The hugely popular Kingly Club Soho has a little sister, in the form of the unoriginally named Kingly Club St Martins Lane. Offering everything you’d expect from this successful group, it provides what the area has been crying out for – a glamorous retreat from the plethora of trashy clubs and bars nearby.

The Venue
Although St Martins Lane is an undoubtedly upmarket locale, it suffers from its close proximity to Leicester Square and the cheap and trashy bars and clubs it unendingly appears to attract. Bravely popping up just around the corner from Leicester Square, a short walk from the safety net cast by the ever popular St Martins Lane Hotel (which includes the Light Bar and Bungalow 8) Kingly Club is out to make a statement, and so it does. Like a beacon in the darkness, the huge glass frontage that covers the whole side of the building allows casual passers by to glimpse in at the swathes of white, punctuated by large blue aquariums covering the walls. It unashamedly flounts its glamour in the face of neighbours that include Stringfellows and Verve.

Walking through the large glass door you’re met with a sea of white. The ground floor is the main bar area, diminutive in size, the bright, light colouring, mirrors and huge blue aquarium covering one wall cleverly draw the eye. They’ve managed to squeeze in a surprisingly large amount of seating all made up in gleaming white leather – from the bar stools to the sofas. A large bar to the right completes the look. However, the real excitement of the Kingly Club St Martins Lane comes when you enter a small doorway towards the back of the bar area, taking you into an excitedly confusing array of narrow mirrored corridors and stairways with plush black carpets that you sink into. Go downstairs and you’re met with the restaurant, Kyashii, consisting of two white dining rooms with more of the same decor as upstairs complete with the large, lulling aquariums, and a stunning chef’s table overlooking the open kitchen.

Upstairs is the mezzanine, a VIP area with its own bar and the simple decor and seating as you find in the main bar area. Smaller than downstairs, this is a nice break for when the club starts to fill up – if you can get in, that is.

The Atmosphere
Unlike its older sister, Kingly Club St Martins Lane isn’t a members’ club. If you’re a member of the Soho branch then you’ll have access to the mezzanine, but that’s as far as the exclusivity goes. That said, don’t expect to be able to just prance in off the street. Guestlists operate and you have to look the part. This place is smart, it’s upmarket and based where it is it will want to maintain an air of exclusivity, even if it isn’t wholly so. Don’t expect the overspill of Leicester Square to get in and you definitely won’t see Hen parties dressed as bunnies dancing about the place. Make the effort, dress up and smile your sweetest smile to get past the doormen, or you’ll only be able to glance in from behind a wall of glass.

Once inside, the atmosphere has a distinct party edge as people kick back to enjoy a night of cocktails, Champagne and glamour. Don’t come expecting the dance the night away, however, it may say ‘club’ in the title but there’s no dancefloor.

The Drink
As you’d expect from The Kingly Club St Martins Lane, the drink selection here is nothing short of impressive. From the large choice of Champagne to the sizeable array of cocktails, you can’t fail to find something that appeals.

The bars here really concentrate primarily on cocktails, with prices coming in at the not-extortionate £9 mark. One of their signatures, Asian Breeze (Grey Goose Citron, creme de mure, fresh lime juice, ginger, fresh pomegranate and raspberries, and pomegranate juice) is a light, delicate concoction bright red in colour and delightfully thick in consistency. However, if you prefer the classics then they have a huge range, most of which come with exciting twists. Be sure to try the Japanese bellini (Nigori Umesyu Umedayu and fresh passionfruit topped with Champagne) or the Tokyo Cosmopolitan (Wokka Saki, Qi white tea and orange liqueur, fresh ginger and pomegranate juice) - as you can tell, the Japanese theme is clearly evident and beautifully executed.

If you prefer it straight up then the spirit menu goes on for page upon page, filled with every premium spirit you can imagine. From whiskey, rum, vodka, liqueurs, gin, tequila and the ever sought after cognacs, you may find yourself a little flummoxed to begin with, but get stuck in a try a range to experience what drinking should be about. However, if you just fancy a beer, a bottle of Asahi is all you’ll get for little change from a fiver.

The Last Word
It was always going to be a big undertaking for The Kingly Club St Martins Lane to live up to the glamour and reputation of its Soho sibling. However, they’ve pulled it out the bag, offering a small but perfectly formed venue to dine, drink and look attractive in.

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