My Life In Booze: Max Venning, Three Sheets
The bar I go to most often is Scarfes Bar at Rosewood London. You’ll get exceptional service and it’s the most wonderful room. In terms of pubs, I have so many favourites so it’s hard to narrow it down to one, so I’ll go for The Grapes and The French House. I was recently impressed with The Hound that’s just opened in Chiswick.
Another favourite new opening is Josephine Bouchon in Fulham. It’s a little slice of Paris in London, and I’ve loved it every time I’ve been there.
The most memorable place I’ve ever had a drink is The Nomad New York. When it opened, the level of quality and hospitality was something I had never experienced – and haven't since. It was the perfect venue opened at the perfect time.
For a quick drink, I might pop into our new Soho site. I’m really enjoying the energy, whether I’m working or drinking there. And I think Rosey and Simone in the Dalston site consistently put out the best new creations in the city. But outside of our own team, my favourite mixologists are Damien and Sam from Wax On in Berlin. And Soma in Soho and Satan’s Whiskers out east are both excellent.
My top recommendation for impressing a date is to choose somewhere for them, not for you.
I tend not to drink when I’m at home given I’m lucky to spend lots of time in bars and restaurants drinking for work. Considering I work in booze, I find it easy to not drink, especially if I’m alone at home or travelling. If I’m cooking, I’ll maybe have some wine, but never cocktails. If I’m hosting at home, it's always nice to open a bottle of champagne. Billecart-Salmon Rosé is a winner.
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My dream party guest would be Eric Cantona. He’d be a laugh for sure. I grew up watching him play football, but he always comes across as someone with interesting opinions. Otherwise, my favourite drinking companions are my oldest friends.
The secret to hosting a good party is prepping everything ahead. This is extra important if you’re doing cocktails. Get the batches done and in the fridge, ready to go so you aren’t in the weeds when your guests arrive.
I like hosting BBQs. I always start with oysters and champagne, then some big hearty salads and big bits of meat – maybe some chicken done over the coals and a slow-cooked lamb, plus a big pile of eton mess to finish.
The best party I’ve ever been to is the Brit Awards afterparty at The Savoy. A friend and I had just moved to London – we must have been 23 or 24. We skipped down a service staircase and in behind the bouncers. Nile Rogers and Kylie Minogue played a set about two metres away from us and we danced all night with Philip Treacy and Haim, then sat on a table with Dynamo while he did some magic. It was a surreal evening.
I don’t have a favourite vineyard but I really enjoy burgundy generally. One that’s stuck with me is David Duband – I’ve never had a bad bottle and it comes in at a decent price. A dear friend brought a bottle of ’01 Mouton Rothschild to our opening in Soho. We drank it casually during service, and it felt very decadent.
For a decent accompaniment to a Sunday lunch, I would go for a red burgundy or beaujolais. On the lighter side, although it's one of the cheaper appellations, I like a Brouilly with some roast chicken. If you prefer white, I’ve been drinking quite a bit of Rully recently.
If you want to up your cocktail-making game at home, check out Dave Arnold’s Liquid Intelligence For Bartenders. It’s a modern classic. And I have to shout out Batched & Bottle, which we wrote a few years ago – it’s designed for home bartenders.
I don’t ever do Dry January. Each to their own, but abstinence for a month doesn’t appeal to me, especially in a British January. But if you’re looking for decent non-alcoholic options, Soma does a good range, as does Tayēr + Elementary.
My best hangover advice? Get up, eat some healthy food and drink lots of water. Then go for a walk.
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