Embarking on a quest for quirky cocktails and darkly delightful dining, I hit up The Alchemist in Nottingham (also found in London or Edinburgh) – because, let's face it, a city with outlaw history and a less-than-stellar sheriff is practically begging for some magic. Promising a night of unconventional liquid enchantment, this restaurant and bar is nestled in a rumoured-to-be-haunted gothic building, one of the city's finest examples of grand Victorian architecture.

Visiting The Alchemist is never not a great idea.

First impressions? If Willy Wonka ever opened a speakeasy, it would probably look a lot like The Alchemist. As soon as you step in, you're greeted with the pitter-patter of voices blending seamlessly with the loud, vibey music that sets the tone for the joint. A smorgasbord of dark, moody, and kooky laboratory vibes, this den of delights screamed date night, complete with dimly lit industrial-style corners, ancient symbology and gold accents.

A copper-cased wonderland, The Alchemist's menu features all kinds of molecular delights.

Kicking off the festivities, my dining partner in crime and I started with a shot each of the cosmic oysters (£11 for a duo). Served in a metal oyster shell, this rockstar of aperitifs chilling on an ice-packed platter was not just for show. These flavour-packed shots were a sweet and citrusy tag-team of gin, limoncello, yuzu, and passionfruit pearls. Then, for my first cocktail of the night, I opted for a 3.5oz of Happiness (£15) to add an extra sprinkle of joy to my life - a sweet blend of Portobello gin, Chambord raspberry, vermouth, and citrus served in a snazzy silver hip flask – yours to keep once you've sipped every drop. My friend also savoured her Pear Pressure (£10) concoction, a light and earthy mix of gin, pear liqueur, cucumber mint syrup, and citrus poured into a pressurised container.

As our eyes wandered over to the food menu, we realised The Alchemist was by no means just a cocktail bar; the fare was pretty good, too. To jumpstart the feast, we went for the tempura prawn lollipops (£8) – a fabulously juicy but light, crispy delight paired perfectly with a side of sweet chilli dipping sauce. The crispy curried fish (£18.50) that followed was an elegant treat, with fresh seasonal fish bathed in a light coconut curry sauce alongside crispy noodles and jasmine rice. My friend ordered the picanha steak smoking board (£22), which, on paper, seemed like the perfect cheat day treat, offering a variety of sides to match your carnivorous desires. Yet, as she cast an envious eye on my fish, it became apparent that her dish was a bit lacklustre and a tad too dry. 

Every drink at The Alchemist Nottingham's menu is a work of art, complete with smoke, flames, and quirky garnishes all around.

We rounded off our evening with two more cocktails, firstly the Pop Notch (£10.50) – a dazzling blend of cherry gin, pink grapefruit, and apple, crowned with a flavoured fog bubble (that's just begging to be popped). Next up, The Legal One (£10.50), a zesty two-part drink crafted from cardamom gin and tropical vermouth that made a grand entrance with mist rising out of a bong-style drinking glass.

The DesignMyNight Digest 

If you're into mixology theatrics and a menu that reads like a wizard's spellbook, we'd recommend The Alchemist as your new go-to spot. Fizzing, bubbling, colour-changing libations and monogrammed hip flasks to take home are all standard shenanigans at this tipple factory, where the main event of the night is definitely the cocktails. 

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