Welcome to View London
sign in
join
Datebar start
The Londoner's Guide to London
11 October 2008
Datebar end
  • Home  > 
  • Pubs & Bars  > 
  • Bungalow 8

Venue Search

advanced
search

Bungalow 8

Venue Image
Venue Image
St Martins Lane Hotel,
45 St Martins Lane,
Covent Garden,
London,
WC2N 4HX

(020) 7300 5592 

Add a User Review for

Bungalow 8
Add user review button
Add your own review of this pub / bar

Click here to add a review

Latest Reviews

User icon
StarStarStarStarStar
Reviewer d412ius
02/10/2008
It is interesting, that people still do not quite get the idea of the members club. It is not designed for everyone to like. The club attracts people who want to have fun with their friends in the private atmosphere with great drinks, food and music. This is not the place to find dates, but have fun. Also no tourists are coming which is the biggest luxury.
There is no need to complain that the prices are high, since you know very well, that the drinks will not be like in your local pub. You get the quality and service and the space what you do not get in the normal club.
If you choose to buy Chrystal instead of Moe & Chandon this is again one’s choice. If water ‘apparently costing £10’ is the only thing you can afford in the club, why bother going then? There are plenty of clubs like Mahiki in Mayfair where you would probably feel more at home. There is nothing wrong with that. It’s a great club.
I am going out in London and internationally a lot and find Bungalow 8 absolutely one of the best places to go. I do not like huge clubs and it is very important for me the clientele going to the place. I have no clue who ‘the celebrities’ are nowadays and who cares. I probably would not recognized Madonna on the street. This is sure not the reason I go to the place or apply for a membership.
For the record, I went out on Tuesday night, the 30th of September with my friends and it was great. Therefore, do not make up your mind by other people’s opinion. Also, no place is always perfect.
User icon
StarStarStarNo StarNo Star
Reviewer Anonymous
28/09/2008
Hey guys, just wanted to find out how much does the membership cost at this place and can anyone join if they wish? thanks in advance
User icon
StarStarStarStarStar
Reviewer Angie B
11/09/2008
I cant believe some of the reviews that Bungalow 8 is getting...

I love going here! The music is great, the drinks are amazing and the staff are fantastic!

Every time i go there we all have such a good time. It starts out as a few quiet drinks and as the night goes on the atmosphere picks up and everyone is partying

And it is the perfect place to spot celebrities (which explains to all those nobody wingers why there are no cameras are allowed)

About the cost... the bottom line is if you cant afford to go to Bungalow 8 then you cant afford to have a good night in london and to those people i would recommend drinking JD from a Maccas cup on your way to Sound
User icon
StarNo StarNo StarNo StarNo Star
18/07/2008
I am a member and have visited many times since it opened. Found it a great place to nip out of the busy city in for a quiet drink....because it is always empty until at least midnight. This is fine by me. Unfortunately I had a terrible time there last Wednesday. A friend of mine took a discreet photo of another friend on her mobile phone. There were no other people in the frame (there were barely any other people in the club). The manager was walking by and very rudely snapped "no photos" at my friend. This would have been fine and I understand the policy, it makes sense however the reason we took a pic (not least cos we were having fun!) was because we had just witnessed another group having their photo taken by a waitress and also snapping lots of shots of each other. He had been sitting with the group at the time. I spoke to him and explained that we felt a bit put out by his manner. I understand that he didn't approve in principle but the reality of the situation was that other people were taking pics (but fine one rule for us one rule for them is standard in this world!) but mostly the way he spoke to us. Hospitality is key and he should be treating us like friends not tacky tourists. When I told him that we were a little unhappy (I was not rude and made sure I spoke to him in a discreet spot of the club) he said "you're not getting a free drink". This was ridiculous and so unpleasant I was ready to leave...I said "no worries, I think we'd better just settle up then"...he snapped at a passing waitress "get her the bill" and gestured at me. I don't know why I paid but I did. We left and will never go back. Even though I am a membership that won't expire for a few months.I recommend visiting as long as you never cross paths with the manager.
User icon
StarNo StarNo StarNo StarNo Star
Reviewer Anonymous
02/07/2008
The place is very disappointing time after time. Specially compared to other clubs I have membership with. The music is cliche and dull. The members are like a bunch of estate agents, the place itself is like a corridor and the drinks are overpriced. A lot of hot air. I would rate the club lounge at Heathrow Airport higher than this place.
User icon
StarNo StarNo StarNo StarNo Star
Reviewer Anonymous
23/06/2008
Nothing special and severely over-priced. Don't waste your money.
User icon
StarStarStarNo StarNo Star
Reviewer frankie007
01/06/2008
Hi

ive read other reviews on bungalow and i agree sometimes...there isnt anyone there

but this is usually early....like before 11pm....after this thur fri and sat...you cant move in there!!!

its a GREAT venue and i love it, and if you have been when its quiet then give it another shot

x
User icon
StarStarStarNo StarNo Star
Reviewer Anonymous
14/06/2008
I'm a fair person....So I tried EVERY night in the week at Bungalow 8, and I'm talking weekend, early, midnight til late.... and it was a DISASTER....spent over £500 each night on champagne. Waste of money if you ask me. I'd rather go to the Light Bar. At least the management aren't bloody rude and the hotel guests at least fill the place up a little bit. - Report
User icon
StarStarStarStarStar
Reviewer Anonymous
15/05/2008
Hello! I'm an Aussie moving to London very soon (there are more Aussies in London than in the homeland now) and thought i'd get a head start on the London night life and applied online for a membership at Bungalow 8.
But now i have read all these scathing reviews i'm wondering whether i should take the 350 pounds required for the membership and buy myself something pretty instead, non?
User icon
StarNo StarNo StarNo StarNo Star
Reviewer Anonymous
15/05/2008
Yeah totally, don't bother. I live near Bungalow 8 and it's just for wannabes and posers with too much money and not enough sense... You don't need membership, just hit a whole bunch of clubs and just pay the entrance fee. London is packed with decent places for whatever you feel like so it's a waste of money throwing your money here! - Report
User icon
StarStarNo StarNo StarNo Star
Reviewer Anonymous
17/05/2008
Bungalow 8 is so unprofessionally run that I wonder if Amy Sacco has a clue what goes on down there. I think if they would soften the entrance/membership a bit, they might actually be busy and paying £400/£500 an eve wouldn't be such a waste.

Everytime I've been down there (forced by a member who wants to get their moneys worth) it was DEAD. That includes weekends, weekdays and from 11pm-2am. What more can I say?!!!!

- Report
User icon
StarStarNo StarNo StarNo Star
Reviewer Anonymous
19/05/2008
damn right! There are many worthwhile ways to spend your £350 in London - this isn't one of them.
You've read the reviews - they are accurate.
It is nothing like Bungalow 8 NYC which was so much fun a few years ago...
There are a number of other high-end vip clubs which you will soon find upon your arrival in London! - all of which you will enjoy a great deal more than this place. - Report
User icon
StarNo StarNo StarNo StarNo Star
Reviewer Anonymous
16/04/2008
the company my dad works for finances the schraeger hotels so he got a sneak peak at this place before it opened. as they were his clients he didn't tell them how disappointed he was but he said that if the place became a cool hang-out he would be very surprised...and i guess he was right as the club has barely made a blip on the radar.

one problem was for a place that easily charges the highest prices in London (10 quid for a tiny bottle of water...you are having a laugh) it doesn't offer much in terms of entertainment except if you get a kick out of spending crap loads of money and getting little back in return.
User icon
StarStarStarStarStar
Reviewer Anonymous
30/04/2008
If you say that bottle of water cost £10 in B8 then that means you've never been there. Why then bothering to write crap like that? - Report
User icon
StarStarStarNo StarNo Star
Reviewer Anonymous
03/05/2008
If this club didn't claim to be 'exclusive and A listers only', it wouldn't be so hard to accept a few flaws in the way it is run.

By unfortunately they have cowboys running the place..... - Report
User icon
StarNo StarNo StarNo StarNo Star
Reviewer Anonymous
15/03/2008
We are regulars at Bungalow 8 and on Wednesday evening we went down at 10pm for our usual champagne eve. The waitress took our order twice and came back saying they did not have this and that bottle in stock! The third time we ordered a bottle which was around £100-£150 on the menu approximately. I know because I checked it on the menu. Two bottles later we got a bill for £485. We are not the type to complain or make any sort of fuss, but we were all very disappointed and appalled at the fact that they would deliberately overcharge, thinking just because you can afford it, its ok to do that.

I'm personally very disappointed....
User icon
StarStarStarNo StarNo Star
Reviewer lauren554
29/02/2008
I went last night and i was a bit dubious about going because of some of the reviews on here. My friends and i had a fantastic night. I would say to arrive about midnight as it starts picking up then. The music was cool, started off a bit different but then the dj threw in some great mixes and everyone went crazy! Girls dancing on chairs,having a good time. The staff were very attentetive and polite. The people were great fun, all mixing and dancing with eachother. I am a member and would reccommend for other people to go too.. good vibe and atmosphere.. cant wait to go again!
User icon
StarStarNo StarNo StarNo Star
Reviewer Anonymous
29/02/2008
Funny how you danced on chairs with no chairs there. You can't even get a camera out for birthday pics without the staff pouncing on you!! What are they worried about?!!Taking pics of freaks coz there ain't no celebs.

STOP GETTING YOUR STAFF TO WRITE REVIEWS. BE HONEST.... - Report
User icon
StarStarNo StarNo StarNo Star
Reviewer Anonymous
23/02/2008
Last night my fiance dragged me down Bungalow 8 for a few drinks, as she has recently received her membership. My god, I was appalled by the manners of the lanky doorman - the tallest door person there with dark brown hair. I can't believe they get away with having staff like that at a reputable club. Anyway, drinks were great, the music was ok, on and off, but the no. of freaks there were the entertaining part of the evening!!We were told it was an A-listers club and considering the membership fees of £300 and the hassle of being 'shortlisted' for the membership, it was a load of K*K. Stick to the Sandersons and Light Bar, thats my advice!!
User icon
StarStarStarNo StarNo Star
28/11/2007
Hi, pretty vast differences on what you guys think of this venue. I went there last night by accident as it was chosen as an after show venue for Teatro. i was pretty pleased to be going as had read a lot about it. i found the door staff charming, was walked to a table and the bar staff quick freindly and efficient. yes it is a bit 'proud of itself' and a place is only as pretentious as the people using it, i was with people i liked so i had a great time. it is expensive it you want to get 'mullered' but i dont mind paying over the odds not to get glassed at the bar by some coach trip from wherever.

the music was like going into some crap gay bar in stoke on trent, bordering on ironic, it got more palatable the more i drank and felt i could take a very mixed bunch there who'd have a laugh dancing rather than get into the club vibe.

i would join but then changed my mind when i saw they'd close it to members when any night worth going to occured and who wants to turn up on a saturday night only to be turned away amonst a throng of papps and paris hilton...surley that the fun bit.

i could have decortaed it better myself, it looked like a cross between the orient express and a fish tank.

id go again.
User icon
StarStarStarNo StarNo Star
Reviewer Anonymous
01/12/2007
I'd go again if there was enough room to swing a cat...Where do you dance?!!It's a place to sit and meditate.

Must say, it is perfect for those having a bad make-up day....can't see a thing!!!! - Report
User icon
StarStarStarNo StarNo Star
05/01/2008
My Lord....I was out and about with my girlfriend and we had had a fab time in a superb club in Central London (no name dropping incase we get accused of working for a rival club!). She suggested going to Bungalow 8 around 1am, as 4 of her other friends (one a member) were there. I was happy to pay the £120 per ticket for 2 hours. We got to the door and laughed our heads off at the number of door staff. They were polite etc. but completely up their own ass. There is a fine line between being fashion conscious and being a fashion victim. Very sad and fake, the guys more than the girls.

We were told they were full, but then later found out that it wasn't even busy in there and boy.....it doesn't take that many to make that place rock.....it is TINY!

Guys....I suggest you cut down your number of staff and allow more customers in. That way they'll have a healthier balance between the number of staff and customers!!!!

Ciao - Report
User icon
StarNo StarNo StarNo StarNo Star
Reviewer Anonymous
26/11/2007
If you this this joke of a club is a top ''Cool Celebrity'' place to hang out then i have two words for you from friday night, ''Jamie Oliver'' (Z-list) thats right the man who used ''Top-Loader'', ''Dancing in the Moonlight'' as the choice of music to his uber-cool Sainsburys advert. It kind of all made sense when i heard the DJ on the CD Mixer, playing what equated to total ''Jive-Bunny''. I think maybe Micheal Barrymore might liven the place up with a few choice tunes from his best of ''David Wilkie'' Compilation CD.
User icon
StarStarStarNo StarNo Star
Reviewer Anonymous
27/11/2007
Come again? - Report
User icon
StarNo StarNo StarNo StarNo Star
Reviewer Anonymous
26/11/2007
Bungalow 8, more like Bungle Low rent. Avoid this club at all costs it is devoid of any atmosphere, style or class. I was in there on friday night with my friends, and after having to deal with the ''Bride of Wieldenstein''on the door, atypical terrible trolley dolly type with badly applied make-up who made Jodie Harsh and Pete Burns look like Jerry Hall, and who could not even be asked to see if we were on the guest list, we made it in to the inner sanctum of quite possibly the worse nightclub i have ever visited. The music was an insult to any semi-intelligent person, S-Club 7, Kylie and that awful Crooklyn Clan song with the Faith Evans riff that every Punk Mini-Driving Foxtons loving estate agent loves in West London. If i wanted cheese i would have gone to the deli counter at Fortnum & Masons. Anyone that desperate to visit this club is more fool than cool, i am truly astounded how badly wrong the people who run this club have got it. You should be truly ashamed of yourselves.
User icon
StarStarStarNo StarNo Star
Reviewer Anonymous
22/11/2007
Whi writes these reviews? Rival member's clubs? Visted the other night for the first time and after ready all the bad reviews I was a little worried. But it was great! You know it's going to be slightly pretentious, it's a members club. That's all part of it. Staff were attentive and I didn't get any attitude. Fantastic drinks. I will be going again.
User icon
StarStarStarNo StarNo Star
Reviewer Anonymous
24/11/2007
Rival club???!!! Behave...I've been a regular at Light Bar for years. I was pretty appalled that membership was such a hassle for Bungalow 8, for what?! The tiniest BAR I have ever seen. Members club or not, it is a complete let down, no comparison to Bungalow 8 in NY.

Staff are attentive, but management and door people need to get a grip. I think we'll stick to Light Bar, thanks. - Report
User icon
StarNo StarNo StarNo StarNo Star
Reviewer Anonymous
19/11/2007
What a load of rubbish.... We also started our evening in the 'Light Bar' as we were on their 'list' and had a great time with fairly reasonable prices and a nice mixture of people, 10 of us, all smartly dressed having been ut to dinner, with plenty of money to throw down our necks. Having spent 2 hours we headed downstairs, or didnt it seems as the self-obsessed, i am too good for this place £10 per hour doorman didnt let us in, no reason, just turned his back after securing the entrace with a very strong red rope that made him look important. Did we argue, no we made a call, checked a list and headed to a proper A list club and rescued the night. Bad move guys, one of our group was doing a review on you, or not it seems !!!!! Look forward to next Saturdays papers....
User icon
StarStarStarStarStar
Reviewer Anonymous
14/11/2007
Come on people!!
This is like the best club in London at the moment...extremely nice staff, gorgeous pretty drinks(ok well the prices could have been better...), sitting next to and chatting with people like Kylie Minogue, Kevin Spacey, Prince etc....amazing
Trust me, Bungalow 8 on a Saturday night ROCKS!!!BIG time.
User icon
StarNo StarNo StarNo StarNo Star
Reviewer Anonymous
16/11/2007
Yawn, you so work there. Anyone who has been to Bungalow 8 in London knows what it is really like - an enlarged Manolo Blahnik shoe box, empty, I might add except for a few squat stools. Dull. - Report
User icon
StarStarStarNo StarNo Star
Reviewer Anonymous
18/11/2007
Please don't make me laugh. I have been there on weekdays, weekends and it doesn't rock. Celebrity night spot.... it certainly isn't....Perhaps with private parties!! - Report
User icon
StarNo StarNo StarNo StarNo Star
Reviewer Anonymous
12/11/2007
yawn. The danger with having a reputation that precedes, is that things may not live up to expectations - nothing truer said than of this place. We started our evening at the Light Bar which, once we were passed the Wannabe door attendants (although the doormen at the hotel entrance were charming and efficient), was surprisingly fun and lively. The clientele seemed ok - not too may poseur-types nor chavs, and the service was friendly and accommodating. Later, when B8 opened (after about 10/10.30pm), we went down into the dungeons and immediately regretted having left the Light Bar. Although the design was beautiful, it had no atmosphere and was a little dull. We went to both bar areas, hoping the next would be more lively, to our utter disappointment. We even gave it the benefit of the doubt and waited until later for a more fun crowd to appear - and they stayed away... The staff were lovely and welcoming (aside from the manager who thought he was too-cool-for-school and looked down his nose at everyone - despite my suspicion that every one of the patrons probably earns at least 5 times his salary and go to enough nice bars not to have their heads turned by a bit of nice decor and rumours of 'slebs'). The drinks menu was fine - nothing too exciting, but.... I don't balk easily at the prices of drinks in London - it comes with the territory and I pay happily, if the ambiance is distracting enough, but c'mon: £10 for a baby bottle of still water?! You have got to be kidding me! One round of drinks for 3: £90! Oh please. I am privileged enough to go to some stunning bars all over the world, but this was a pretty dismal show. It seemed pointless to have so strict a door policy when no-one wanted to go in anyway...unlike me, they must have been pre-warned! I feel robbed of a good night out - I should have stayed upstairs.
User icon
StarStarStarNo StarNo Star
Reviewer Anonymous
18/11/2007
I sooo laughed when I read your review...spot on!! Everything you said about Bungalow 8, but how accurate are you about the Manager. Well, I gather there were 2 Managers. One ginger and one Asian origin. They both have such appalling attitudes...Get over yourselves...It's only a bar and my drinks bill cost more than their week wage. As for the lanky girl at Light Bar door.She really made us laugh, walking up and down the bar like she was on a catwalk. They used to have such lovely, friendly girls working there. What is going on in St. Martin's Lane?! - Report
User icon
StarNo StarNo StarNo StarNo Star
Reviewer Anonymous
11/11/2007
This bar was disappointing on so many levels. It's small and pokey, the cocktails are unimaginative and overpriced and the music was so laughably bad that at times I felt like I'd wandered into a Walkabout. The crowd was a bizarre mix of misfits, the air con was cranked up way too high and there was zero atmosphere. On a positive note, the staff were extremely attentive and friendly- from the doormen to the barmen and waitresses. Unfortunately this didn't save it for me and at the end of the day it's just another overhyped, overpriced bar. I'm not in a hurry to go back.
User icon
StarStarStarNo StarNo Star
Reviewer Anonymous
03/11/2007
Bungalow 8 was chic, to be fair. But it is certainly not what I expected. It is too dark and small. Too many staff working, which means less room for the customers. Management not visible. It isn't a celebrity club...it's just another posh bar, a bit like Light Bar when it first opened.
User icon
StarStarNo StarNo StarNo Star
Reviewer Anonymous
03/10/2007
When you arrive here do not expect Bungalow 8 New York - sadly this is one thing it is not.

As with New York, they serve a great drink, but this place has no atmosphere or taste in terms of music or decor. We left as soon as was politely possible. Gruesome!

It will be a relief to go back to New York and conveniently forget Bungalow London ever existed.
User icon
StarStarStarNo StarNo Star
Reviewer Anonymous
03/11/2007
I was pretty appalled by the music last night. Michael Jackson fans would have appreciated it though. The snacks menu was a joke....so limited for such a reputable club. - Report
User icon
StarNo StarNo StarNo StarNo Star
Reviewer Anonymous
18/09/2007
Ohhhh this is one huge bullshit club...think 100 times before going there! There is no organisation at all in that place, messy, noisy and so expensive! They don't have their own toilets, you will be ask to go and use the hotel's one,they even don't have their own coatroom...to check your coat you have to go to the other side of the hotel!



I am just warning all those who want to go there! There are more organised clubs in London...Chinawhite, Mahiki etc. They know how to put everything in the right place and time. My opinion if you haven't been in Bungalow 8 do not go there, you will be surprised and very disappointed.
User icon
StarStarStarNo StarNo Star
Reviewer Anonymous
28/09/2007
When did you go? I heard it happened opened yet? Were you there during Fashion Week? - Report
User icon
StarStarStarStarStar
Reviewer Anonymous
01/10/2007
Sorry to say…what are you talking about…there is a toilet in B8. Were your eyes shut? B8 is great. Great people, great location, great value for money; simply great!!!



However, this is a members clubs and it's A-listers only. - Report
User icon
StarStarStarNo StarNo Star
03/11/2007
Toilets were the nicest part of Bungalow 8, although the 50,000 stairs didn't help, especially after a few drinks.

BUT, who said anything about A listers....hello....NONE present and I've been couple of times a week since it opened!! - Report
User icon
StarStarStarStarStar
Reviewer Anonymous
17/09/2007
If it's anything like the Bungalow club in New York this London branch is going to rock with models and musicians. Does anyone know if they're going to have palm trees in the London one too?



I went to the American club when I was last in the Big Apple and I can't wait for this one to open in October. London is definitely the place to be when it comes to sexy clubbing. Five massive stars for excitement!
User icon
StarStarStarStarStar
Reviewer Anonymous
27/09/2007
I hope its worth waiting for - i havent seen this much hype since Milk and Honey came to town... - Report
User icon
StarStarStarNo StarNo Star
Reviewer Anonymous
03/11/2007
No palm trees. No models, just very tall waitresses.... - Report
The views contained in these user reviews are not endorsed by ViewLondon in any way and are provided by users who wish to publish their independent views of the respective establishment.

Latest from the Pub & Bar Forum

Walthamstow Pubs <
09/10/2008 @ 12:33