Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
UK travel

Welcome to our UK travel forum where you can get advice on everything from holidays to exotic destinations, to tips on London travel.

Original poster

Birthday cocktails in central London

35 replies

elizabethcharlotte · 07/03/2023 18:35

We are going out for a family dinner soon to celebrate our dd's 18th birthday. Any suggestions for where to go for a cocktail before dinner? I was thinking of the Alchemist but you can't book for a Saturday.

OP posts:
user1477249785 · 07/03/2023 18:39

I'd either go to the American bar at the Savoy or Christopher's near Covent Garden.

blametheparents · 07/03/2023 18:41

Nightjar is fab, but Shoreditch and so I’m not sure if this works for you.
www.barnightjar.com/

TheOnlyAletheia · 07/03/2023 18:48

Swift in Soho

Summertimesunshineandfizz · 07/03/2023 19:06

Cahoots just off Carnaby Street is fun - a 40s style speakeasy in a disused tube station

Fivemoreminutes1 · 07/03/2023 19:12

14 Hills

Ohyoudodoyou · 07/03/2023 19:16

Disrepute.

slug · 07/03/2023 19:16

The Vault in Soho. Entrance is via a moveable bookcase at the back of Milroy's whisky shop.

tinytemper66 · 07/03/2023 19:50

Cahoots in Kingly Court.

tinytemper66 · 07/03/2023 19:50

Summertimesunshineandfizz · 07/03/2023 19:06

Cahoots just off Carnaby Street is fun - a 40s style speakeasy in a disused tube station

I agree. I love it there.

Original poster
elizabethcharlotte · 07/03/2023 21:12

Thank you so much. I'll take a look at all of these.

OP posts:
Original poster
elizabethcharlotte · 08/03/2023 22:04

I just went to book Cahoots but it's for over 21s. Do you think this is something they stick to?
I can't book a table at Savoy's American bar without staying there.
Any other ideas in the Soho and Covent Garden area?

OP posts:
TheOccupier · 08/03/2023 22:22

Where are you having dinner? Probably makes sense to stay in the same part of town.

Original poster
elizabethcharlotte · 08/03/2023 22:24

In Soho. Not far from Kingley court which was Cahoots was perfect!

OP posts:
Isthisanewme · 08/03/2023 22:52

Dirty martini in convent gardens was good. You can book a table as well

Verite1 · 08/03/2023 22:58

In soho - definitely disrepute. It’s an underground speakeasy bar. Great fun.

Verite1 · 08/03/2023 23:02

Actually I’m afraid that disrepute might be over 21 as well. How about Bar Termini on old Compton street?

BasiliskStare · 08/03/2023 23:46

Depending on what time you are having dinner you could risk walking into the Savoy American Bar & getting a table - I did go just for a cocktail ( not resident with DS at 18 ) - or just round the corner is Simpsons in the Strand. - a short walk from Covent Garden - some years ago I went to the Lobby Bar at one Aldwych - no idea what is like now

Other than that this is shamelessly googled which I am sure you have . www.designmynight.com/london/bars/soho/swift

BasiliskStare · 08/03/2023 23:48

@elizabethcharlotte - sorry I messed up that link - it shows only one place but if you take "swift " off the end it gives about 10 bars to look at nearby

Verite1 · 09/03/2023 08:03

Lobby bar in no one aldwych does the best cocktails in London (IMO), but there isn’t much atmosphere, particularly for an 18th.

SummaLuvin · 09/03/2023 13:00

I love SOMA in Soho, great drinks and great vibes. Used to be walk in only but might do bookings now?

DoesItHaveKosovo · 09/03/2023 13:03

Brasserie Zedel’s is in soho and quite good for cocktails

Oblomov23 · 09/03/2023 13:05

I didn't realise so many of them had an aged 21 restriction.

SummaLuvin · 09/03/2023 13:06

Another thought - I had an amazing dinner with cocktails at Sucre and they have since opened a dedicated bar Alma, I can't fully vouch for it but it could be well worth a go based on my experience at the restaurant.

StiggyZardust · 09/03/2023 13:58

Upstairs at Rules in Maiden Lane? Very old school and fancy.

Cinders15 · 09/03/2023 14:27

I second Rules - very sophisticated