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Metrodeco A storm in a vintage teacup Metrodeco is situated on Upper St James Street and was established in 2008, starting off life as an Art Deco antiques shop. Co-owners Maggie and Helen cleverly decided to amalgamate a tea room into the equation in 2009. Gradually the tea room trade overtook the antiques trade, meaning that it made sense to stop selling the furniture and let people sit on it instead! The tearoom is both decadent and welcoming, retaining an air of 1930's vintage glamour with a contemporary, Brighton twist. Pooches are very welcome, you can even buy luxury dog biscuits so they don't feel left out, while you indulge in a sumptuous cream tea, or a cocktail or two. Having already been acquainted with the heavenly delights of Metrodeco's cream tea, I was so over the moon when invited to try some tea infused gin cocktails, that I literally skipped the length of St James Street to get there. The owner offered me a ‘Shady Lady’, which arrived in a miniature glass teapot, accompanied by a matching glass teacup and saucer. Feeling rather like a character from Alice in Wonderland, I poured myself a dram and was delighted with the perfectly balanced mixture of flavours: Blackdown Gin infused with Metrodeco's own Shades of Grey tea (Earl Grey with rose and orange peel), pomegranate and rose cordial, lychee liqueur and a top up of tonic. This was a welcome alternative to my usual G&T, I didn't even mind that it was raining on the walk home afterwards, such is the power of a decent gin cocktail. There are a variety of gin's available, which come served in delightful Spanish Balloon glasses. Not only that, Metrodeco make their own dehydrated fruit that they use to garnish the drinks, which certainly adds something extra special to the presentation. Owner, Helen, was quick to point out that they are not a bar, just somewhere that happens to sell nice drinks. She is very much an ambience advocator, saying: “It's not just about drinking the drink, there are other factors involved too. From the flavours, to the glass you're drinking from. We pride ourselves on creating the perfect atmosphere for our customers to sit and enjoy themselves. We see it as an experience rather than just a drink.” Now that the weather has drastically improved, it would be impertinent not to stop by after work one evening and enjoy some of possibly the nicest cocktails you’ll ever have, served by people who are passionate about their gin. I will certainly be repeating the experience.