Maybe not as cool as it once was, the long-established Gate Bar in Notting Hill still pulls in its share of trendies to soak up the buzzing atmosphere and fantastic service.

The Venue
Not to be confused with its burger-serving cousin on the corner of Pembridge Road, the Gate Bar is found on the other side of Notting Hill Gate, next to the Gate Cinema (yes, everything round here is called The Gate). The narrow wooden door is easy to miss, to the right of the cinema entrance, but it’s just yards from Notting Hill Gate tube station so you shouldn’t wander too far in the wrong direction. Behind the door, you immediately descend steep stairs into the basement bar, decked out with mirrors for a handy appearance-check before you make your big entrance. The bar itself is fresh and clean with sleek lines, dim lighting and trendy light boxes adorning the walls, coupled with pale woods and futuristic silver stools at the bar. There are seating areas to the side and in front of the bar, and a large dancefloor in front of the oversized DJ booth.

The Atmosphere
Early in the evening, the Gate Bar operates as a restaurant, attracting a mixed crowd of West London trendies out for a relaxed meal before their night out or fitting around a film at the two cinemas above them. Later in the evening, the bar fills up with a very Notting Hill crowd of trustafarians, Sloaney girls and music lovers. The vibe is energetic and sociable as people stand around talking at the bar or taking to the dancefloor for a dance to the eclectic music choices, which range from funky house and RnB to live music sets from new artists. The crowd isn’t as cool as it once was, but they’re still out for a good time, which is facilitated by extremely efficient and friendly bar staff, keen to stop and talk to explain the cocktails or the food, or just catch your eye and offer a smile.

The Food
The menu is a fusion of spicy Asian dishes, modern European fare and British classics – there is something for any appetite here, from hearty bangers and mash and mini cheeseburgers to the more sophisticated melt-in-the-mouth beef teriyaki or creamy goat’s cheese crostini with beetroot puree. It’s a shame that more people don’t arrive earlier and try the food - it’s the perfect start to a sociable night with many dishes designed for sharing with your friends.

The Drink
As well as bottled lagers and a full range of spirits, the Gate Bar offers a well-selected wine list. Of course, there are also cocktails, including a very tempting gin, lime and blueberry cassis, and a Sherbet Shazzam with vanilla vodka and blackberries, as well as the more traditional Mojitos, Cosmopolitans and Martinis. Drinks here don’t come cheap – expect to pay around £10 for cocktails and £4 for bottled beers.

The Last Word
The Gate Bar still offers outstanding food and varied music for an up-for-it crowd of fashionable Notting Hillbillies, and after all these years knows exactly what to offer to guarantee a good night out.

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