» Killer cocktails
Lucky Voice may be the hottest karaoke bar this side of Tokyo, but did you know it’s also a sizzling cocktail bar?
Everyone needs to have a karaoke song: a number that, no matter what your singing voice is like, you can belt out with ease and amaze your friends. Karaoke is certainly not about having a good voice, it’s about having a good time, and the guys at Lucky Voice know a lot about having good fun.
Once you have your karaoke song you also need to have your cocktail. Everyone should spend a little time finding out what cocktail they really like. It saves wading through menus of wild and wacky names in the hope that what you choose you will actually like.
“Everyone needs to have a karaoke song, just as everyone needs to have their cocktail”
So why not head down to Lucky Voice and do both bits of research at the same time? You can explore your vocal repertoire and explore the cocktail menu at your leisure…
Best kept secret
Lucky Voice is probably best known as a karaoke venue, but their cocktail bar is one of the city’s best kept secrets. The Lucky Voice bar is open to the public and has live DJs playing there on Friday and Saturday nights. Yes, you can drink and not sing if that is what you like.
Unlike your average karaoke club, Lucky Voice is not a bar with a stage where the general public sing in front of strangers. No, it’s a far more intimate affair where you book a private (read soundproof) booth and sing with your nearest and dearest. No public humiliation is involved whatsoever. The booths are lush, padded banquette seating, together with props, an amazing selection of songs and brilliant waiter service for all your drinks. You simply press the ‘Thirsty’ button and help will arrive. There are beers and spirits, champagne, cocktails and shots to oil those vocal chords. And when you finish singing you can retire to the relative quiet of the bar and relax with a recuperative drink.
What, no singing?
Yes, singing is not required, although most people will find it hard to resist once inside. The bar is open to the general public; simply go in to the main reception and say that you would like to go to the bar. Downstairs you will find a sparkling room where you can feel comfortable either dressed up or dressed down.
Their cocktail menu is a great blend of classics and contemporary concepts, but if you don’t see what you want, then the mixologists are happy to whip up your favourite drink. If you find the choice too large, then have a chat with the bar staff and tell them what spirits you like; what mixers; what flavours; if you like them long or short (drinks that is!), and leave it to them to mix up something you are bound to enjoy.
Here at Latest 7, we must confess to having a real liking for the Sherbet Kiss, a spiky little shot that comes with the added bonus of a sherbet flying saucer as a garnish. If you prefer something longer then you could go for the signature Lucky Destiny, a cool blend of apple, cucumber and mint that will leave any Mojito in the shade.
The lucky draw
Lucky Voice opened in a blaze of publicity, fun and jelly. Now it has firmly become one of the city’s most favourite and fun nights out. With special deals and happy hour before 8pm Monday to Friday, the Lucky Voice cocktail bar is a great place to start, end or spend your whole evening.
Lucky Voice, 8 Black Lion Street, Brighton, BN1 1ND, 01273 715770, www.luckyvoice.co.uk
SHERBET KISS
20ml raspberry vodka
10ml Cointreau
5ml lime juice
5ml cranberry juice
1 raspberry
Flying saucer
sherbet sweet
The Sherbet Kiss shot is made by shaking raspberry Stolichnaya vodka and Cointreau with cranberry, fresh raspberries, lime juice and ice. Then strain from the cocktail tin into a shot glass and top with a flying saucer sherbet sweet. The drink should be enjoyed by placing the flying saucer on your tongue and letting the flavours go through the sherbet as you drink.
LUCKY DESTINY
1/4 kiwi
3 wheels cucumber (chopped)
4 mint leaves
10ml sugar syrup
40ml gin or vodka
10ml apple Schnapps
10ml lime juice
25ml apple juice
Lime wheel
Mint sprig
The Lucky Destiny is a mix of either Smirnoff Black premium vodka or Hendricks Gin. Firstly, muddle the kiwi fruit with cucumber and homemade sugar syrup, then add crushed ice and top with the chosen spirit. Carefully fold in the flavours of pressed apple juice and apple Schnapps, then release essence of mint into the drink by smashing the leaves. Finally, serve with a lime squeezed wheel and mint sprig.
