A slick bar with private area, Eclipse is a nice venue when almost deserted. Beware though: at peak times it becomes very cash thirsty, letting in too many people and charging small fortunes to sit at a table.

The Venue
Located in the elegant Walton Street, Eclipse is a ground level bar and lounge furnished with modern and basic brown leather seating with warm yellow lighting. It is divided into two areas: one long room with a big bar and a few chairs and tables and the area doubling as private seating area, bigger, with a smaller bar and more seating space. This second area is far nicer, if you can afford to book a table there: it is quieter, not crowded and much more enjoyable. In fact, the big bar occupies the longest wall of the entry room, creating a thin corridor for people to move: a guaranteed traffic jam of arms and legs unable to move during the busiest nights.

The Atmosphere
Eclipse can be nice and relaxed out of peak times: when there are still tables available, it is even intimate. When very busy, however, it is best avoided: you’ll be packed inside like sardines, with no opportunity to reach the toilet or take off a coat, let alone sit down or order a drink! Obviously, precedence is given to groups willing to accept a table in the private area costing £25 per head, but even then the queue outside can get very messy, confusing and frustrating. The funk music with regular bongo player should put people in a more relaxed and cheerful mood but at busy times it fails miserably. The crowd is typically Kensington: not necessary famous and beautiful, but definitely wealthy and well-dressed, so be sure to fit in or risk being left waiting outside.

The Drink
Eclipse shines when it comes to the cocktails: prices are Kensington, starting at £8 for both house concoctions and traditional mixes, but at least the skillful barmen use a lot of fresh fruits and other healthy ingredients for their drinks. The resulting flavours are all interesting and the variety impressive. Champagne is a staple here, mostly sold by the bottle (starting at only £45) but also available by glass. Wine lovers can choose from an international selection of about ten reds and as many whites: a glass will set you back a minimum of £5. The spirit list is nothing special, populated as it is by common names: bottles are overpriced starting at £100, whether it’s Bombay Sapphire or Don Julio Anejo.

The Food
The menu is built around finger food supposed to complement the drinks. Hot and cold bar snacks are mostly Asian inspired with a pronounced Japanese influence but some Mediterranean options are available as well. Prices range between £4 and £8 and the quality of the food is good.

The Last Word
Avoid a weekend visit, unless you’ve booked a table in advance or you arrive very early. And be ready to spend quite a bit of cash.

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