Fashionably exclusive with a very strict door policy, Runway is a recent arrival on the scene but it has already cut a space for itself as potential celebrity haunt and a good spot for partying to a soundtrack of house music.

The Venue
The club takes its name from the neon catwalk, which stretches from the entrance to the bar. Lots of the dancing centres on this luminous strip, although the club seems to be constantly moving and vibrating to the music in any corner available. On both sides there are booths and seats, from where you can place an order for your table. On the back wall a stylish damask pattern adds a touch of mystique to the space, which is generally rather dark and only lit with minimal spots of colour. The designers of Runway have played some ingenious cards, whilst still keeping a few aces up their sleeve.

The L-shaped venue culminates in a secluded area protected by bouncers. If the ultra-violet light shows a VIP stamp on your wrist, then you are in, otherwise forget about it. In the VIP there are mini-matrixes of light on the walls, in a space which is otherwise lined with white marble for a clinical yet sophisticated effect. Even the floor has been illuminated by strips of light. The most stunning feature, though, is the seclusion granted by two glass walls on which water continuously streams down, preventing onlookers from spying into the VIP area. This keeps the identity and moves of those lucky enough to be allowed in nicely private.

The Atmosphere
Runway is just as busy inside as it is outside. On a rainy Saturday night expect to see a long queue of people…on the guestlist! The club seems to work on a strict member, guest or table basis, and such exclusivity means that there’s a no shortage in the amount of people who want to be part of Runway’s inner circle. The checks at the entrance are tight and you have to pass through stone-faced security guards, bouncers and door staff before getting inside. The wait is worth it, though: inside, the crowd is uniformly dressed-up and keen to dance, party and have the best time possible. For girls, short dresses, done-up hair and high heels are de riguer, while boys wear blazers and experiment with the on-trend nerd look (thick-rimmed glasses, a short-sleeved shirt and a tie) or go for a sporty chic look. The aesthetics at Runway are important: at the end of the day the club takes its name from the fashion world. Hence, dress to impress or you may feel out of place.

The Music
House and cleverly remixed commercial chart songs make up the music at Runway. Undoubtedly the crowd enjoy the tunes. You only need to take one look at the amount of dancing and grinding happening on the fashionable runway for proof. Literally, nobody stands still, a rare occurrence in London and something that speaks volume about how enjoyable the music is.

The Drink
As you might expect, the drink list is not for those on a budget. The prices are for table service and the first item listed is Champagne, which goes from a moderate £80 for a bottle of Moet Chandon to an exuberant £520 for Armand De Brignac Ace Of Spades. If your benchmark is Louis Roederer Cristal, a bottle is priced at £500. And if you want to pop corks like a mega-rich rap star, the exorbitant £11,500 for a bottle of jeroboam (double magnum) Dom Perignon Vintage Rose from 1996, makes the Armand De Brignac Methuselah (equivalent to eight bottles) look like good value for money at £35,000. It’s no wonder that every Champagne bottle above £5000 must be pre-ordered with a 20% deposit.

Vodka bottles are sold in the same sizes as Champagne. You can pick from a standard 70cl of Wyborowa Exquisite, Ultimat, Snow Queen and many others (£160-£350). Go for a magnum (150cl for £380-£450) or splash out on a Jeroboam (3 litres for £900-£1200). Other spirits are similarly priced at £160-£2500, whilst a JD and Coke will set you back about a tenner.

If there is no party like a cocktail party, pick from the giant Martinis (£200) made with high-end vodkas. Some of the options include On the Runway (golden rum, apple liqueur, green tea cordial and lime), Lady Cherrie (cherry vodka, chocolate liqueur, passion and apple juice) and a couple of others. More moderate versions come in the form of 100ml shooters (£11), like the Spicy Pussy Cat (chilli-infused vodka, creme de framboise, fresh raspberries and sugar) or Runway Tornado (tequila, Chambord and Moet Chandon).

Need something humbler and cheaper? Soft drinks are priced at £4 for a single Red Bull, £8 for a jug of juice and £6 for a bottle of water. Best of all? Bottles delivered to your table come with a large sparkler set on fire at the bar, which leave a trail of light that means, if only for a split-second, all eyes are on you.

The Last Word
If you’re a fan of clubs like Maddox, Mo*vida and Jalouse, then you’ll want to try the latest glitzy hangout - Runway. This club is worth incorporating in your usual tour of the high-end London venues, but make sure you dress to impress, possess a credit card with a healthy limit and nail your catwalk strut for that all-important walk-off.

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