One of the world's most exclusive members' clubs Annabel's - founded in 1963 by Mark Birley - is set to re-launch in London any time soon, with the venue not moving very far... Two doors down in fact, from 44 Berkley Square in the ritzy Mayfair neighbourhood to number 46. It's Rude To Stare got a sneak peek as to what regulars can expect and I can promise, they're in for a real hoot with four floors of fun awaiting, topped off with a mescal bar boasting one of the largest collection of tequilas at close to 600 bottles. Think opulence and old London glory with four restaurants, seven bars, tw...
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If you’re looking to enjoy a festive cocktail in luxurious surroundings, look no further than the stylish Long Bar at the Sanderson Hotel, which has been transformed into a winter wonderland. You’ll be wowed by their beautiful floral instillation hanging above the bar, the tall trees dotted around and a snow machine which creates magical scenes of snowy intervals every fifteen minutes.
Read more →Newly opened and hotly awaited, The Mandrake is an independent hotel tucked away in Fitzrovia. Owned by Beirut-born businessman Rami Fustok, the RIBA-award winning converted hotel is a five star sensory experience whose hedonistic properties seep from every nook and cranny; from the eclectic art curation and bamboo-clad garden terrace to the polished hotel suites and Michelin-star restaurant that lie within its walls. Waeska Bar at The Mandrake is located on the ground floor at the heart of the hotel, surrounded by an opulent collection of taxidermy, a luxury red velvet booth and miscellaneou...
Read more →Some places are just worth travelling for and indeed this is one of them. Whilst not all the way in West or East London, Dickies is far from the madding crowd. A curious and eloquent walk in Mayfair which will bring you to the doorsteps of Corrigan’s where the new Dickies bar has made it’s new home. Dickie’s Bar by Richard Corrigan is a collaborative project with Gregory Buda from The Dead Rabbit, a famous and must visit spot in New York, voted the World’s Best Bar (World’s 50 Best, 2016) and Richard Ryan, founder of Drinksology. Partnering two experts and innovators in this way can only lead...
Read more →Blade Hairclub located in the heart of Soho, is an innovative bar and hair concept that has started to transform the way we view salons. With its unique combination of highly-skilled hairdressing and expertly stocked bar, they've nailed the mix of hair salon expertise with a side of cocktail and Netflix to keep guests occupied as they ponder their new look.
Read more →We were greeted by a tall ‘prison guard', yelling out orders with a Southern drawl. ‘Any contraband will be confiscated’ I discreetly slipped my small bottle of Conkers Gin into the belt of my trousers whilst I slipped into my uniform for the night; a bright orange jumpsuit branded with the Alcotraz logo. Mug shots were taken and we were then hustled through into our cells. ‘What did you do to get in here’ one prison guard whispered. Nervous giggles ensued but the guards never once broke character.
Read more →If you've not explored The Ned in the heart of the City then you must. On walking in, the scale of the place is guaranteed to shock you into a silent state of awe. The former bank has undergone the ultimate makeover in the hands of Soho House stalwart Nick Jones, in collaboration with the supremely slick New York-based hotel group, Sydell. It is now a 252-room hotel, part members club and food emporium, boasting an impressive nine restaurants. On a Wednesday night - with a friend from New York - I checked into Kaia, an Asian-inspired eatery on The Ned’s ground floor. I was glad we had boo...
Read more →If you're a fan of gin then Gintonica in Notting Hill is a MUST. The restaurant is part of a unique distillery-hotel complex, which is brimming with character and west London low-key flair. Expect a chilled atmosphere, tasty tapas and top notch drinks. We hit the upstairs eatery on a Sunday evening. The sun was streaming into the double height ceilinged room and we took a table next to one of the windows overlooking the quaint bricks of Portobello market below. The music was good, there was a nice buzz and the open-air kitchen was a visual delight, as was the corner bar with libations con...
Read more →Move aside Mojito and Martini, we’re ready for a new wave of cocktails. The Cocktail Trading Company never fail to delight us with their creative concoctions and their summer menu is no different. Experimenting with flavour combinations, we can see the likes of gin, celery and grapefruit in their Weeper’s Joy cocktail and Vodka, rose hip and mint puree in their Grasshopper.
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