Popular with the reality TV crowd, Paper is always packed with clubbers keen to enjoy an up-for-it vibe and cool music. It’s just a shame that so much of that crowd doesn’t really belong in a venue that claims to be upmarket.

The Venue
Paper is divided into so many different areas that it would be easy to come here several times without realising they were all here. Despite this, the club and dancefloor area gets pretty cramped so you should aim to get into one of the VIP areas if you can. There are three of these – The Paper Room, The Cigar Room and The Bedroom.

The Paper Room is decorated with big headlines and newspaper prints from the last century, and 1930s style hostesses wait on the tables in this area. The Bedroom is a private area with its own bar available for hire, whereas The Cigar Room is for the real VIPs and even boasts a secret passage back up to Regent Street so celebrities can make their escape from the waiting paparazzi. The decor is dark and moody throughout with plums, blacks and greys creating a stylish and sexy vibe.

The Atmosphere
Paper has attracted big name celebrities over the years, including Usher, Girls Aloud and Prince William, but these days it’s mostly reality TVs finest so don’t expect to spot much more than a Big Brother ‘star’. Unfortunately, the club is packed with blonde glamour girls and somewhat sleazy old men that follow this crowd around, in fact they’re packed in so tightly that the club area becomes uncomfortable. There’s little point to the dancefloor on some busy weekends when so many trashy types have got past the bouncers that you can’t actually move.

For the prices Paper charges, it’s only worth the money if you can get into one of the VIP areas. Be careful also of the gratuity-hungry table servers and the often unfriendly bouncers, who think it’s OK to keep patrons waiting at the door for as much as twenty minutes while checking they’re ‘on the list’.

The Music
One thing Paper does get right is its music policy, which is a hot mix of funky house, electro, the odd bit of RnB and recent chart hits. All too often the enjoyment of the music is hampered by lack of space to dance, but nevertheless it’s undoubtedly the best thing about this place.

The Drink
Prices for drinks at Paper are at the top end of the scale, certainly as high as its nearby neighbours Dolce and Chinawhite. Expect to pay upwards of £10 for a spirit and mixer, and cocktails up to £15. Bottles of Veuve Cliquot are about £80, which is typical for London members' clubs.

The problem with paying so much for drinks is that you expect a bit of exclusivity and VIP treatment when you’re splashing so much cash, and Paper just doesn’t offer this to its regular punters. If you’re in the VIP rooms, being waited on by the glam hostesses, it feels like a worthwhile treat so long as your waitress isn’t cheeky enough to loudly ask how much you’d like to tip her!

The Last Word
Paper looks great on paper, with fab decor and great music, but the crowd spoils it a little. It’s just too tightly packed to enjoy yourself, so if you’re coming down treat yourself to a table in the VIP area to be sure of a good night.

venue information venue map view london review user reviews (50) image gallery (3) book a table