Climbing down the steps of this converted public toilet is like being transported through the rabbit hole and finding yourself at of one of the most interesting club nights in London. You will be served by hell’s angels and entertained by vivacious cabaret.

The Venue
A stone’s throw from Somerset House, directly beneath One Aldwych Hotel lies Cellar Bar, having the distinguished address of Zero Aldwych. The space, as you might imagine, is quite compact but it all adds to the intimacy of the night. The vibrant red walls are lined with angel wings hung directly above retro chic mauve booths and bar stools. You might be wondering where the entertainment will come from and how they will possibly fit amongst the crowd. However, around 9pm when the shows start, a small curtain behind the booths at the far end of bar open revealing that night’s entertainment. They do not have a lot of room, but that does not stop them putting on a good show and it encourages the acts to interact with the crowd.

Being true to its original incarnation, this converted public toilet has the most avant-garde bathrooms in town. Many may be too shy to attempt public elimination but once the door is closed a magic trick occurs leaving you in total privacy. If you want a seat in the bar, reservations are highly recommended otherwise you will be meeting with pistols at dawn against your fellow clubbers over a bar stool. There is the possibility of obtaining a membership to the bar should you want to become a regular and have a secured table.

The Atmosphere
The crowd does not typically dress to the theme of Cellardoor (but feel free to dress as glam as you like) and is composed of affluent patrons of thirtysomethings enjoying a decadent cocktail. The bar staff are young, sexy angels wearing short shorts with black and pink wings on their backs.

This is the type of dive where one would expect women such as Holly Golightly with a cigarette holder to be seducing elder gentlemen and the lack of smoke is actually a negative aspect. The freethinkers of Cellardoor felt the same way and being unable to offer cigarettes for an all encompassing bohemian experience they offer snuff in a variety of flavors from apricot to chocolate.

The Music
Before the live acts start the crowd is in charge of the music with a virtual jukebox accessed via SMS. Simply text the call number of the song you want to hear from Elvis Presley to Elvis Costello and a bit of Dita Von Teases’s ex-bad boy Marlin Manson in the mix as well. The club is open every night of the week and there is never a shortage of entertainment. Be enthralled by Ruby Blue singing Jessica Rabbit’s ‘Why Don’t You Do Right’, listen to the DJ styling of one fierce drag diva Ms Sizzle, and swing duo Kit Kat Kabaret are regulars.

The Drink
This is a great cocktail bar with a long list from the classic dirty martini to Cellardoor specials such as the Dita Von Tease (£7.50). That said, skilled bartenders make whatever you like. If this is only your first stop for the night then try the Starbucks Must Die (£7.50), a mixture of chocolate, tequila and espresso. Highly recommended is the Simone De Beauvoir (£8.50) a Champagne cocktail with strawberries.

The bar stocks a great range of premium spirits including the smooth Patron tequila and their bourbon is between ten and eighteen years old. There is a wide selection of wine (red, white and pink) from £4 a glass and around £20 for the bottle, a bottle of Champagne goes from £25-£299. There isn’t any draught lager but bottled beers include Vedett (a Belgian delight), Peroni, Morittz Bear Lao, Dark Star Sunburst, Dark Star Espresso and Aspali Cider for around £5 a bottle.

The Last Word
Be swept back to the style of a 1940s dive bar, it’s a little bit Cabaret with a hint of Chicago and a splash of Breakfast at Tiffanies.

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