167 Drury Lane,
Covent Garden,
London,
WC2B 5PG
0871 971 4691
The ViewLondon Review
Tamarai is a sexy jewel in the crown of Drury Lane. Walk through the tunnelled corridor to find a restaurant, bar and club combo for a night that offers a little bit of everything.The VenueTamarai is a beautifully presented venue that has it all without being a Jack of all trades. Something akin to an Aladdin’s Cave, as soon as you walk in you know you’ve found a treasure. Although it's three venues in one, it is kept open plan with each area opening out onto the next. The black wood and dark feel is transformed with the clever use of lighting and hints of bright pinks and purples. There's a large dancefloor where the DJ can be seen spinning out his tracks in a booth that’s incased in glass and several private hire areas. A beautifully presented bar and funky dining area complete the beautiful Tamarai and every box is quickly ticked.
The AtmosphereThe atmosphere changes as the night progresses but the overall feeling is brooding, hot and undeniably sexy. Before 10pm the bar and restaurant are the main focus. Early clubbers hang out in the private hire sections or in the limited but plush seating areas. The staff are friendly, although some of them suffer from the stress of trying to coordinate three venues in one and can be brusque in their manner.
Just be aware that the club starts to hot up from around 10.30-11pm, the music begins to pump and the hot girls and cool guys come out to play. If you’re trying to enjoy a nice meal and have a conversation then this is not the time to do so. Book in earlier, eat your fill and have some cocktails then move on to the club to avoid shouting over your dinner.
The MusicThe music at Tamarai is an excellent, uplifting selection of RnB and old school club classics. However, don’t expect a lot in the way of cheesy tunes here, instead there's a commercial mix of good music that quickly has everyone away from the tables and hitting the dancefloor. Unusually for an RnB club there is no attitude here, just like-minded, glamorous and unpretentious people all out to lap up the music, let loose and have a good time.
The FoodThe restaurant serves incredible Pan-Asian food of the highest quality. The dining area drips with sex appeal and is perfect for a party or funky twist on a romantic meal. You may not expect a bar and club to have a restaurant of this calibre on the premises, but the food served here could just as easily be served at a top restaurant. With everything from oysters and spring rolls to Dim Sum and sea bass, there is something for everyone and, although the menu isn’t extensive, it is nonetheless impressive.
The DrinkThe choice of drinks is diverse with a large range of premium spirits that you don’t find in just any old bar. The cocktails are quite pricey but won’t break the bank and there is a nice mix of the classics and a funky twist on some standard mixes.
Where this bar really shines though is the wine list. Winner of The Best Wine List in London, the choice is extensive and ranges from the reasonable to budget-blowing.
The Last WordTamarai is one hot venue. The restaurant, bar and club are all incredible, and if you hit each at the right time the movement through the evening is seamless. Just be sure not to dine too late.