Latest reviews for Bars & Pubs in Mayfair, London, United Kingdom

The Running Horse - Nice bar, but too busy by carolirish

carolirish — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 12:25:14 +0000

Review by carolirish

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7493 1275

Tags: food, vegetarian dishes, pool tables

This place is very pleasant when there aren't many people in there, but when you get a few of the after-workers it becomes a little bit of a nightmare - its very difficult to get a seat, or even stand at that point.

Besides that, however, its a very nice trendy-but-warm feeling bar, a good selection of a beers and a friendly atmosphere. I found the staff here to be fairly friendly, and considering some of the other pubs in the area that is a real bonus!

Good food too! :)This place is very pleasant when there aren't many people in there, but when you get a few of the after-workers it becomes a little bit of a nightmare - its very difficult to get a seat, or even stand at that point.

Besides that, however, its a very nice trendy-but-warm feeling bar, a good selection of a beers and a friendly atmosphere. I found the staff here to be fairly friendly, and considering some of the other pubs in the area that is a real bonus!

Good food too! :)

The Audley - Nice pub but nothing special by ClaireN

ClaireN — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 21:37:17 +0000

Review by ClaireN

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7499 1843

Tags: posh, food, relaxed

I ate here with a group of colleagues in January 2008. Being a bit early I settled in with a pint in the downstairs bar which was lively and full of young workers. All very pleasant, until the rest of our colleagues arrived and we were sent upstairs to the dining room. This was a dark and formal looking room, and worst of all it was completely empty apart from our group.
The food was perfectly OK, if only bog-standard London pub grub fare, and somewhat overpriced. The Polish waitress was delightfully friendly, but she still hadn't grasped the norms of English pub food, so ordering was somewhat painful and long. Her good natured manner helped off-set the wait though, as did the Bombardier on tap.
I wouldn't go out of my way to eat here, to be honest, but if I did find myself in the area again I'd try to get a seat to eat downstairs, where people seemed to be having fun.I ate here with a group of colleagues in January 2008. Being a bit early I settled in with a pint in the downstairs bar which was lively and full of young workers. All very pleasant, until the rest of our colleagues arrived and we were sent upstairs to the dining room. This was a dark and formal looking room, and worst of all it was completely empty apart from our group.
The food was perfectly OK, if only bog-standard London pub grub fare, and somewhat overpriced. The Polish waitress was delightfully friendly, but she still hadn't grasped the norms of English pub food, so ordering was somewhat painful and long. Her good natured manner helped off-set the wait though, as did the Bombardier on tap.
I wouldn't go out of my way to eat here, to be honest, but if I did find myself in the area again I'd try to get a seat to eat downstairs, where people seemed to be having fun.

Mahiki - Drinks are amazing! by DanniLou85

DanniLou85 — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 23:42:05 +0000

Review by DanniLou85

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7493 9529

Website: http://www.mahiki.com

Tags: pop, posh, glamorous

Ok, well I'm a poor first-job graduate living in London with very little money BUT I had a great night out at Mahiki recently!

I thought it would be really pretentious but was surprised that there was no guest list, the manager introduced himself and bought me and my friend drinks and I got chatting to Princess Beatrice! Paid Â£10 entry, Â£9 for a cocktail and after that the night was free as people are so willing to buy drinks. Not stupid enough to think people are that nice, but the clientel were generally drunk and rich!

People such as Paris Hilton, Cheeky Girls, Chelsea footballers, royalty - they all visit and it seems to be one of the 'it' places to go. It's definitely worth an occasional visit for the fantastic cocktails and memorable evening but I won't be a regular...Ok, well I'm a poor first-job graduate living in London with very little money BUT I had a great night out at Mahiki recently!

I thought it would be really pretentious but was surprised that there was no guest list, the manager introduced himself and bought me and my friend drinks and I got chatting to Princess Beatrice! Paid Â£10 entry, Â£9 for a cocktail and after that the night was free as people are so willing to buy drinks. Not stupid enough to think people are that nice, but the clientel were generally drunk and rich!

People such as Paris Hilton, Cheeky Girls, Chelsea footballers, royalty - they all visit and it seems to be one of the 'it' places to go. It's definitely worth an occasional visit for the fantastic cocktails and memorable evening but I won't be a regular...

Claridge's Bar - Best bar in London by chrisp

chrisp — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 14:01:07 +0000

Review by chrisp

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7629 8860

Website: http://www.savoy-group.co.uk/claridges/claridges.html

Tags: cool & smart, mature, posh

A short waddle away from Bond Street is Claridges Hotel, where we decided to entertain ourselves with a Â£14 cocktail each before the long journey home. This is a spectacularly impressive place, from the art deco grandeur of the lobby to the intimate plush luxury of the Bar, where every drink is exquisitely prepared and the gorgeous homemade nibbles delivered by faultless service. On this occasion I had something called a Barb Wire (for such a classy place, they have a slightly worrying habit of naming cocktails after Pamela Anderson vehicles. Another item on the menu was Bay Watch). The moral of this story is, you get what you pay for - my drink consisted of fresh rhubarb and Chambord with vodka and lemon juice. It was superb. Overpriced is a state of mind.A short waddle away from Bond Street is Claridges Hotel, where we decided to entertain ourselves with a Â£14 cocktail each before the long journey home. This is a spectacularly impressive place, from the art deco grandeur of the lobby to the intimate plush luxury of the Bar, where every drink is exquisitely prepared and the gorgeous homemade nibbles delivered by faultless service. On this occasion I had something called a Barb Wire (for such a classy place, they have a slightly worrying habit of naming cocktails after Pamela Anderson vehicles. Another item on the menu was Bay Watch). The moral of this story is, you get what you pay for - my drink consisted of fresh rhubarb and Chambord with vodka and lemon juice. It was superb. Overpriced is a state of mind.

Henry's Cafe Bar - great food and atmosphere by Samms

Samms — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 09:41:10 +0000

Review by Samms

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7491 2544

Tags: international, lively, romantic

I have now been to Henry's a couple of times and it just seems to get betetr each time.
Took my work mate for lunch and I must say that their food is to die for! We also had a couple of amazing cocktails (hopefully my boss wont read this;), especially the Mojito was so nice.

Definately recomend this place.I have now been to Henry's a couple of times and it just seems to get betetr each time.
Took my work mate for lunch and I must say that their food is to die for! We also had a couple of amazing cocktails (hopefully my boss wont read this;), especially the Mojito was so nice.

Definately recomend this place.

5th View Bar & Food - A bar with a true view by anjali28

anjali28 — Fri, 23 May 2008 19:32:58 +0000

Review by anjali28

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7851 2433

Website: http://www.5thview.co.uk

Tags: cocktails, business, piccadilly

The view in this place is awesome. It really is. Try to get a place by the window, and you'll never regret it. It's a comfortable place, with varied seating - a bit away from the window area, you have sofas as well as tables for larger groups to suit all kinds of parties/people. That's the quieter area, useful for business meetings. The area nearer the window has louder music.

One thing - if you happen to want coffee there after around 7.30 PM - don't ask. They don't serve coffee after that time. Go straight for the alcohol!!The view in this place is awesome. It really is. Try to get a place by the window, and you'll never regret it. It's a comfortable place, with varied seating - a bit away from the window area, you have sofas as well as tables for larger groups to suit all kinds of parties/people. That's the quieter area, useful for business meetings. The area nearer the window has louder music.

One thing - if you happen to want coffee there after around 7.30 PM - don't ask. They don't serve coffee after that time. Go straight for the alcohol!!

Absolut Icebar - A Great Start To A Night Out! by ablair9999

ablair9999 — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 14:30:49 +0000

Review by ablair9999

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7287 9192

Website: http://www.belowzerolondon.com

Tags: sexy, cool & smart, relaxed

The Absolut Icebar is a fantastic place to take people if you want to show them something different and provide a bit of a talking point! I've been a couple of times and am off again tomorrow - I'm taking my dad for his 60th Birthday before we go out for dinner!

Sure it's a gimick, sure it's different, and it sure is cold! It is also fun, unusual and a great place to try some fab vodka cocktails.

It's kept at 5 degrees below as the bar, tables, walls, sculptures and glases are all made from crystal clear ice from the Torne River. They do however provide the aforementioned thermal gloves and hi-tec silver thermal ponchos - just as well too!

The entry fee does include the clothing and your first drink. Refills are around Â£7 each, but as you are limited to 40 minutes (due to the temperature) you would be hard pressed to run up a massive bar bill unless you really go for it!

It is small, and they do limit numbers of visitors, so book in advance to be sure you get in. As I said at the begining, it's a great place to start the evening. Enjoy!

Added 03-04-08

We went again last night. Still fantastic and still a great start to the evening. It was very busy, so definately prebook. Entry price (including 1st drink) was Â£12 with refills at Â£6 each. They had changed the interior (they redesign every 6 months)but still great - spot the John Travolta ice statue! Yes - it's a disco theme! The Absolut Icebar is a fantastic place to take people if you want to show them something different and provide a bit of a talking point! I've been a couple of times and am off again tomorrow - I'm taking my dad for his 60th Birthday before we go out for dinner!

Sure it's a gimick, sure it's different, and it sure is cold! It is also fun, unusual and a great place to try some fab vodka cocktails.

It's kept at 5 degrees below as the bar, tables, walls, sculptures and glases are all made from crystal clear ice from the Torne River. They do however provide the aforementioned thermal gloves and hi-tec silver thermal ponchos - just as well too!

The entry fee does include the clothing and your first drink. Refills are around Â£7 each, but as you are limited to 40 minutes (due to the temperature) you would be hard pressed to run up a massive bar bill unless you really go for it!

It is small, and they do limit numbers of visitors, so book in advance to be sure you get in. As I said at the begining, it's a great place to start the evening. Enjoy!

Added 03-04-08

We went again last night. Still fantastic and still a great start to the evening. It was very busy, so definately prebook. Entry price (including 1st drink) was Â£12 with refills at Â£6 each. They had changed the interior (they redesign every 6 months)but still great - spot the John Travolta ice statue! Yes - it's a disco theme!

Burlington Arms - My best work local by NickR

NickR — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 23:13:43 +0000

Review by NickR

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7479 7620

Website: http://www.burlingtonarms.com

Tags: food, real ale

The Burlington has a no nonsense small downstairs that soon gets busy and packed with atmosphere. Tables outside (heaters in the winter) are often taken advantage of. If it gets a bit too crowded then you can usually get some seats in the quieter upstairs that also has its own bar.
The staff are really professional, have great attitude and help the pub have a better than normal atmosphere.
I have only eaten there once and the burger I got was very good. I can recommend this good example of what a british pub should be.The Burlington has a no nonsense small downstairs that soon gets busy and packed with atmosphere. Tables outside (heaters in the winter) are often taken advantage of. If it gets a bit too crowded then you can usually get some seats in the quieter upstairs that also has its own bar.
The staff are really professional, have great attitude and help the pub have a better than normal atmosphere.
I have only eaten there once and the burger I got was very good. I can recommend this good example of what a british pub should be.