Mrs Fogg’s Maritime Club and Distillery opens in The City

The Mrs Fogg Maritime Club and Distillery inspired by Aouda, the explorer Phileas Fogg’s Indian wife, in Jules Verne’s adventure novel, Around The World in 80 Days has opened at Broadgate Circle, London. The bar will serve up cocktails and dishes with a nod to the character’s heritage and her nautical travels. Complete with its own gin distillery and steamer ship, the bar will be the first project from Charlie Gilkes and Duncan Stirling’s Inception Group to open in The City. Spanning two floors, Mrs Fogg’s will feature the Rangoon Steamer, which the Aouda travelled back to England on and the Maritime Club will be complete with all of the sights and sounds of a faraway port. On the ground floor, a large central bar surrounded by foliage, large wooden fans and antique nautical items, will provide a focal point from where the bar team will serve up Indian-spiced cocktails. Downstairs, there is an engine room - a secret space filled with cargo, crates and stowaways. In the center is a custom-designed Rickshaw, courtesy of Monkey Shoulder, for cocktail-enthusiasts to create their own signature concoctions. Below the deck is Mrs Fogg’s fully working gin distillery, which will be modelled on the underground Victorian distilleries of the period. Customers will have the opportunity to produce the in-house gin, which can also be taken home as a souvenir as a part of the available masterclasses. The menu at Mrs Fogg’s is based on the character Aouda’s memories of home, with all the flavours and fragrances of the Asian continent. The cocktail menu will include new discoveries such as, Ta-Ta’s Margarita, a twist on a classic with turmeric-infused Cabrito Blanco tequila, Rinomato Americano Blanco, Chili-infused Honey, Lime, Starfruit & Grapefruit Tonic and A Mumbai Donkey, a mix of Cardamom-infused Russian Standard Vodka, Pear, Parsley and Ginger beer. Open from 11am, Mrs Fogg’s will serve up small plates inspired by the cuisine of the subcontinent until late, including Keralan Fried Chicken, Mini Mango Salads, Sweet Potato Pani Puri and Jackfruit Biryani presented in traditional Indian tiffin boxes. On Saturday afternoons, a Tiffin Tea experience comprised of sweet and savoury bites served in Dabbawala tins, live entertainment, and eclectic cocktails will be available to book. Co-founder Charlie Gilkes, said: “We are delighted that Mr Fogg has found his perfect partner and look forward to introducing Mrs Fogg to Londoners very soon.”