http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/bar-pub/1e16z72/5th-view-bar-and-food <b>5th View Bar & Food</b><br />London, 203 - 206 Piccadilly, W1J 9HA, United Kingdom en http://trustedplaces.com/uploads/placepics/trustedplaces.comaPlacePic['name']}.140.jpg http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/bar-pub/1e16z72/5th-view-bar-and-food http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/bar-pub/1e16z72/5th-view-bar-and-food/1239q8
Review by anjali28

Rating: 4.00
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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!!]]> Fri, 23 May 2008 19:32:58 +0000 /review/uk/london/bar-pub/1e16z72/5th-view-bar-and-food/1239q8881115463 anjali28 51.507311 -0.141707 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/bar-pub/1e16z72/5th-view-bar-and-food/1d77e7
Review by VictoriaR

Rating: 3.00
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The name of this place is rather misleading, since the 'view' is really only visible if you're on one of the five or so tables by the long windows; even then, it's not THE most spectacular one in London, being mainly over the back of a lot of buildings, with some landmarks somewhere in the distance. If you manage to get a table at all after six o'clock, you're doing pretty well - the crush can be mighty between six and eight, after which it thins out, but since the bar shuts at ten, it's not a place to settle into for the evening.

That said, 5th View is a very handy bar to know about in this part of town, especially as a base to meet friends for a quick drink before moving on elsewhere in the West End. It's smart without being off-putting, service is quick, and being off the tourist radar, it has quite a cool 'in the know' vibe. The cocktails are good and aren't bad value for the area. Plus, if you're early, you can browse amongst the art books. I've never eaten here, so can't comment on the food, but the wine list has rarely disappointed.]]> Sun, 02 Mar 2008 17:58:03 +0000 /review/uk/london/bar-pub/1e16z72/5th-view-bar-and-food/1d77e7148425273 VictoriaR 51.507311 -0.141707 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/bar-pub/1e16z72/5th-view-bar-and-food/1h5677
Review by sizemore

Rating: 4.00
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It's atop Waterstones which is handy, but the prices are a tad steep.

The cocktails are great though, and most come with a literary theme.

Well worth a single drink (or two if you feel plush) ]]> Fri, 04 Jan 2008 14:09:34 +0000 /review/uk/london/bar-pub/1e16z72/5th-view-bar-and-food/1h56771228885068 sizemore 51.507311 -0.141707 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/bar-pub/1e16z72/5th-view-bar-and-food/1e4687
Review by neilgrayshon

Rating: 3.00
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If you're looking for a view, try Skylon instead.

The food here is fine and at the right price point for what's on offer, but don't expect any surprises. ]]> Sun, 30 Dec 2007 21:23:22 +0000 /review/uk/london/bar-pub/1e16z72/5th-view-bar-and-food/1e46871428983953 neilgrayshon 51.507311 -0.141707 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/bar-pub/1e16z72/5th-view-bar-and-food/1036z8
Review by Matt

Rating: 5.00
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Came here after reading a recommendation by Walid (Trusted places co-founder).

Enjoyed the view and a great meal and it appears they still have wi-fi because I'm using it right now!
]]> Thu, 06 Dec 2007 16:07:29 +0000 /review/uk/london/bar-pub/1e16z72/5th-view-bar-and-food/1036z8169800289 Matt 51.507311 -0.141707 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/bar-pub/1e16z72/5th-view-bar-and-food/1006l7
Review by whatleydude

Rating: 4.00
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If you're about and about in London and need a temporary 'base of operations' you can't go far wrong than this hidden gem which can be found on the 5th floor of Waterstones in Picadilly.

On top the view, the coffee and the food the 5th View Bar also offers free Wifi for the laptop carriers of you reading this.

The food isn't cheap, but I would've say it was over-expensive for this part of town.
Great place to settle if you've got an hour or two to kill between meetings.]]> Thu, 06 Dec 2007 10:54:23 +0000 /review/uk/london/bar-pub/1e16z72/5th-view-bar-and-food/1006l7714285662 whatleydude 51.507311 -0.141707 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/bar-pub/1e16z72/5th-view-bar-and-food/1395l7
Review by caffeinehit

Rating: 2.00
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The best thing about this place is the view and (was) the free wi-fi you could use whilst quaffing champagne (if you're that way inclined).

Without the wi-fi there's no quite the allure there was to go to this bar any more.]]> Wed, 17 Oct 2007 13:35:22 +0000 /review/uk/london/bar-pub/1e16z72/5th-view-bar-and-food/1395l7248116620 caffeinehit 51.507311 -0.141707 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/bar-pub/1e16z72/5th-view-bar-and-food/1y44g8
Review by sazzle

Rating: 2.00
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Adventures of the Peach Bellini Part 1

Have you tried it? Me neither. I didnâ¬"t order one actually, but the waiter decided to bring one over anyway. We told him that was the wrong order but he gave us an impatient look and set it down on the table. It looked up at us with pitiful peachy eyes, but we didnâ¬"t take a sip. The waiter eventually took it away and brought the right order. Weâ¬"d only been there about 20 minutes⬦

Adventures of the Peach Bellini Part 2

Second round of cocktails ordered (there are 5 thirsty girls in our group by now) and guess who turns up on the tray? Our friend, the blushing pink Bellini. Nope, we didnâ¬"t order it this time either. But the waiter told us we did. Obviously we were wrong and he was right. Three cocktails were missing or incorrect this time round, but it only took a further 10 minutes for the ones we had actually chosen to arrive, and for the sad deflated Ballerini to give her last twirl and leave the table. Bye Bye Bellini, and come back when somebody actually orders you.

The patatas fritas that arrived after the second time of asking were actually very tasty, and the (correct!) drinks were delicious, but at the end of our evening the bill needed amending three times. Guess who had turned up on it? That cheeky little Peach B. Twice.

Ok, deep breath, release the anger⬦ If I do go to 5th View again, it will be on a quiet afternoon when I want some perspective of the city. Iâ¬"ll sink into one of the window seats with my head buried in a book borrowed from the shelves, looking up occasionally to take in the view and sip from my large cup of coffee. That sounds nice doesnâ¬"t it? Once Iâ¬"m over last nightâ¬"s visit I might make another attempt.
]]> Thu, 11 Oct 2007 09:20:00 +0000 /review/uk/london/bar-pub/1e16z72/5th-view-bar-and-food/1y44g8398989324 sazzle 51.507311 -0.141707 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/bar-pub/1e16z72/5th-view-bar-and-food/1f23i8
Review by RenZephyr

Rating: 3.00
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There's nothing special about this place except location, it's central London and it's in a book shop - for a certain type of person that really is a perfect combination. I've left there legless and happy after Martinis, just call me Bond, oh, cept he never gets drunk does he.]]> Sun, 08 Jul 2007 18:25:56 +0000 /review/uk/london/bar-pub/1e16z72/5th-view-bar-and-food/1f23i81717673509 RenZephyr 51.507311 -0.141707 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/bar-pub/1e16z72/5th-view-bar-and-food/1x82u8
Review by london

Rating: 3.00
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So I was sitting there trying to figure out where to meet with a couple of clients so I thought why not try that place that everyone raves about on Trusted Places.....

It's located on the 5th floor of the Waterstones book shop building on Picadilly a real landmark building pretty close to Picadilly circus. Location - excellent!

I was lucky in that I managed to get a window seat, the view was full of London stuff - the eye, nelson, Battersea Power Station ... but there were a heck of a lot of rooftops in between - not exactly a classic view but certainally better than the one out of my house! View - good but not stunning.

Service was 'hands off' to be fair, it was quiet when we arrived and it got a lot busier as the meal progressed but regardless of the number of diners I always seemed to have hassle getting some attention - not unfriendly just a little disorganised. Service - could do better!

The food was varied and there was a good choice of interesting dishes. I had a bowl of lamb with cous cous it was pretty oily and a bit to salty for my taste so I didn't finish it. Food - good choice but on this occasion not great.

The free wifi wasn't working yesterday so sadly I couldn't log on whilst I was waiting for my colleagues but I am giving them the benefit of the doubt that it's just a one off technical hitch.

One final thing, the law is going to change soon so this may be a dated review pretty soon but I have a problem with people smoking when i'm trying to eat - I can understand it in a pub but I do think it's a really outmoded concept in a small hot restaurant so I marked them down for allowing that too.

Cost wasn't too bad for central London - about £60 inc tip for the 3 of us without alcohol.

So overall I wasn't thrilled with the experience. I think they should work on their organisation, a diner needs to feel as if they are being taken care of a bit better. I'm assuming from other reports on here that i'm in the minority as regards the mediocre meal and the menu does look like it's had thought put into it.

But I would probably go back there again if I needed to as compared to most restaurants in London it's not terrible.]]> Wed, 06 Jun 2007 19:15:33 +0000 /review/uk/london/bar-pub/1e16z72/5th-view-bar-and-food/1x82u8944027224 london 51.507311 -0.141707 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/bar-pub/1e16z72/5th-view-bar-and-food/1v2208
Review by mazzz

Rating: 4.00
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Good service, reasonable priced wine. Nice atmosphere.

View wasn't as great as I expected it to be and there aren't that many window seats.]]> Fri, 01 Jun 2007 12:36:18 +0000 /review/uk/london/bar-pub/1e16z72/5th-view-bar-and-food/1v2208540819494 mazzz 51.507311 -0.141707 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/bar-pub/1e16z72/5th-view-bar-and-food/1o3188
Review by ivanoats

Rating: 3.00
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I like this place - visiting from SF, it has been hard to find free wifi, comparatively. It has a great view. The service can be slow, and I didn't try the food, but the wifi works well.]]> Thu, 15 Mar 2007 16:08:52 +0000 /review/uk/london/bar-pub/1e16z72/5th-view-bar-and-food/1o3188628074052 ivanoats 51.507311 -0.141707 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/bar-pub/1e16z72/5th-view-bar-and-food/1771d8
Review by MikeinLondon

Rating: 3.00
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A Bar in a Bookshop.
Great Panorama view.
Drinks with a central London price tag.]]> Fri, 16 Feb 2007 23:33:09 +0000 /review/uk/london/bar-pub/1e16z72/5th-view-bar-and-food/1771d81432615087 MikeinLondon 51.507311 -0.141707 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/bar-pub/1e16z72/5th-view-bar-and-food/1n10s8
Review by alexandros

Rating: 4.00
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I've been to this place twice and I like it a lot. Nothing exceptional in terms of music, people or decoration, but the fact that it is a decent bar located 1 minute from Piccadilly Circus (and without any noisy tourists inside!) makes it remarkable.
On top of that, it has a great view of London, especially the London Eye, Big Ben and Houses of Parliament. I suppose the view combined with the fact that it is somehow very quite render it romantic as well! ]]> Mon, 04 Dec 2006 14:08:54 +0000 /review/uk/london/bar-pub/1e16z72/5th-view-bar-and-food/1n10s8288632663 alexandros 51.507311 -0.141707 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/bar-pub/1e16z72/5th-view-bar-and-food/1k50o8
Review by Mez

Rating: 4.00
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This one stands for Bar & Bookshop. It's perched on the top of Waterstones in Picadelly (2 mnts from Piccadilly station in front of the Meridian hotel). Went there today to meet a friend and loved the relaxed and airy atmosphere of the place. Its stylish side came through as the sun was setting.

This bar works for all sorts of occasions - a get together with friends, a relaxed date or a business meeting. If you happen to be without company, you can go there on your own and grab a book from the nearby shelf, or take your laptop and go crazy on the free WiFi and the-not-so free cocktails.]]> Fri, 10 Nov 2006 01:13:23 +0000 /review/uk/london/bar-pub/1e16z72/5th-view-bar-and-food/1k50o8218409983 Mez 51.507311 -0.141707