If you’re a discerning night owl, Electric Birdcage is one of the finest places to perch whilst nibbling daintily on dim sum and sipping on cocktails until the early hours.

The Venue
Central London can sometimes appear a bit samey with chain café after chain restaurant all jostling for a place in one of the capital’s prime locations which is precisely the reason that Electric Birdcage is such a refreshing change. The surroundings are decadent and the music cutting edge. Birdcages painted in fluorescent colours are lined up behind the black marble reception desk, attractive waitresses wear Fifth Element styled outfits and the high ceilings are painted a vivid fuschia pink, this is certainly no nightspot for shy and retiring wallflowers.

Step through the doors from the reception and you’ll find yourself in a large room with seating around the edges of the room and low tables lined up alongside. So far, so discreet except that this venue is all about tongue in cheek. Look up and you’ll gaze at birdcage inspired chandeliers hanging from the bright pink ceiling, look straight ahead and you’ll see the bar with a vast carousel styled canopy overhead, walk through the corridor to the slightly smaller back room and another bar and you’ll find pictures of Barbara Windsor (she’s a friend of the owner) turquoise stools and pink Hand of Buddha chairs.

The Atmosphere
The name sums it up, the atmosphere is as electric as the venue is vibrantly coloured. They’re not taking reservations and the fact that it is setting out to cater to anyone certainly contributes to the feeling of fun. Large groups of friends graze on dim sum, couples sip cocktails and everyone taps their feet to the music which is a refreshing mix of rock, pop and house.

The Food
It’s rare that a venue combines both the food and drink aspects without one succeeding at the expense of the other but so far Electric Birdcage is proving itself more than capable of wowing with both. The dim sum are exceptionally good, not simply to nibble on over drinks but well worth visiting Electric Birdcage on their own merits. Priced at a wallet friendly £3 per serving particularly worthy of mention are the deep fried corn cakes served with a sweet chilli sauce which are delightfully crispy and not at all greasy, the vegetable spring rolls (incredibly crunchy and fresh tasting), Har Gau (perfectly succulent prawns in a light translucent rice flour parcel served with bamboo shoots) and Gyoza which are served exactly how these pan fried vegetable dumplings should be with a hot soy vinegar dipping sauce.

The Drink
When it comes to drinks it really would be tantamount to sacrilege to visit this bar and not spend the night sipping the cocktails served in vast glasses and named so decadently that it’s a wonder that they don’t grow plumes and start strutting around the bar. Cocktails are priced from £7.00 and include the Electric Lemonade (a pink, perfectly blended concoction of Belvedere Vodka, Orange Curacao, sweet and sour, strawberry puree and a dash of lemonade), the Frozen Vanilla Honey Bee (an addictive blend of Absolut Vanilla, Kahlua, Baileys, Barenjager and vanilla ice cream) and the Coriander Mojito (Bacardi 8, soda water, fresh coriander, lime and sugar syrup over crushed ice). Groups shouldn’t leave without ordering the Electric Birdcage, priced at £95.00 and serving eight people comfortably it includes a bottle of Champagne, Absolut Raspberri, peach schnapps, Cointreau, Absolut Citron, gomme syrup, strawberry puree, orange juice, fresh raspberries and blueberries.

The Last Word
Every so often a venue arrives which changes the way Londoners socialise for the better. Electric Birdcage is one of those rare finds which you’d be wise to reveal to only your closest friends and if you don't believe us, just ask Babs Windsor.

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