THE CLUB at THE IVY
9 West St, London WC2H 9NE
To get into this exclusive private members club above The Ivy Restaurant you either need to be a member yourself or know someone who can take you as a guest. Occupying three floors above the restaurant, rub shoulders with celebrities and British socialites in this beautifully decorated and atmospheric playground for London’s elite. There is generally live music, providing a loud and buzzy atmosphere on Friday and Saturday nights. The service is impeccable and there are plenty of nooks and crannies to melt into for more discreet conversations away from the bustling bar. Through a doorway masked as a florist, even the foyer, the glass elevator and gold stairs will have your tongue wagging about the evening to come. Better hurry up and find yourself some new friends to get onto the guest list for this place!
THE BREAKFAST CLUB
11 Southwark St, London SE1 1RQ
When my brother told me about this place, he warned me that people queued down the street to get a table for breakfast, and he wasn’t wrong! The Breakfast Club has chains all over London, but I visited the one at London Bridge, across from Borough Market. Once you’ve made your way to the front of the (obscene) queue, you’ll feel rewarded as you are shown to your seat in this funky and retro diner. The kitsch decor includes a shiny pink ceiling and “official” Pat Butcher memorabilia. The menu mixes English Breakfast classics like Bacon, Sausage Butty’s and The Full Monty, with American classics like Pancakes and Waffles served with Bacon and Maple Syrup. There is some healthier options to choose from too, but why would you? The super long queue certainly works up an appetite!
THE HAND AND FLOWERS
126 West St, Marlow SL7 2BP
What could be more British than enjoying Sunday lunch in a Michelin Star pub in a country town a mere 1.5hr drive out of Central London? The Hand and Flowers are proud to have become the first pub to receive two stars from the prestigious Michelin Guide. The menu consists of unpretentious dishes and portion sizes that are ‘just right’. Expect real British food, with a little French injection, and your taste buds will reach a whole new level of euphoria in this beautifully quaint and rustic dining room. This is the kind of place that really makes me miss living in England sometimes. Even if you are only in London for a few days, you won’t regret making a quick trip out to a country pub for the sheer experience and this is the place to go!
OXO TOWER
Oxo Tower Wharf, Barge House St, South Bank, London SE1 9PH
One of the most unique bars I have had the pleasure of visiting in London, the OXO Tower bar features a stylish and unique interior, and a rare outdoor seating area with expansive views over the river Thames. With St Paul’s and the City of London right across the river from you, sipping cocktails at sunset here is really a magical experience. There is also a restaurant and brasserie in the OXO Tower so you can really make a night of it. When I was a little girl, my Father and I used to play a game where we tried to count how many cranes we could see on the London skyline – a tradition that I have continued every time I have visited the OXO Tower since due to its prime viewing area. Give it a try when you’re there!
