10 Air Street,
Piccadilly,
London,
W1B 5AB
(020) 7734 9990
The ViewLondon Review
This hot Piccadilly private members club might be able to entice, but is exclusivity and a fancy cocktail list enough to last in London?The VenueJust beyond the hustle and bustle of Piccadilly Circus lies the discreetly marked private members club, Dolce London. Once you confirm your private membership or VIP status with the no-nonsense doorman you can saunter on through the darkened entryway (not before paying a hefty cover charge - exclusivity is expensive) into the eagerly anticipated main room.
Around the perimeter of the room lies sleek black leather couches and chaises adorned with plush Dolce London embroidered pillows. However, the senses are quickly perplexed as the attempt at luxurious extravagance is sharply interrupted by indiscriminate modern touches. Red strip lights are used to brighten raised areas of the shiny black floor, and a white glowing platform of steps (with a rather obvious taped-down floor cable lighting it) is staged in the centre of the room. This becomes an awkward dancing podium as the night progresses and the revellers let loose with the effects of liquid courage. Also located centrally is a podium for the bongo drum player. Add a random scattering of busts, patterned curtains, baroque mirrors, chandeliers, and gothic red lamp shades and this club leans slightly more towards tacky than funky.
Despite the confused Versace-esque decor, this place gets packed and celebrities have already started using the venue for private events. From designer fashion parties to Rihanna’s birthday party, this club has already bagged some of the glitterati.
The AtmosphereDolce London brings in a varied mix of stylish young professionals and not-so-stylish Eurotrash. Despite the private member stigma, people here seem to lack the expected pretentious attitudes, and instead drink, mingle and dance. The DJ plays decent dance music, which is complimented by sets of live bongo playing.
The DrinkThe cocktail menu looks scrumptious, but you may find that some of the cocktails can’t be made due to lack of key ingredients. One of their signature cocktails, La Dolce Vita, shakes tequila, mint, passionfruit and gomme and is crowned with Champagne. Although it tastes lovely, it is mistakenly served in a wine glass, which disappoints when you are paying £14 a pop.
Cider House Rules (£12) is another tasty concoction that mixes Calvados, liquor de Calvados, lime juice, apple juice, bitters, and gomme. Specialty shots (£7) include Crack Baby, which shakes vodka, chambord, and fresh passion fruit of over ice and is topped with a splash of Champagne. Those looking for a glamorous take on a pitcher of Pimms and lemonade can indulge in a Pimms Grand Royal (£150), which builds Pimms No 1 Cup, Champagne, strawberries, cherries, cucumber, mint leaves and lemon over ice in a three litre brandy goblet.
The Last WordExclusive, expensive, borderline gaudy and very much in demand – Dolce London is the new cool kid on the block, but it might not be as sweet as its name suggests.