There’s history attached to Sherlock and no, we are not talking about Arthur Conan Doyle’s detective or even Benedict Cumberbatch for that matter. This resto-pub started off in Bengaluru, in the early 90s as Sherlock Holmes Pub on MG Road. The pub underwent a renovation in 2014, after a group of enterprising youngsters took over and rebranded it as Sherlock’s Pub. Today, four years later, the brand has a total of nine outlets in Bengaluru and one in Dubai.
Sherlock’s that opened its doors in Chennai just a couple of months ago in Kilpauk now has a second outlet at Le Royal Meridien. While one of the owners and CEO Anand, promises that they “are here to change the way Chennai parties,” we can only remain hopeful that this outlet will truly live up to the high standards set.
Sherlock’s stands where Le Royal Meridien’s F Bar used to be, and as we walk in, we realise that not much has changed in terms of the décor. The sleek diamond cuts and the ceiling full of lights that defined F bar still remain. However, Holmes does make his presence felt at the entrances of the pub, with huge motifs on the walls outside, and one inside as well. Sherlock’s signature LED lights make an appearance — telling you that ‘You’re more beautiful than you think’ and ‘head this way to have a good time’.
We take our seats on the low couches opposite the bar and order our drinks. Anand is a self-taught mixologist and comes up with two cocktails — a Sparkling Garden (gin and sparkling wine topped with watermelon) that truly added a bit of sparkle to our evening; and their signature cocktail, Sherlocker (gin, cucumber and a dash of pineapple juice) which is a great refresher for the summer. Keeping the tropical flavours going we try the Snowball, a happy blend of tender coconut, raspberry and basil seeds, and a Sangria mocktail which is a fruity concoction of cranberry, orange, cut fruit and red wine syrup — a tad too sweet if you ask us but tasty nonetheless. If beer is your poison, there’s Stella Artois, Kingfisher pints and Hoegaarden beer to choose from.
Most of the food comes from Le Meridien’s kitchen, so if you’re looking for Sherlock’s signature masala peanuts (the bar snack), you’re going to be disappointed. But if salted peanuts and Cheeslings would suffice, then we assure you, you’re sorted. If you’re in the mood for a slightly heavier snack, we recommend the Bhuna Mutton Tawa Fry, where succulent kebabs of mutton top a gently roasted pav. Else, there is always the tried and tested molaga bajji, only this one is called a Giant pepper popper and is stuffed with a filling of potato and peanuts. But what really set our palates on fire (thus making it the perfect accompaniment to our drink) was the Andhra style Chilli Chicken, which packs a punch in terms of flavour and heat.
Timings: 6pm to 11.30 pm; Cost for two: Rs 1,200+taxes