Zero Aldwych,
Covent Garden,
London,
WC2E 7DN
0871 971 5836
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CellarDoor
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Seductively superb venue that is intimate and friendly. Every member of staff was lovely from the doorman to the bar staff and the acts that performed. The cocktails are amazing and the flair and finesse that is executed when preparing one is fab!! Combine this with endless free popcorn and great snuff and you will experience a fabulous unique evening.I am going back soon as I would like to try every single delicious cocktail...every one should go even if its just to experience the unusual toilets...but you can discover this little gem for yourselves!!!
Had another wonderful evening at the CD, would like to extend our invitation to owner Paul Kohler to ring us up when in NYC as we certainly will extend our gracious local hospitality in kind. Looking forward with great anticipation to our next visit to London. MC.
Stopped by yesterday afternoon following our traditional Thanksgiving Day dinner here in London, yes we are yanks, and quite accustomed to the bars and more than bizarre culture of NYC. Being said, XYL and I had a great time, found the staff excellent, the barmen friendly and very experienced, actually artists. The decor is unique as every square inch is well designed. We shall return. Michael S Corrado
Not quite sure what to expect for an anniversary weekend event, but my husband & I were not disappointed. Great venue for making friends - and we did. We were entertained by Hannah on vocals & James on the keyboard & a great burlesque dancer.
We had champagne on arrival, watched the show (& joined in!), then we had a go at Roulette with our own croupier & then it was time for a beautiful afternoon tea. Then there was more entertainment, & more for us to join in with.
We were really well looked after; & when I knocked my champagne glass over & broke it it was cleared up & refilled in seconds.
We would recommend this club to anyone; great place, great fun
After reading some of the reviews below about an apparently rude bar tender, we were slightly concerned about visiting. However, my wife and I visited on Thursday 28th July and had an amazing time.
We got there at 7pm so we could get a table and we managed to get the table at the bar. The bar tenders were fabulous at their job. We eventually left about 11.30 having sampled a wide range of cocktails from the Moscow Mule to the 31st Century Child Snatcher. We also tried the Candie Cane snuff, which was great fun. It was bizarre snorting a line of white powder while supping cocktails. The lady who was serving the tables was rushed off her feet but did a fabulous job serving us. We think we had 8 bowls of complimentary popcorn and despite it being busy were never left long without an empty glass.
I can see what some people are saying about the barmen being slightly moody, but I think it's been misinterpreted as being rude. They certainly weren't rude, very polite in fact, but yes, they don't smile too often. It certainly didn't effect our visit, we thought they were great and keen to offer us advice on cocktails. It can take some time to get served, but then it's nothing we didn't expect - they are making fresh cocktails after all.
The venue is so different to what we've experienced before. It's really snug and as a result you can't help but chat to other people, which is great. The cabaret was a real laugh and she was great singer. The fact that you had to brush past her to get the toilet gives you an idea of the intimacy of the place. The singers also mingled with the crowd during sets.
We spent a small fortune here, but it was worth it for the experience and wouldn't hesitate coming back for more. It's just cool to drink cocktails, snort snuff and listen to some great entertainers.
Thanks for the good time
xx
Small but perfectly formed!Me and a friend went for the CellarDoor Burlesque class last Saturday and followed it up with their Shanghai Tea show, and all I can say is Wow!We descended into a decadent boudoir, with some of the funkiest toilets I have ever seen, we were greeted by friendly bar-staff (and a free glass of bubbly). Immediately we were made to feel at home and that nothing was too much trouble.Our class was brilliant, we learned basic showgirl poses, before moving onto things like stripping gloves off with the greatest of tease, our teacher Ms Vicious Delicious was funny, witty and knew her burlesque!The afternoon show was great, the club suddenly filled up with people, but as we suspected the bar staff kept up their friendly, approachable manner and kept everyone well stocked with drinks (highly recommend the Mandarin one!), sandwiches, and cupcakes An afternoon of Black Jack, snuff, champers and burlesque ensued, just beware when you emerge afterwards - its a bit of a shock ascending into the sunlight at 5pm.Can't wait to back!!!
After working close to CellarDoor for a long time now I finally decided to see what it was like. I thought the place was great and it had a very intimate feeling. My housemates and I went tonight (Tuesday) and really enjoyed the open mic night. I didn’t feel pressurised to get up and sing and was comfortable to support the singers. However I was really disappointed with the rudeness of the bar tender. It seemed like he looked down at my friends and I just because I asked for a cocktail menu. And wasn't particularly helpful when asking him questions. I am shocked that after seeing reviews on here it is not only I who has seemed to have problems with this particular bar tender (tall with glasses). Obviously he hasn't improved his attitude. It's a shame as having a nice and helpful bartender really makes a small and unique place like CellarDoor. I just hope next time I go I will be served by someone else.
nice bar but the staff were so rude. If you are paying that amount for a drink the least you deserve is someone to be polite to you. I wont be going back.
Visited Cellar door
Saturday 16th July
Interesting bar very small but funky
shame about the bar staff need to learn some manners
tall guy with the glasses BAD attitude !! which would make me
think twice about going back
SHAME.....
visited Cellar door on 18th February for a birthday night out. Paid in advance for guaranteed entry (£22) which was a waste of time. I turned up at 7.30pm and no one was on the door so my pre paid e mail was useless. Had to ask for my 'bubbles'. The venue whilst smaller than i had expected was more or less what it said it was and i did get a seat. As the night wore on thought there was no restriction to anyone getting in and the place ended up mobbed with peopl,e standing amongst the tables....again what was the point of the pre pay?
The man on the keyboard was excellent and he started off although was quickly joined by Vicious Delicious. This part i thought was a total let down. She could sing and she is an entertainer, however billed as 'Friday Follies' with a burlesque theme, it felt just like a bog standard cabaret singer.
Would not go back nor recommend.
Having seen a couple of negative reviews here I was a bit wary about going. I'd booked for myself and six friends and I had worked out a plan B just in case it was rubbish!
I needn't have worried. We all LOVED this place. I don't think I have ever been served by more helpful and friendly bar staff they treated us like old friends.
Kitty and Nick (the cabaret) were brilliant. High octane Sinatra meets Radiohead, hugely entertaining.
We arrived at 6:30, stayed til eleven and had a wonderful time and will definitely go again.
THANK YOU!
I have been going to the Cellar Door for almost a year now on and off and I think the magic is now fading.
The drinks are great, the crowd are wonderful but someone needs to give the bar tender a lesson in customer service. I don't expect to be your best friend, but I expect someone to be polite to me when I am polite to them. Hell, i'm paying £9 for a drink, not scowling at me would be a bonus. The first time I put it down to a bad day, but the second time a week later makes me think this is a character trait. Very disappointed and I doubt we will be coming back.
I have been a few times and absolutely loved it. The cocktails are so different and very moreish. The staff are all lovely, expecially the Manager Jay, I found him so helpful, he asked me what type of spirits I liked and proceeded to make me the most delicious cocktail I have ever tasted.
The atmosphere was brilliant.
I strongly recommend a visit to this very friendly and intimate bar .
Suzy
As I walked in, it was completely empty but then again me and my friend went there at 5.30pm but i have to say i really loved this place. The cocktails were different and the barman was nice as he brought us drinks at the table. I would definitely go back there. Its very small but the decor gives the impression that its a spacious place. Very retro and the reviewers that said this is a treasure are absolutely spot on. Amazing. Specially the strawberry champagne drink.
I've been a couple of times to CellarDoor and really loved it - the intimacy, the eclectic mix of performers, the cocktails. However, I will not be returning because of the extreme rudeness of the staff.
The waitresses are genuinely helpful, but the bar-tender (manager?) was extremely obnoxious. I was pushed to choose a brand of gin for my cocktail after saying that I didn't mind, and then informed that my choice was not appropriate for the drink. I was then informed that my choice of garnish was incorrect. Cocktail snobbery was not welcome.
Later on (and separately), a friend ordered "5 beers, please". The barman apparently didn't hear the "please" and proceeded to spend 3 or 4 minutes asking for the "magic word". My friend, a genuinely nice bloke, was extremely confused and apologised when he realised what the barman was asking, whilst attempting to explain that he was certain that he had said "please". In any case, this kind of attitude was really unwelcome, and we eventually told him that we thought he had been pretty rude.
His response was to ban us both from the bar!
* I have also posted this comment on Google map reviews *
andy-london
went with my partner on thursday night,,never been there before.,
but we loved it.,this place is samll ,but we enjoyed it,everyones was lovley, polite and friendly ,from the doorman to the bar staff,.and there was a live music that i recommend it to everybody to go and see it on thursday nights.
will go there again
I love this tiny bar! I've been a few times before and love the quirky atmosphere.For such a dinky place it's got alot of character.Great live music that lends the bar a theatrical air and matches the stylish decor and you can expect a sophisticated but unpretentious crowd. Best of all, if you doubt that toilets can be sexy take a peek at these!!
We just hired it out for our Xmas party and it was perfect even if it did feel a little crowded.Cocktails to die for and the bar staff are swift and friendly and really know their stuff.Thanks guys.My advice is to book it quick if you want to hire it for xmas/new year.
I agree with another reviewer who said you feel like you're sharing a secret you don't really want to share by reviewing this bar.
Went on a Fri night about 6.30 and had a few cocktails. You definitely do feel like you're at a private party.
Was surprised at the bill, expected it to be a lot more but then discovered before 8 there's 30% off.
Waitress was lovely and the music was brilliant. Cocktails were made with fresh ingredients and the whole place felt really decadent.
Left to get something to eat then came back about 9ish but still managed to get a seat. There was a lady singing and you did feel like you were in a speakeasy or an old classic film.
We tried about 12 different cocktails (next morning we realised the Donnie Darko was probably one too many) but they were all so nice we just had to keep going through the menu.
Will definitely go back again. I love Paris for it's culture and the fact you can smell the history and creativity in the air and it's amazing literary feel to the cafes and this reminded me of being there - felt like an underground Les Deux Magots.
Something special that everyone with an appreciation for sipping freshly mixed, high quality cocktails in a speakeasy/lounge bar style atmosphere should try.
I'm afraid this place is awful - it is tiny, and can only hold about 20 people maximum.
I went there on a Tuesday evening, and there was a drunk American at the bar, and a girl who was utterly plastered.
Bar staff were OK I suppose, but my girl and I left after about 20 minutes.
Cellar Door is so special one almost doesn't want to write a review for fear of encouraging even more people to go there. It's like finding a secret treasure chest full of sparkling gems that one wants to keep to oneself. Down an almost missable staircase in the pavement, you find yourself in the tiniest but one of the coolest bars in London. The decor is decadent, the entertainment entertaining, the snuff is snortable (!!) and the cocktails are just divine. Because it's so intimate, you can't help but feel you're part of a private party, which adds to the sociable vibe of the place, and you come away feeling you've spent the evening with friends - which is no mean feat in the city centre !!
Just great...
While the cocktails and service are reason enough to visit, the atmosphere at CellarDoor is by far the highlight. Sexy and secluded, the bar may be tiny but its intimate size only adds to the appeal. Live jazz and cabaret later in the evening transforms a cool and seductive space into a vivacious and informal stage.
The sublimely designed decor shows CellarDoor's penchant for detail. From kiss me/lick me bar stools to transparent toilet doors (that frost over at the turn of the lock for the modest amongst us), every inch of the bar has had a lavish style treatment.
On top of all this, the sixty person capacity is perfect for private parties. Unlike most other central london bars, CellarDoor won't shunt you aside to an area, but will rather offer up the entire space with the full bar and staff to serve just your party. What more could you ask for?
Fab, fab, fab. The Cellardoor offers live music at its best. Friendly staff, unique furnishings and a little bit of cheek too (especially the toilets - go and see for yourself). Not to be missed.
Went to this 'hole in the ground' last night. Aside from there being no cabaret and the place being full of drunken 18 year olds, half of whom looked like they were about to vomit, this place lives up to the reviews.
Over priced drinks, air conditioning turned off, and unhelpful manager.
Don't waste your money.
The Cellar Door is a very odd little creation - you literally go down into the pavement to get in. Inside it's just as odd but there's a wicked '30s theme and some excellent jazz playing. Don't be put off by Cellar Door's cellar door entry - this place is a little gem.
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