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swanky bars in London - tips please!

Miss PoppyMiss Poppy Posts: 1,217
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in Advice #1
My niece is coming over from Dublin for a few days and we're meeting up in London.

I'd like to treat her to cocktails at a swanky London bar - I'm thinking ideally old school - The Ritz, Savoy, Claridges etc. Would like it to be somewhere we can gawp at genuinely posh people, rather than tourists such as ourselves.

Last time I took her to Harvey Nicks bar, which was lovely, but v quiet (she was hoping to spot some Made in Chelsea people, as she's mad about that programme.

Anyway, any suggestions most welcome!

Miss P

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    RAINBOWGIRL22RAINBOWGIRL22 Posts: 24,459
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    #2
    http://www.designmynight.com/london/bars/chelsea/made-in-chelsea-bars

    Personally I'd like a cocktail at the top of The Shard (this is as a Londoner!)
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    flagpoleflagpole Posts: 44,641
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    #3
    harvey Nicks bar is for picking up hookers.
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    scruffpotscruffpot Posts: 4,570
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    #4
    went to Nobu once for a few drinks, was very expensive for what they served..to be honest it was full of really pretentious people spending vast fortunes on drink that costs in the shops £10 a bottle...didn't eat there so i cannot comment, though from what i have read it seems to be good for food... lots of pretty women with boobs out and sleezy men in armarni suits.....

    Though everyone was all dressed up and smart, I wandered in past the bouncers in skate shoes, jeans and a tshirt about 10pm on a friday night... so either I was let in to be looked down upon, they thought i was famous or i went completely under their radar, as who would dare to do that... hahaha... me

    I tried to talk to people outside when I was having a **** but really snotty, Didn't like it at all was more comfy round the corner in the pub with a pint of ale where had lots of random chats to people outside.
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    James_MayJames_May Posts: 606
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    #5
    Milk & Honey up in Soho is very swanky. You can get in without membership but this is restricted to 11pm and you have to call some days in advance.

    http://www.mlkhny.com/house-rules/
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    JulesFJulesF Posts: 6,461
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    #6
    Artesian at the Langham Hotel. Best cocktail bar in London, hands down, in my opinion.
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    PopRocketPopRocket Posts: 587
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    #7
    James_May wrote: »
    Milk & Honey up in Soho is very swanky. You can get in without membership but this is restricted to 11pm and you have to call some days in advance.

    http://www.mlkhny.com/house-rules/

    Haha I love the rules :D
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    gdjman68wasdigigdjman68wasdigi Posts: 21,705
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    #8
    A proper pub with good live music and a decent pint..... and maybe a nice steak... Dosent that sound better than trying to spot do called celebs who can't put two words together???
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    NX-74205NX-74205 Posts: 4,691
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    #9
    The Promenade at the Dorchester. It doesn't get much better than that.
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    cavallicavalli Posts: 18,738
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    #10
    NX-74205 wrote: »
    The Promenade at the Dorchester. It doesn't get much better than that.

    One of my favourites :)

    The bar at the Connaght is rather wonderful too, some of the best cocktails I've ever tasted.
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    [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 372
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    #11
    I rate this place http://http://www.vertigo42.co.uk/#londons-highest-champagne-bar amazing views, you'll need to book though.
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    malpascmalpasc Posts: 9,641
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    #12
    If you want to see Made in Chelsea types go to Bluebird on Kings Road. They have filmed in there a few times. Posh but not over the top expensive.
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    [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 1,170
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    #13
    RAINBOWGIRL22 wrote: »
    http://www.designmynight.com/london/bars/chelsea/made-in-chelsea-bars

    Personally I'd like a cocktail at the top of The Shard (this is as a Londoner!)

    I would second that, it's lovely, also have a look at Londonist.com
    Lots of ideas and links.
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    Jean-FrancoisJean-Francois Posts: 2,301
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    #14
    The Sky Lounge at the Double Tree Hilton in Pepys Street, north side of Tower Bridge is a buzzing place on Friday nights, and the restaurant and bar on the 32nd. floor of Centre Point, in the Paramount Restaurant affords a terrific 360 degree view of London.
    Don't know about Made in Chelsea, or Only Way is Essex people though, personally if they were there I'd swerve the place, big time.
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    Miss PoppyMiss Poppy Posts: 1,217
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    #15
    The bars you've described sound lovely, but I'm still set on one of the old-school ones - Ritz/Claridges/Savoy etc...

    But thanks anyway, am sure info will come in useful for the future!
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    cavallicavalli Posts: 18,738
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    #16
    Miss Poppy wrote: »
    The bars you've described sound lovely, but I'm still set on one of the old-school ones - Ritz/Claridges/Savoy etc...

    But thanks anyway, am sure info will come in useful for the future!

    The bars at Claridges and the Ritz can be a little dull to be honest. The Savoy and the Dorchester have much better atmospheres and are wonderful for people watching while you sip :)
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    cnbcwatchercnbcwatcher Posts: 56,681
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    #17
    gdjman68wasdigi wrote: »
    A proper pub with good live music and a decent pint..... and maybe a nice steak... Dosent that sound better than trying to spot do called celebs who can't put two words together???

    That's what I personally would would go for. Posh cocktail bars are my idea of hell. Give me a nice cosy pub with TV, free wifi, live music and fish n chips any day :D At least it's down to earth.
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    jrajra Posts: 48,325
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    #18
    Miss Poppy wrote: »
    My niece is coming over from Dublin for a few days and we're meeting up in London.

    I'd like to treat her to cocktails at a swanky London bar - I'm thinking ideally old school - The Ritz, Savoy, Claridges etc. Would like it to be somewhere we can gawp at genuinely posh people, rather than tourists such as ourselves.

    Last time I took her to Harvey Nicks bar, which was lovely, but v quiet (she was hoping to spot some Made in Chelsea people, as she's mad about that programme.

    Anyway, any suggestions most welcome!

    Miss P

    http://www.timeout.com/london/search?_source=global&profile=london&_dd=&page_zone=home&keyword=cocktail+bars&on=&locationText=
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    Master OzzyMaster Ozzy Posts: 18,937
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    #19
    I second the Artesan at the Langham!!
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    [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 4,091
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    #20
    cavalli wrote: »
    The bars at Claridges and the Ritz can be a little dull to be honest. The Savoy and the Dorchester have much better atmospheres and are wonderful for people watching while you sip :)

    Agree also the bar at the restaurant in Somerset House - sorry totally forgotten the name. Great atmosphere and lovely cocktails.

    Have a wonderful time wherever you end up! xx
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