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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

Recommendations for Insta-worthy London bars/restaurants for DD’s 18th birthday

32 replies

PrettyCherryBlossom · 23/03/2026 16:34

DD is celebrating her 18th birthday in early July and she’s asked to go to London to celebrate. It will be me, DH, DD and DS (21) and we’ll be there from Friday lunchtime until Sunday late afternoon.

We have tickets for a show on the Saturday evening and she has lots of ideas for the daytimes. We don’t get to London very often so I’m looking for ideas for nice bars and restaurants (or an experience) to celebrate her actual birthday on the Friday.

Something instagram worthy (typical teen!) - she’s a girly girl who likes cocktails. Budget is £100pp for food (drinks on top and happy to pay more for something extra special).

thank you!!

OP posts:
archieshepp · 24/03/2026 06:53

Teens do love the Big Mamma group (as others have said above) but the food is truly awful but the vibes, aesthetic and, actually, the service are really good for what you want.

I took my daughter here when we were in town last week and had a really nice time - the cocktail bar downstairs is really lovely - https://www.barlina.co.uk/soho.

My DD and her friends also really like Ivy Asia - https://theivyasia.com/asian-food-near-me/asian-restaurants-london/the-ivy-asia-chelsea/

The Ivy Asia Chelsea - Asian Restaurant Chelsea

Join us at The Ivy Asia Chelsea, the best asian restaurant Chelsea has to offer. Available for lunch and dinner, book your table with us today.

https://theivyasia.com/asian-food-near-me/asian-restaurants-london/the-ivy-asia-chelsea/

Original poster
PrettyCherryBlossom · 25/03/2026 20:39

Thank you all for these fab suggestions! 👏

OP posts:
Echobelly · 25/03/2026 21:23

ScoobyDoesnt · 23/03/2026 21:01

For cocktails I highly recommend Cahoots Postal Office in Borough near London Bridge. They have others too, but I’ve only been to this one, it’s a fabulous overall experience!

Oh is it good? I sometimes walk past it at lunchtime but I'm not that often in the area in the evening

Giddykiddy · 26/03/2026 09:55

hahabahbag · 23/03/2026 16:53

I know you said cocktails but I would have a visit to Gordon’s on the embankment if you like wine, it’s sort of underground built into the hill, really old (my mum used to drink there in the 60’s) and atmospheric. I think you can book a table these days, and they used to have goods food options like cheese boards and antipasti which work on Instagram, been too busy to get in the last few times I’ve tried (I’m too disorganised to book and never used to need to)

Gordon's is nice for an old lady like me but as it's old and stuffy and underground not to mention wine focused it's possibly the last place i'd recommend for an insta friendly 18th

archieshepp · 26/03/2026 15:32

Also queues for Gordons are insane.

Poobs2022 · 26/03/2026 21:19

Sushi samba for sure

Chloejhxx · 27/03/2026 16:16

I would highly recommend The Secret Garden Bar at the South Place Hotel in London! It is extremely Instagrammable and they serve bespokse seasonal cocktails which taste amazing! Olive Magazine are currently running a free competition to win a stay and a meal at the Hotel for Easter, but you're able to go to the bar/ restaurant even if you're not a hotel guest as long as you book in advance (we didn't stop at the hotel but it looked really nice).

Secret Garden Bar | Rooftop Bars London | South Place Hotel London

The Secret Garden rooftop bar at South Place Hotel is a tranquil London haven with a retractable roof for year-round tropics.

https://southplacehotel.com/eat-and-drink/secret-garden/

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