May 5, 2025 Capital A List - Celebrity club news

Walking into The Library Bar at The Lanesborough in London feels like stepping into another era—one where elegance is effortless and time seems to move a little slower. Inside this iconic five-star hotel at Hyde Park Corner, the bar is the kind of place that whispers luxury rather than shouting it.

The interiors are everything you’d hope for from a space that calls itself “The Library.” Think polished mahogany shelves lined with rare books, hand-painted marbling on the walls, butter-soft leather chairs, and a fireplace that anchors the room with a warm, golden glow. The lighting is low, the ambience intimate, and if you’re lucky enough to catch one of their live acoustic sessions or a quietly brilliant pianist, the atmosphere becomes downright cinematic.

The Library Bar doesn’t try to be trendy, and that’s precisely its charm. It’s a place for quiet conversations, stolen moments, and impeccably crafted drinks.

The Library Bar at The Lanesborough London Menu

The menu at The Library Bar is a true celebration of craftsmanship. Find elevated classics, rare spirits, and elegant bites come together in a setting that demands you slow down and savour. Signature cocktails, the entire food menu… everything is delivered with the polish and poise you’d expect from one of London’s finest hotel bars.

The cocktail list is playful and refined. A standout is the Lilibet, a tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II. It is a cocktail featuring Earl Grey-infused Bombay Sapphire, bergamot, white cacao liqueur, and a bright twist of lemon. It’s floral, balanced, and just regal enough to match the bar’s stately interiors. For a bolder option, the St George’s Negroni blends Martini bitters, Dubonnet, Graham’s Port, and gin for a rich, velvety take on the classic aperitivo. There’s also an entire section dedicated to lighter, low-ABV cocktails for those who want a more delicate sip without compromising on flavour.

Beyond cocktails, The Library Bar is renowned for its historic cognac collection, featuring bottles that date back to the 1770s. This extensive spirits library also includes rare Armagnacs, whiskies, and vintage liqueurs. Many of these can be experienced in custom tasting flights.

The food menu complements the drinks. Small plates include truffle arancini and grilled sourdough with whipped feta. The standout Mezze Platter features falafel, baba ghanoush, vine leaves, and hummus. For something heartier, go for the Buttered Lobster Linguine. It comes with garlic, chilli, tomato, and spring onions—indulgent and perfectly paired with a glass of Champagne or a citrus-led cocktail. Lighter dishes, such as the burrata with citrus dressing or the heritage tomato salad, keep things fresh and seasonal.

The Library Bar at The Lanesborough London Bookings

Capital A List members can make bookings for The Library Bar at The Lanesborough below.

The Library Bar at The Lanesborough London Cuisine, Dress Code & Address

Cuisine: International

Dress Code: Casual

Area: Belgravia

Address: Hyde Park Corner, London SW1X 7TA

Website: https://www.oetkercollection.com/hotels/the-lanesborough/restaurants-bars/the-library-bar/

March 11, 2025 Capital A List - Celebrity club news

Permit Room Bar in London, an offshoot of the famous Dishoom group, has significantly marked the city’s dining scene. Inspired by the post-prohibition bars of Bombay, known as “permit rooms,” this establishment blends history, ambience, and culinary excellence.

The concept of “permit rooms” dates back to the late 1940s in Bombay, following the introduction of alcohol prohibition. During this era, individuals required personal licenses, or “permits,” to consume alcohol legally in designated establishments. Dishoom’s Permit Room pays homage to these historic venues, aiming to recreate the atmosphere of Bombay’s clandestine bars. While Dishoom has expanded its footprint across the UK, including locations in Brighton and Oxford, the Permit Room in London stands out by focusing on a bar-centric experience complemented by a curated food menu.

The Permit Room’s exterior presents a modest façade reminiscent of a quaint café. Upon entering, patrons are greeted by an expansive interior combining retro aesthetics and modern sensibilities. The design features rich wood panelling, vintage-inspired furnishings, and walls adorned with eclectic artwork. The layout includes cosy nooks and communal tables, catering to intimate gatherings and larger groups. The bar area, a focal point of the establishment, showcases an impressive array of spirits, hinting at the cocktail delights in the store.

Permit Room Bar London Menu

One of Permit Room’s defining features is its innovative cocktail program. The menu offers diverse drinks that tribute classic Indian flavours while incorporating contemporary mixology techniques. For instance, the Permit Room Clover Club blends gin, raspberry, and lemon, topped with a cardamom and coconut-infused foam, balancing sweet and tart notes. Another notable concoction is the Thums Up Sazerac, which combines rye whiskey, cognac, and absinthe, sweetened with a reduction of Thums Up, a popular Indian cola, resulting in a unique twist on the traditional Sazerac.

While Permit Room emphasizes its beverage offerings, the food menu complements the drinks. Embracing a tapas-style approach, the menu features small, shareable plates that draw inspiration from various regions of India. Highlights include Lamb Samosas, crispy pastries filled with spiced minced lamb and onions, and a refreshing coriander chutney. The Prawn Recheado are marinated in a tangy Goan-style masala, grilled to perfection, and accompanied by a lime wedge.

Try the Chicken Ruby, tender pieces of chicken simmered in a rich, buttery tomato-based sauce, infused with aromatic spices, and best enjoyed with steamed basmati rice or warm naan bread. The House Black Daal, a slow-cooked lentil dish, creamy and flavorful, showcases the depth of traditional Indian cooking techniques. The menu also caters to various dietary preferences, offering vegetarian and vegan options.

Permit Room Restaurant London Bookings

Capital A List members can make bookings for Permit Room below.

Permit Room Restaurant London Cuisine, Dress Code & Address

Cuisine: Indian

Dress Code: Casual

Area: Nothing Hill

Address: 186 Portobello Road, London W11 1LA

Website: https://www.permitroom.co.uk/

December 21, 2024 Capital A List - Celebrity club news

On top of the newly opened Mandarin Oriental Mayfair, ABar Rooftop Bar in London is a sophisticated haven in the city’s heart. It offers panoramic vistas and a curated selection of cocktails and culinary delights.

Opened on November 11, 2024, ABar Rooftop is the latest addition to the city’s bar scene. The venue accommodates 50 guests indoors. It is complemented by an expansive outdoor terrace that provides sweeping views over Mayfair, extending to landmarks such as Hampstead Heath and the London Eye.

The interior design draws inspiration from the sky, featuring soft blues, champagne tones, and rich ambers. A striking chandelier, reminiscent of cloud formations, serves as the focal point, enhancing the ethereal atmosphere. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame the cityscape. This allows natural light to brighten the space and offers guests a visual experience like no other.

ABar Rooftop distinguishes itself with its intimate setting and exclusive access. Guests arrive via a private lift encased in a glass cube. The bar operates from 12 p.m. to midnight Sunday through Wednesday and until 1 a.m. Thursday through Saturday. Adding to the ambience, live DJ performances are scheduled from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, providing a soundtrack to the evening.

This is a blend of innovative mixology, refined cuisine, and breathtaking views.

ABar Rooftop Bar London Menu

Here, the food menu, crafted under the guidance of Chef Akira Back, reflects a fusion of global influences and seasonal ingredients. But our main focus goes to the cocktail selection, which is divided into four sections—Haru (spring), Natsu (summer), Aki (autumn), and Fuyu (winter)—each showcasing creative interpretations of classic drinks. Notable offerings include:

• Artichoke Thyme: A take on the Old Fashioned, featuring Whistle Pig 10 Years Old whiskey, Cynar, garlic oil, and thyme essence.
• Fig & Yuzu: A rendition of the White Negroni, combining fig-infused Mancino Bianco vermouth, Rinomato Americano Bianco, London No. 3 gin, and Yuzushu.
• Grapefruit & Jasmine: Roku gin, The Lost Explorer mezcal Espadin, jasmine liqueur, and grapefruit soda.

The culinary offerings complement the beverage program, with lunch options such as miso niçoise salad, grilled salmon poke bowl, and a Wagyu burger. In the evenings, the menu transitions to feature savoury sushi tacos, new-style sashimi, and caviar, reflecting Chef Back’s creative approach to cuisine.

ABar Rooftop Bar London Bookings

Capital A List members can make bookings for ABar Rooftop below.

ABar Rooftop Bar London Cuisine, Dress Code & Address

Cuisine: Japonese/Korean

Dress Code: Casual

Area: Mayfair

Address: 22 Hanover Square, London W1S 1JP

Website: https://www.mandarinoriental.com/en/london/mayfair/dine/abar-rooftop

December 2, 2024 Capital A List - Celebrity club news

Godet bar in London has recently opened its doors on Essex Road in Islington. This establishment is the brainchild of Sylvain Bertozzi, the owner of the popular Binch wine bar in London Fields. Building upon the success of Binch, Godet aims to offer a larger, more dynamic space. The venue combines a curated selection of fine wines, craft beers, and a unique culinary experience. It is all set to the backdrop of a high-fidelity sound system featuring live DJ sets.

Occupying the former site of The Seveney pub, Godet has been transformed into a welcoming venue that caters to wine fans and music lovers. The interior design maintains a cosy pub atmosphere while introducing modern elements that reflect its dual focus on quality beverages and music. The bar accommodates approximately 40 guests inside, with additional seating for 20 in the beer garden.

Beyond its food and drink, Godet distinguishes itself with a strong emphasis on music. Equipped with a high-fidelity sound system, the bar hosts DJs each night. They spin a mix of funk, soul, disco, house, garage, and Afrobeats. This musical focus creates a lively and engaging atmosphere. This makes Godet not just a place to eat and drink but a destination for a complete sensory experience.

Whether you’re a wine enthusiast, a craft beer lover, a foodie, or a music fan, Godet offers a welcoming space to enjoy all these pleasures under one roof.

Godet Bar London Menu

Godet’s beverage program brings quality and variety. The wine list features French and European selections that appeal to seasoned connoisseurs and casual drinkers. In addition to the wine, Godet has nine taps dedicated to a rotating selection of craft beers and ales from London and across the UK. The bar also plans to host tap takeovers and limited-edition pours, providing a platform for local breweries to showcase their creations.

Complementing its drink selection, Godet has partnered with Perk’d Up Burger to offer a menu that serves smashburgers from Wednesday to Saturday. The signature cheeseburger is a must-try, made with dry-aged ex-dairy cow beef. Vegetarian options, such as the veggie burger featuring a double patty with cheese, bread and butter pickles, crispy onions, and house sauce, ensure something for everyone. Bar snacks like frickles with house sauce and four-cheese croquettes perfectly accompany the drinks.

Godet plans to expand its culinary offerings starting in mid-November by opening on Sundays with The Ingredientist Kitchen. This collaboration will introduce traditional Sunday roasts featuring Galician beef and Dorset pork and indulgent desserts like pain au chocolat bread & butter pudding and espresso martini tiramisu.

Godet Bar London Bookings

Capital A List members can make bookings for Godet below.

Godet Bar London Cuisine, Dress Code & Address

Cuisine: American

Dress Code: Casual

Area: Islington

Address: 382 Essex Rd, London N1 3PF

Website: https://www.instagram.com/godetlondon/

November 25, 2024 Capital A List - Celebrity club news

SOMA 2.0 bar in London is the much-anticipated evolution of the popular SOMA bar in Canary Wharf. Known for its original incarnation in Soho, SOMA 2.0 takes the brand’s concept of modern, creative cocktails infused with Indian flavours to a new level in an edgier, more expansive setting. SOMA 2.0 combines sleek industrial design and an innovative drinks menu that stays true to its roots while experimenting with new influences.

The interior of SOMA 2.0 reflects the eclectic, industrial vibe of East London. Think moody, dim lighting, dark walls, and bold metallic accents that give the space an underground, speakeasy-like feel. The bar is spacious enough to cater to both intimate gatherings and larger groups. It has plenty of seating to accommodate its growing fanbase. Unlike the more compact Soho venue, SOMA 2.0 embraces its East London location with a more open, laid-back ambience.

SOMA 2.0 is more than just a place for drinks; it’s an immersive cocktail experience that combines high-end mixology with East London’s relaxed, cool vibe. Its emphasis on unique flavour profiles, particularly the Indian spices and ingredients, sets it apart in a city full of cocktail bars. Whether you’re popping in for a post-work drink or settling in for an evening of cocktail exploration, SOMA 2.0 is a must-visit for cocktail enthusiasts and anyone looking for something different on the East London bar scene.

SOMA 2.0 Bar London Menu

The cocktail menu at SOMA 2.0 brilliantly continues its predecessor’s mission—serving sophisticated, Indian-inspired cocktails with unexpected twists. Patrons can expect signature drinks from SOMA and new creations that push boundaries.

Classics like the Coriander Gimlet, made with gin, lime, and fresh coriander, remain a crowd-pleaser. Meanwhile, newer additions, such as a Turmeric-infused Margarita, bring a refreshing punch of spice to the drink lineup. The bar also explores global influences, from Japanese to South American ingredients, all woven together with the precision and creativity SOMA is known for.

Aside from the innovative cocktails, SOMA 2.0 offers a carefully curated selection of wines, spirits, and non-alcoholic beverages. The bar staff are keen mixologists, always happy to create bespoke drinks based on patrons’ preferences. This adds an element of personalization to the experience.

SOMA 2.0 Bar London Bookings

Capital A List members can make bookings for SOMA 2.0 below.

SOMA 2.0 Bar London Cuisine, Dress Code & Address

Cuisine: Indian

Dress Code: Casual

Area: East London

Address: 6 Frobisher Psge, London E14 5HA

Website: https://somasoho.com/canarywharf/