The Fitzgerald presents new cocktails & live music for grown-ups

The Brainchild of MAD Ltd (the people that brought you Hula, Rosylee and Walrus), The Fitzgerald is a 20’s styled bar with a vintage, speakeasy vibe.

‘Classic cocktails done well,
with no poncey bells
and whistles…’

Heading up the stairs through the hidden entrance (just off Stevenson’s Square) there is an air of mystery as classic chandeliers guide you to the dark and mysterious drinking den, with its plush velvet and leather sofas, dark wood tables and 1920’s cut glass for sipping delicious cocktails from.

Acting as a craft cocktail lounge primarily, they do some sophisticated and very grown up concoctions- with no Cheeky Vimto in sight!

Served in beautifully cut glassware each cocktail seems more tantalising than the last and seemed a world away from the usual hipster hang-outs in the NQ (which could only be a good thing). The 2 for £10 offer all night on a Thursday (and from 5-8pm on Fridays and Saturdays) was certainly an offer too tempting to refuse.

‘The Fitzgerald Bramble’ was first up, garnished with a couple of blueberries and a sprig of thyme. Gin, with a squeeze of lemon and the flavour of dark berries smacking your lips.

Another gin-based cocktail was also a clear favourite in the form of ‘The South Side’. Brought to fame in the 20s it was a top tipple of Al Capone and the infamous South Side Gang. If it was good enough for them, than it was certainly good enough for me. Beefeater Gin, lime and garnished with a sprig of mint- incredibly refreshing, simplicity at its best.

Fruitier cocktails like the ‘French Martinilla’ packed with vanilla, pineapple and berry flavours and ‘Daisy’s Desire’ added a bit of sparkle to its raspberry and passionfruit culmination. Classic cocktails done well, with no poncey bells and whistles – a refreshing change.

On a Thursday evening, as well as the cocktail deal, this is accompanied by live music – with jazz, blues and soul the order of the day.

On my visit, ‘The Northernettes’ played – three bright young brunettes from ‘up north (you guessed it) retrofitted the classic sounds of the 50’s and 60’s and certainly packed out the intimate venue. They were vocally pitch perfect throughout their set and it almost came as no surprise to hear that they had been snapped up by the iconic and eclectic Isle of Wight Festival.

As the evening wound down Lucy Mae and Luc Phan brought a bit of blues to the party, with the duos cover of ‘Black Magic Woman’ by Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac a particular highlight, playing a mix of covers and their own material well into the twilight hours.

If you fancy a bit of an escape from the usual NQ adolescent haunts and something a bit more grown up, The Fitzgerald could be the place for you.