx-pr.com
For any press relating to the RSA, please contact dom.mcgovern@rsa.org.uk
Location: 8 John Adam St, London WC2N 6EZ
Operating hours: Monday – Friday, 4pm – 11pm
Reservations: www.thersa.org/rsa-house
Instagram: @thersaorg
About RSA House
RSA House is located in the beating heart of London and has been home to the RSA since its construction in 1774. With its roots firmly in the Enlightenment, RSA House seamlessly combines original period architecture with modern design and technology to create a hub for innovation and collaboration in the spirit of the RSA's founding principles. Our well-loved coffeehouse is open Monday-Friday from 8.30am-5pm, and Muse at RSA House, our brand-new bar and cocktail oasis, is open Monday-Friday between 4 and 11pm. RSA House is a multi-award-winning venue. Whether you want to hire a conference space, attend a private screening, host a private party or secure an iconic location for your wedding, RSA House is ideally placed to meet your needs. We look forward to welcoming you soon.
About Marcis Dzelzainis
Marcis Dzelzainis is a renowned figure in the drinks industry, with over 20 years of experience working across a host of London’s best bars both bartending and consulting. Following starting his career in Leeds, he moved to London to work at the famed Quo Vadis in 2009, pioneering Japanese bartending techniques which earned the establishment a series of CLASS Bar and Tales of the Cocktails awards. His career has taken him across the city, where he went onto work at 69 Colebrook Row, Zetter Townhouse, Satan’s Whiskers, Dandelyan (now Lyaness), Corinthia and Christina’s. Following his time at Sager + Wilde in 2015, he worked with founder Michael Sager and Alex Wolpert, of East London Liquor Company at El Destilado, highlighting small-scale agave distillates and working with local partners to source distillates from remote parts of Oaxaca and Puebla regions of Mexico. Most recently, Marcis relaunched the menu at the One Aldwych, where he highlighted the breadth of small-scale producers in the UK, producing bespoke distillates for the hotel including the Horseradish Martini, which has gone on to be the hotel’s signature serve.
About Idyll Drinks
Idyll Drinks was created by Marcis Dzelzainis after his history of working in the drinks industry from product development to restaurants to sourcing agave distillates and running venues. As the drinks industry was dominated by large corporate brands focusing on volume and profit, Marcis wanted to create a brand which aligned with what he saw in the wine industry, an understanding of nature, agriculture and creating products which were of good quality, provenance and terroir, having been influenced by the ancient agricultural systems he saw whilst travelling in Mexico. Once the Pandemic hit in 2019, he sold his shares in the restaurant he owned and began researching small-scale farms which were producing fruit in the UK with sustainable guidelines. Following his love of how foraging for ingredients connects people to landscapes, Marcis created Idyll Drinks, a range of sodas created using wild ingredients and produce from small-scale farms. The current offering includes Pine Forest Soda, Wild Apple, Wild Rhubarb, Wild Gooseberry and Vault x Idyll Cherry Americano.
About Company of Cooks
Company of Cooks have been working with some of the UK's most cherished venues since 1996, delighting customers and clients alike with great food and drinks, brilliant service and an absolute focus on the details that make good restaurants, cafes and bars, great ones. They can be found in every detail of the restaurant, café, bar or gathering, from artisanal snacks to memorable menus, intuitive branding to fluid service and styling design layout.
RSA House
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