Just what is the Cosy Kettle?

We should really do a whole Free Weekend feature on Somers Town, the historic patch of NW1 much influenced by the three mainline north London railway termini – Euston, St. Pancras and King’s Cross – which form its borders.

After all, what’s more Lahhhndon than its central thoroughfare, Chalton Street, with weekly traditional market (Fridays, since you ask), useful corner boozer and juxtaposition of old school caffs and restaurants? One Italian trattoria is even – quite brilliantly – called Romance.

Then there’s a smattering of bakeries and posh international places like smart Szechuan Red & Hot – and, further upstream towards Camden, always buzzy gastropub Somers Town Coffee House.

And now the street is poshing up a bit more as the craze for subterranean speakeasies gathers pace. Cosy Kettle opens tomorrow deep in the basement of the aforementioned Coffee House. The promise? Why, cakes ‘n’ cocktails, of course.

Does this craze for sticky treats and strong libations have no end, for goodness’ sake? But still, if it’s not for everyone, at least it suggests a sort of fin de siecle loucheness. Or should that be Dangerous Liaisons?

Whatever, we were intrigued enough to pop by the other day – a little pre-opening, to be honest – just as the Hoover lay snake-like on the floor, and the lights were firmly on max. At least it meant we copped a good eyeful: and it’s quite a cavernous space, with the emphasis on homely rather than sexy.

The interior? A mish-mash of eclectic styles, colours and textures, from glass cabinets to reclaimed chairs, painted wood to soft furnishings. “And unlike some speakeasies it’s not going to be too dark,” says owner Anthony, “the idea is for it to be a civilised spot to enjoy a fine cocktail – rather than get drunk.”

Sounds sensible to us. Whether that pans out, god only knows. And the drinks menu boasts the usual range of libations, from French Martinis to Mojitos; prices hover upwards of £8. Plus it’s open pretty late – around 3am as long as it’s busy enough.

If you haven’t been to the upstairs pub, that’s worth a snoop too. Spacious, with a buzzy post-work front terrace and a cute courtyard garden out back, its name harks back to a time when it was the only coffee house in the area, largely frequented by foreigners. Now? It’s packed with suits and meeja types, and hosts laidback supper clubs in its upstairs rooms.

“The beauty of having Cosy Kettle at the Somers Town Coffee House means that there are three unique areas of the pub all under one roof, each one completely different to the other,” says Anthony.