London's ultimate style bars
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Michelle Matthews, the writer of Bar Secrets - London Style Bars from the Deck of Secrets Series, takes us on a journey of discovery with her personal top 10 bars in London
Loungelover
1 Whitby St, London, E2
T: 0207 012 1234
www.lestroisgarcons.comA perennial favourite and lots of fun. This drop-dead gorgeous bar simply oozes style and decadence. Drinks are remarkably good while food consists of an intriguing range of international dishes. You would never know from the visually stunning furnishing and decor that this bar was a former meat-processing warehouse!
All Star Lanes
Whiteleys, Porchester Gardens, W2
T: 0207 313 8363
www.allstarlanes.co.ukI just love this concept of an American-style bowling alley and style bar mash up, created by a talented group of West London lads. You can book a private lane; have a cheese burger and a milkshake - all part of the American tradition, but a tad cooler. Work your way through the fabulous drinks list including twisted cocktail classics such as The King Pin and Lucky Lilly Margarita.
Artesian at the Langham Hotel
The Langham Hotel, 1c Portland Place, Regent St, W1
T: 0207 636 1000
www.artesian-bar.co.ukThis glam hotel bar is the perfect pitstop in which to enjoy cocktail hour. Get there at 5pm to people watch as ladies stagger in laden with designer bags from nearby Liberty, Selfridges and Aquascutum. I recommend the classic Rum cocktails and make sure you try the house Daiquiri, Dark and Stormy, or The Artesian Punch.
Joel Robuchon
13-15 West St, WC2
T: 0207 010 8600
www.joel-robuchson.comI love this bar quite simply for its stunning collection of drinks. The Salon Bar is the jewel on top of Joel Robuchon's famous restaurant. The bar is loungey and sexy with opulent red velvet curtains and low lighting giving glimpses of red roses tucked into niches. Petals on trays of your desired drink add elegance to a bar that could easily lend itself as a smoky Parisian jazz cafe from the 1930s. A London must!
The Champagne Bar
St Pancras International, NW1
T: 020 300 61550
www.searcystpancras.co.ukThis bar has to be in my top 10 as the highlight of the beautiful iconic St Pancras. The Champagne Bar features all the expected top brands - Chandon, Pol Roger, Dom Perignon etc, with food served in the form of posh canapes. Nothing brings back the romance of rail travel quite like a glass of bubbles at Europe's longest bar!
Mahiki
1 Dover St, W1
T: 0207 493 9529
www.mahiki.comIt's over the top but you can't help but love it. Royals, celebrities and rich kids alike ensure this full-on party venue is crammed to the rafters every night of the week. Mahiki is an authentic Tiki style bar and from the cavernous layout and exotic memorabilia, to the Hawaiian cushions and drinks served in coconuts, pineapples and hand-carved tiki cups, the experience is very kitsch!
The East Room
2A Tabernacle St, EC2
T: 0207 920 0701
www.thstrm.comThis swanky bar in trendy Shoreditch, sports an edgy interior with a super sound system and music policy care of local music legend Stuart Patterson. You can be sure the room will be filled with Shoreditch's hip and happening crowd, serving quality cocktails and an impressive wine list by the glass.
Harvey Nichols Fifth Floor Bar
Harvey Nichols, Knightsbridge, SW1
T: 0207 235 5250
www.harveynichols.comI am a Harvey Nichols fan so it's no surprise that that bar provides yet another reason to visit! The bar is a collaboration with Stolichnaya Vodka so you can count on spectacular cocktails and delicious Russian nibbles. The service is impeccable, even when bustling with shoppers on a Saturday afternoon.
Bistrotheque
23-27 Wadeson St, E2
T: 0208 983 7900
www.bistrotheque.comWell worth the cab ride out of the centre of town, Bistrotheque occupies the first floor of a converted East End Sweatshop. It's a gem of a bar with a well-selected jukebox and excellent live cabaret spots. With its high vaulted ceilings, white walls, marble top tables and bentwood furniture it has an industrial meets bistro feel. I can recommend a cocktail - Bloody Marys to Passion Fruit caipirinhas - otherwise there is a great, well-priced wine and champagne list.
Montgomery Place
31 Kensington Park Rd, W11
T: 0207 792 3921
www.montgomeryplace.co.ukMontgomery Place is the quintessential neighbourhood cocktail bar if you're lucky enough to live in Notting Hill. Great for meeting friends after schlepping up Portobello on a Friday and Saturday. Try the pleasingly strong Montgomery Martini!
For more information on London Style Bars and other decks in the series visit www.deckofsecrets.com. For updates on the latest bars around the world to be seen and the heads up on new Decks launching, sign up for the Deck of Secrets newsletter.
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