In a city where high-flying people are always chasing the hottest places to party, it only takes one trip to Wyld before you realise this has fast become a favourite playground for the international jet set and celebrity crowd.

The Venue
Wyld is located right on the edge of Leicester Square, on the first floor of the W Hotel, an international hotel group who have luxury establishments everywhere from NYC to Sydney. They even had David Gandi and Helena Christensen star in the promo video for the London outpost. Yes, really. From the outside, it’s not immediately clear what this big white ‘ice cube’ shaped building is, but the sight of an enormous disco ball rotating round through a first floor window is a good clue as to where the action is.

The entrance is through the main hotel entrance. At the front door, you will find smartly dressed staff with clipboards and walkie talkies in hand, ready to usher those lucky enough to be on the guestlist inside. As the old rave song goes: 'If your name's not down you're not getting in'. Once inside, you are ushered straight into a swanky lift, which brings you to the first floor of the hotel. As soon as the lifts open you know you have arrived at Wyld. The bar's interior is very chic with its fountain of disco balls hanging from floor to ceiling, crème marble flooring, and plush leather seating.

The Atmosphere
The first area of Wyld is the main cocktail bar, where most of the clientele mingle. Here, a slightly pretentious crowd full of remarkably good-looking girls and smartly dressed fellas lounge around on leather banquettes, while bar staff mix cocktails behind the stylish curvy bar.

Continue down a long corridor by the side of the bar to what is arguably the best part of the venue – the VIP/club area. The hostess, standing with one or two bouncers, takes your name and, even if your name's supposed to be down, this isn't an easy door to pass through. Once inside, you are hit by a sea of red. With its double height ceilings and a huge 3 meter wide disco ball turning overhead, it’s a complete contrast to the cocktail bar.

The Drink
Cocktails come in around the £12 a pop mark - not excessive for this level of hotel - and they're prepared to a very respectable level by skilled bartenders. A waiter table service is available in the VIP space with a minimum spend between £600 and £1000, depending on how close you want to be to the large window looking over Leicester Square. The waiting staff (or talent as the sign on the staff entrance refers to them), are largely female and are very friendly and are ready to look after your every need. They have a great selection of drinks, anything from a bottle of Belvedere vodka for £200, to a bottle of the finest Dom Perignon champagne at £15,000. The prices may be prohibitive to many but this is a high-end, luxury hotel and prices reflect that.

The Music
There's a DJ booth in the main bar with deep soulful house seemingly the music of choice on a recent visit. Think: Ibiza-style sounds from the likes of Osunlade and you're not far off. DJs in the club part of the venue add anything from party classics to the latest dance floor troubling house grooves.

The Last Word
If you're looking for a sophisticated hotel bar with a naughty party streak, then this is the place for you. Get on the guestlist, take the lift up to Wyld and prepare for a peek into a completely different world.

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