The 5th View Bar and Food is a sanctuary for shoppers and cocktail lovers alike.

The Venue
Set on the fifth floor of the largest bookshop in Europe, 5th View Bar and Food is not just a respite from Waterstones; since its renovation in July 2006, it has become a destination in itself. Faced with the luxury of choice, you can line up along the suave mahogany bar and gaze out over the rooftops of London, or refuel at the author’s table which offers a selection of books to browse at your leisure.

The Atmosphere
Not just frequented by bookish types, during the day you'll find everyone from ladies who lunch sipping afternoon cocktails to single diners settling into a sofa for coffee and cake.

At night, 5th View Bar and Food attracts the after-work crowd who don’t want to head to the pub but fancy drinks at prices cheaper than those to be found round the corner at Nobu. The table service is exemplary, if not overly attentive and you may find that you are accosted by several extremely polite waiters all vying for your order.

The Food
Daily baked pastries and hearty brunch items such as Eggs Benedict dominate the small but perfectly formed menu. The goat’s cheese tart is especially good and a far better option than the sandwiches which can suffer from suffocation by condiments. In the evening, platters to share are on offer and the cheese platter proves popular with wine lovers.

The Drink
With a list for beer that reads like the who’s who of international ale, a safe but strong wine list, and a very literary cocktail selection, 5th View likes to serve up drinks with depth. The adventurous Violet’s Demise, inspired by the girl from Willy Wonka, is a brave cocktail of gin, pureed blueberries and cassis foam, whilst the Raspberry Bella displayed 5th View’s flair for freshness and quality ingredients. Try the St James’ Martini for the ultimate afternoon decadence and watch whilst it is poured at your table with your personal prefrence of gin.

The Last Word
For food and drink served with an irony that only the English can deliver, this stylish bar in a bookshop is a lovely spot where you can recharge day or night. In short, 5th View Bar and Food is ideal for hangover brunches, first dates and indulging your intellectual side.

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