If you’re longing for a holiday with drinks by the pool then you no longer have to book a flight with EasyJet, just pop along to the Haymarket Hotel on a Friday night and relax poolside with a cocktail and entertainment from a group of talented drag queens. Really.

The Venue
Set in the luxurious surroundings of the Haymarket Hotel, don’t be intimidated by the fancy surroundings - the bar here is anything but pretentious. Just dress well and look confident, stroll in through the doors, past reception and down some stairs to the pool. Oh yes, this bar is beside the pool.

As you walk down the stairs you’ll be met with the slight smell of chlorine - but not the overpowering, eye-watering amounts of your school swimming pool memories. This is a slight hint in the air, preparing you for what’s beyond the doors. Past the cloakroom and through the double doors you’re met with no pool you’ll have ever seen before - pure luxury. Twinkling fairy lights in the ceiling, gorgeous clear blue waters and a large TV screen at one end projecting coloured lights create an ambience of upmarket holiday glamour. A central bar comes crammed with people and the plentiful luxury seating (including silver Chesterfields) will no doubt have all been occupied since 6pm – best get there early! Touches of the swimming pool are dotted around, such as shelves with carefully rolled towels, artistically displayed, but the modern art that adourns the walls leaves no doubt in your mind that this is top-end. Just be aware that the bar is only open on Fridays 6pm-12am - make the most of it!

The Atmosphere
The Pool Bar has a definite air of hot holidays abroad, the warmth of the large room only helping to perpetuate this. People are glamorous in an understated way, attractive and low-key - the only dames in glittering dresses you’ll see are the drag queens! It’s laid back fun, a taste of the unusual in Central London. Less gimmicky, more enjoyably unusual. The Globe Girls - a top drag act with dance moves to impress - provide the entertainment at regular intervals. All West End professional dancers, you’ll be treated to three well choreographed routines across the night. Lots of fun, it‘s guaranteed to cause laughs aplenty and fits in with the good natured vibe of the bar.

It gets really busy thanks to only opening one night a week, but never so crammed you feel like a sardine and the staff do a great job of making sure your wait isn’t overly long.

The Drink
There’s a very small cocktail menu available, a few wines and you can buy a very well-priced glass of Champers for under a tennner. You won’t get much change from £10 (or any change!) with cocktails costing a hefty £10.50. Especially good is the Raspberry Heaven - a chocolatey fruit treat with fresh raspberries. Packing quite a kick, the creamy chocolatey taste cuts through so non-hardened alcohol drinkers can enjoy it.

The Last Word
An alternative night out - you won’t get the heady mix of tropical poolside bar and drag acts anywhere else.

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