Vertigo 42

intoxicating

Bubbly Overview 22nd February 2009

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I HAVE attempted some silly things in an effort to triumph a fear of heights. There was the charity skywire from my university library (the only time I entered it, and witness how fast I fled). During my gap year, I leapt out of a manky little contraption which looked like a prop from ‘Wacky Races’. A video somewhere records swearing suitable for 12,000 feet. And when I was still making television programmes, I straddled a microlight / moped with wings to research a location, as did my presenter who accidentally unfastened his seatbelt whilst leaning to look at the speck of his house... I must have developed a relaxed attitude to altitude since, because I was utterly undaunted by a drink at 600ft. Maybe that’s dipsomania?

Since living in London, I have been awestruck by Tower 42. A 1970’s stalwart which resembles a razor blade from the ground and the NatWest insignia from the air. It was their H.Q. until the Bishopsgate Bombing of 1993. I have a friend who took in the aftermath from his campus bar. He told me that reams of paper filed through smashed windows like hellish ticker-tape. The chunky stainless steel frames force the eye to travel to the top and simultaneously tone down the windows. We live in a gradually more glassy London. I believe that in two decades we will harbour as much affection for this over-used material as we do today towards 1960’s concrete.

We were booked into ‘Vertigo 42’ for an hour and a quarter of Champagne and backdrop. The lobby looked like the bridge of the Enterprise and gently hummed. Once through airport style security, we were ushered to the bar’s very own lift, in Silk Cut purple. After an ascent taking half a second per floor, we pinged into a night club lobby with chaise longue, then the mirrored corridor bar.

Our tight ledge looked over Liverpool Street. We went just before sunset and saw a city threatened by night fight back with filaments. Long trails of brake lights looked like a lava flow.

The house fizz is minimally marked-up delivering petite, pleasant lemon-lime bubbles. You could spend £100s, although for less than £50 it was revitalising rather than distracting from the landscape. Earthy ceps which smelt of truffle were loaded on warm brioche with a slightly over-poached egg. A board of charcuterie unpeeled - I imagine - from a packet. was garishly garnished with slippery pickled onions. These clashed with the Champagne – how thoughtless. I expected a menu afloat with sturgeons’ eggs rather than hearty peasant planks.

Music was vigorous, urging ‘voulez vous coucher avec moi?’ I suppose the spike is a great aphrodisiac to escort a date to gaze, giddily at the glazing. There were plenty of city boys too exercising their Coutts cards. Easy to deride them, but if they stop spending, those providing our eating opportunities will be wounded.

I heard someone say that London looked beautiful, but didn’t agree. -An impressive, vital expanse. But never beautiful.

Soon the tower will be in the shadow of Richard Rogers’ Leadenhall Tower, set to soar 737ft. Then the Heron Tower will extend over 800ft, including a five storey aquarium. The Pinnacle will eclipse them both at nearly 950ft. And providing they resolve the economics, the London Bridge shard, at over 1000ft, will truly scrape the sky.

As my ears popped during the plunge of the little lift, which alleges to fit 13, I realised that the building interests me far more than the bar. If I experienced Vertigo on the ground, I would have found it a little less than ordinary…

DanWilkinson

London: five stars. Vertigo: three 23rd October 2008

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I have to agree with the general sentiments below on Vertigo 42 - the view is without exception the best in London, and really has to be seen at least once in one's life. The three stars relate to the fact that, without the view, this would be a pretty crap bar, and they do rely on that a bit more than they should, I think.

The two downsides in my mind are:

1. I know it's always going to be expensive, but the pricing of the drinks list, mainly Champagne, does verge on the cynical. Still, they don't charge an entry fee, so once you take that into account it sort of balances out. I suppose.

2. The layout of the bar, sort of in a thin strip around the outside of the building, makes it totally unsuitable for groups of more than four or so. My advice would be to book a table for two to four, and leave it at that.

On the whole though, what an experience, and the staff do their best to make it feel that way. Kick the night off here with a bottle of Pol Roger, marvel at London spread out before you, and then head off somewhere more comfortable to rave about how great it was.

I proposed to my fiancee here, and there's something quite nice about being able to see the venue where she said yes from pretty much anywhere in the city.

up_shiraz at 23/10/08

Totally agree with that. It is a very weird place - always put off by such strict security as you enter the building. And you're never quite sure if you've got the view you want. If you don't book and they tuck you 350 degrees around it's a bit pants.

That said, for a blow-out bottle of bubbly with a spectacular view it's hard to beat in London.

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QueenB

Head for heights 3rd October 2008

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Head for the tallest building in the city. You can see the blue strip of lighting from miles away.

Enter through a lilac-lit building entrance that reminded me of the Mayors Office.

Check in with a very smart glamour-puss of a receptionist and get shown to the lift that will whisk you directly up to the ear popping 42nd floor.

There you enter a dark, stylised reception area, greeted warmly by staff who take your coats and show you to your seats. With mirrored walls on your right and glass from floor to ceiling on your left, you can't help but feel a little unsteady on your feet!

Gazing out over a moon lit London, we spotted many buildings and got a breath taking view while sipping Lychee Bellinis (£12.50 each)and a plate of lovely marinated olives and shared a bottle of red (Australian Shiraz).

The staff were attentive, smiling and very helpful. Our waiter was sweet and took photos for us and when the more sought after seats with the better view became available (the first seats as you walk in) he kindly moved us and our drinks there without us even having to ask.

There was nice soulful house music playing quietly in the background, the clientelle was wealthy 30 somethings of all nationalities, along with a handful of tourists.

I would def would come back here, for a special night out out or a romantic evening.

If you don't have ahead for heights though, don't even attempt this! I had legs like Bambi for the 1st 15min!

oogywawa

An experience everyone should do once... 4th July 2008

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Want to impress someone? Then V42's your place.

Yes it's expensive, full of liggers on expense accounts and has the atmosphere of a corporate office but that pales into insignificance the moment you peer out of the glass.

If you pick the end of the day when the light is fading from a hazy sunshine through that glorious transition period from day into early evening and finally night you get 3 experiences in one.

Once you get used to the sheer height of the place (the lift covers 42 floors in 20 seconds or so...) and that indefinable feeling of being slightly unsettled and heady then you can enjoy the panoramic view of London and the horizon for as far as you can see.

You have to book well in advance and you get your own amount of space at the window, which depends on the size of your party. Drinks are mainly Champagne, with Wine & Cocktails available and snacks such as peanuts and olives. Service is attentive and the bill attention grabbing !

elena

Astonishing London view! 6th June 2007

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If you are looking for combining a glass of champagne with a perfect view in London, then Vertigo 42 champagne bar is the answer!It is situated in Tower 42, the tallest building in the City of London, and more precisely at its very last floor (42th!). The atmoshpere is very romantic and you can definetely admire from the top the most hot sightseeings of London such as Tower Bridge, Big Ben and London Eye to mention a few. Really good choice to go just after the sunset, and don't forget to make a reservation even 2 weeks before going if you are interested in a specific date!

jo104

Great views of the city 15th March 2007

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For spectacular views of the city this champagne cocktail bar is a must. It is nestled at the top of tower 42 (previously known as Natwest tower) which used to be the tallest tower in the city before Canary Wharf.

Bookings are done by timed slots and the best slot can be at sunset so you have the advantage of seeing the city in the daylight as well as when the lights get switched on. The unobstructed view is almost 360 degrees. The staff are very professional, the drinks menu is restricted to champagne, champagne cocktails & wine although I am convinced I have seen a bottled beer lurking in someones hands the few times I have been.

There is a light food menu on offer which is more of an art noveu style.

This is an excellent place for a romantic drinks date.

www.vertigo42.co.uk

NikoTheFinn

Bar with a view 27th September 2006

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The Vertigo Bar at Tower 42 (the NatWest Tower) is a yuppie paradise. With an extensive wine list, a SECOND wine list for those who don't think they can spend enough money per bottle from the first wine list and a flunkie in the chrome and stainless steel toilet, this is the place to see London from up on high, and the place to be seen. When i was here (the one and only time), there was an indian business man, banker who just got his bonus i presumed, who was buying bottles of Cristal for two blonde ladies, hookers i presumed. i thought to myself: "why the Cristal? they're hookers, for crying out loud, you don't need to impress them!" instead he impressed me with his spendthrift and care-free ways.

But, if you fancy a quick (but expensive) drink in a bar with an unparalleled view of London, then this is a good place to check out.

robcarter

View Tick Atmosphere Cross 4th September 2006

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Amazing view. Expensive drink. Atmosphere of a hotel corridor, all sort of sound proofed and too quiet. Go for the view, go elsewhere for the night. Go 30 minutes before sunset and stay an hour.