Commodore Club, Queen Mary 2
The barometer had steadily dropped throughout the day, the wind speed was nudging 50 knots and the waves over 20 feet high. But that wasn’t going to stop us as we barely broke stride on our way to the Commodore Club. To be fair, the Queen Mary 2 was dealing with the weather with assured disdain as she serenely sailed from New York to Southampton.
The Commodore Club is the premier bar on the QM2, serving cocktails, canapés, and pretty much any pre and post-prandial drink you could wish for. As with all our forays around drinking establishments, we like to engage with the bar staff wherever possible. We started chatting with one who didn’t want to be named; “I don’t want to be known for working on a cruise ship, (it’s a liner not a cruise ship) I still dream of being famous in Hollywood!” At least he is working in a venue fit for a film star; it could be a set lifted from a 1930’s Hollywood blockbuster with its white leather, black marble and view straight out to sea. And behind the bar the true star of the show, a giant model of the QM2.
But enough chat, it was time for a drink. , First up was a G&T for me, and a martini for Mrs. Gin. As much of Cunard’s history is based in Liverpool I opted for a Liverpool Gin and tonic. Mrs. Gin chose a dry martini with a twist using Monkey 47. I was disappointed not to be consulted on garnishes or tonic water. In the extensive menu there are suggestions for garnishes but for me this is a touch formulaic, I prefer to be asked and advised. When my drink was served I enquired as to the tonics available – Schweppes in bottle and tin, Fever Tree plain, slim-line, Elderflower, and Britvic. A reasonable selection. I asked what mine was served with; Britvic from the tap. Oh dear.
Mrs. Gin was delighted with her martini. I tasted it and could understand why, fabulous.; what a drink. Mine was disappointing; I’m not a fan of Britvic, especially not from a tap. So I decided to try a signature cocktail. The Commodore Club offers many cocktails but has recently added seven devoted to the knighted Commodores of the line. Each is ‘intended to reflect the personalities of these celebrated men’. I chose Punch Romaine a la Carpathia, supposed to be the last drink served before the Titanic sank. Sir Arthur Rostron who led the rescue of Titanic survivors inspires it. Quite what this drink says about him I’m not sure, containing as it does; limoncello, advocaat, cream sherry, lime juice and has melted marshmallow on top. Let me just say it wasn’t to my taste, and leave it at that.
So, did this qualify as a gin joint? Well it stocks twelve gins: Bombay Sapphire, G’Vine Floraison, Hayman’s Old Tom and Sloe, Hendrick’s, Liverpool, Martin Millers, Monkey 47 (the best seller), Plymouth, Sipsmith, Tanqueray 10 and Whitley Neill, so a reasonable selection. But no, it’s not a Gin Joint in Theginmans opinion; the staff let it down in that respect. I like informed discussion, opinions expressed, advice profferred. Was it special, a great place to go for an occasion? Absolutely.
