There are lots of world-class hotel bars in London but few offer the sheer decadence of Blakes Hotel Bar.

The Venue
Blakes Hotel Bar is all about opulence. Over the top, hurt your eyes, crazy decorative embellishment. While many other hotel bars play on white marble to show the glamour of the space, this bar instead creates a Chinese-themed, warm and cosy den. Sat next to the equally decadent restaurant, the bar is all about giving you space to relax and unwind. On the far wall, a huge Chinese mural covers the entire expanse of the space, the blacks, golds and reds reflecting the overall colourscheme of the room. Yes, the red and black striped walls with matching cushions, sofas and even carpets shouldn’t work, yet somehow it does. It’s a clashy mess, sure, but it creates the illusion of a decor that has no beginning or end, one that totally envelopes you. Even the low dark wooden tables have black and red place settings. Two grilled screens create some sort of divide to the room so it’s not too open plan, and the whole theme is brought together with statuettes, that make you feel like you’re in some kind of museum, and pretty plants.

The Atmosphere
Prepare to lose all track of time at Blakes Hotel Bar. You’re shut in a crazy OTT room with staff whose only job it is to ensure you’re kept happy at all times. The clientele are incredibly moneyed and glamorous and, although it’s been known for celebrities to visit here, it hasn’t got that tacky celeb hangout feel that so often ruins bars like this.

The Food
Many drinkers at Blakes Hotel Bar are planning on dining in the restaurant, but it’s not necessary to do so as they do offer an expensive bar menu if you don’t mind paying out £12 for toasted ham and cheese sandwich. We kid you not. But then the people that visit this bar wouldn’t think twice.

The Drink
Blakes Hotel Bar does a frankly mind-blowing list of premium spirits and an excellent wine list, although prices start at £30 a bottle with the most expensive costing almost £400. However, it’s the cocktails that steal the show, priced at £12 and above. And the short list is almost entirely original (although classics can be mixed on request). The Chinese mojito plays into the bar’s theme and is an innovative twist on the popular drink. It’s comprised of vanilla vodka, ginger, lemon juice, mint and champagne and tastes much like a standard mojito with a pleasant hit of mint, but it has an added sweetness and almost creamy undertone, with all the flavours lifted by the sparkles of the (real) champagne. Alternatively, the Wake Up Call is a great cocktail made up simply of vodka, kahlua and espresso for a strong, ice-cold coffee hit with a giant vodka kick.

The Last Word
Blakes Hotel Bar hits the nail firmly on the head and is a crazy assault on the senses.

venue information venue map view london review user reviews (1) image gallery (3) book a table