Bonds is an attractive Central London cocktail bar with a cracking atmosphere.

The Venue
Bonds is a well-styled venue that ticks most of the boxes. The bar itself is a long, dark affair with purple back-lit bottles. There is a gas fireplace that pumps out plenty of heat and is quite homely. A good mix of different seating areas - some high, some low - breaks up the eye-line and makes the bar more open, so you can happily avoid sitting practically on top of your neighbour. Plenty of windows bring natural light by day, and at night it is suitably dark for a seductive cocktail bar ambience.

The flat screens are clearly visible but not in your face, avoiding any chavvy slant that so easily could have accompanied them. In the basement is a good sized space with its own bar that can be reserved for parties.

The Atmosphere
Bonds has an easygoing chilled out atmosphere. The bar staff are attractive, young and polite and the clientele are office types in their twenties and thirties. There’s a nice hum of conversation in the air that weaves in and out of the chill-out soundtrack. Bonds would certainly make for an excellent spot for birthday drinks or a leaving do. It doubles up as a sports bar and plays most major matches on its flat screens.

The Drink
Cocktails play heavily on their drinks list here with short, long and Champagne cocktails to choose from. Even the Champagne options are pretty inexpensive, which is a pleasant change for Mayfair. Several of the wines offer a 'buy two glasses and get the bottle free' deal, and there is even cheap cava. This is definitely the place to come if you want to go out in Mayfair but the credit crunch is, well, crunching.

The Last Word
Bonds is a fun and casual Central London bar. It’s entertaining and easy on the wallet.

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