Magic and cocktails this Sunday

CellarDoor, Zero Aldwych
Sunday, magic from 7-10pm 
Free 

Oh alright, I confess: I was going to write about CellarDoor on The Strand a good month ago but suffered a crisis of "But it's MI-INE"-ness and backed out.

I love it. It's my favourite place in London. Cheery, glamorous and so damned small that it nearly breaks my heart to talk about it.

If you haven't had the pleasure, this wonderful retro-burlesque glamour cupboard is located down some stairs next to the Lyceum Theatre and Sunday's excellent magic evening should be your first port of call.

I went along last night to investigate their new cocktails and nibbles. The Catherine Deneuve (not pictured) - Champagne, elderflower, gin and cucumber - nearly made me die in an alcoholic haze of joy.

The Hobbit (right) - a sort of grape Caipiroska - managed the impossible and shut up my two friends in silent reverie. The other drink in the picture is a Wilfred Bramble: part of their revamped classics range, it's a trad Bramble with a twist of Campari. Shame I hate Campari, thank God my friend does.

Dr John, the well-bearded CellarDoor magician came over and did some card tricks. I don't really want to say "did some card tricks" because that's about as prosaic as saying Jesus "woke up again" - his close up card magic was so impressive we couldn't stop going on about it afterwards.

I know it's all supposed to be sleight of hand, but the man must have some time freezing abilities Hiro-style because the things he was doing with the Jack of Clubs were frankly impossible.

So yes - for the best magic you'll see this side of the Inner Circle (and you won't unless you're at a corporate party - damn them), fantastic cocktails and bonhomie on a scale not seen in an age, you could do a lot worse than joining me down there on Sunday. Entry's free, drinks are cheap, snuff is a fiver. Brilliant.

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