The Met Bar is reminiscent of the first legendary, mad parties in hotel bars in London and you’ll have heard about the celebrities that hang out here. Expect award-winning cocktails, a cool venue, but less wow factor than you might have hoped for.

The Venue
After walking through the lobby of the Metropolitan Hotel you’re directed into The Met Bar. Being members only it’s quite hard to get in, so get organised beforehand and make sure you stay at the design boutique hotel or put your name down on the guestlist. If not, a lot of talking to the security guys and receptionists will be required.

The venue itself is very dark and moody. The lights are dimmed and there are plenty of small round tables with comfy red seats. The colours that dominate are black and red – very striking but simple – with a basic decor that includes red candles on all the tables. The wall on the left hand side of the room is a mirror, giving the illusion that the bar is spacious. In reality, it’s quite small for a London hotel bar.

The Atmosphere
When busy, the space becomes buzzy and fun. It then makes an excellent night out with a smart touch. However, if The Met Bar happens to be quiet when you visit it can feel a bit like an empty nightclub. Expect to find some corporate guests from the hotel and businessmen staying in Park Lane. They usually tend to work in creative industries such as advertising and fashion and look good and funky. They don’t really mix though. It also feels like quite an intimate venue as there is enough space between the tables for privacy and with the lights being so dimmed you don’t really get to see what’s going on next to you.

The Food
With the dim lighting, it can prove rather difficult to read the food menu or the cocktail list, but make an effort as the nibbles are worth trying. There are some fairly decent but expensive tapas and even some sushi and caviar. If you’re in for something more filling or really fancy making a big impression on your date try Nobu, also on the premises.

The Drink
The cocktails are pricey - think Park Lane and hotel bar prices (£10-£12 a drink) but they are absolutely delicious. The actual venue doesn’t justify the prices, but bear in mind that only the best spirits are being used. You have the usual classic cocktails but some pretty rare combinations, making The Met Bar one of the best cocktail bars in London.

The Last Word
The cocktails in The Met Bar are definitely worth sampling for a special occasion or a date. If you’re in for dark and moody bars you won’t be disappointed.

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