OK,so you’re going to London. as you most likely already know, no sun, no beaches, a lot of rain but….this is F*ckin’ London Baby!! Love it!!

For many years London has been offering world class bars, hotels and everything else that has to do with leading hospitality industry.  It is hard to determine the leaders in this field, for one simple reason: the nightlife in London is continuously improving and transforming. Just like New York, the venues that we discuss today might be outpaced already tomorrow.

Despite these facts we have created a “hospitality tour” that takes you to the most innovative, beautiful and original outlets that London offers today. Since there are no rules that we have to abide everything is open and we decide where to start Our plane arrives at approximately 5pm at Heathrow Airport. We’ll take the London underground to the hotel we were are staying this weekend (read: drop off bags and hit the road) . The program is intensive but satisfying…so fasten your seatbelts and take the ride!

Day 1.

First stop is Vertigo 42 (25 Old broad street). This beautiful venue is located at the 42nd floor of a building in central London. At this height you may enjoy spectacular sunsets. The only thing you will have to decide for yourself is the direction you look at: the bar offers an almost 360 degrees view of London. The guests at Vertigo 42 mainly drink champagne (the perfect beginning of the weekend) combined with great “finger food”. This combination makes you forget your (long?) flight quickly and gets you in the right mood to rock them bars tonight! Therefore, finish that bottle of champagne like your daddy used to do and take your coat!

We will continue our journey to Soho, the main nightlife district of London. We will go the Lab(12 Old compton street), which has been crowned “world’s best cocktail bar” for several years.Might you enjoy this bar: the Lab recently opened its younger brother Townhouse, right around the corner of the famous Harrods store. Townhouse is a bit more exclusive compared to the Lab, and therefore attract a different crowd. Anyhow, we are in Soho and enjoying our fancy cocktails at the lab, before we move on to st. Martinslane (45 St. martinslane).

We are visiting the light bar (make sure to have a reservation before arrival) which is a very modern and futuristic venue. Hotel st. Martinslane is one of the trendsetters of the London hospitality industry and is part of  Ian Schrager’s Morgan Hotel Group. Sit down, relax and order one of the most brilliant that London has to offer:  A cocktail with limoncello, gin, vanilla and basil (Basil Martini?; since we drank too much again, we do not remember the exact name of this masterpiece), now that’s a fucking combo! Enjoy the cosy niches while you’re there cause it’ll be over soon!

After st Martenlane next stop is Covent Garden. Covent Garden is not only a place that can meet your alcoholic demands, during daytime this is a very interesting place on Saturday’s and Sunday’s with many street musicians and terraces. Check out the orchestra playing in the center of the building on Sunday’s (take the stairs down or watch them play from the level above). The members of the orchestra are all students of the music academy in London. Guaranteed entertainment! For now we will keep our focus on 1 thing only: Navajo Joe (34 King street)We are only here for one reason: tequila bashing!! Yeah baby!! These Conjo’s have a complete tequila assortment that includes 300 different brands of tequila. Ok, let’s smash some tequila’s to put in the vibe and let’s rock them bars!! Doesn’t it feel awesome? We thought so! Let’s move on to Roadhouse (35 Jubilee market covent garden)!  Roadhouse is our favorite, the interior made us think of a shabby American diner but the place has soul. Especially the motorbike on top of the bar in the middle of this bar is cool! In addition, this bar is all about flair! Flair Bartenders juggle with bottles of Bacardi, whiskey and so on. These guys do not only provide perfect service,  it is the perfect entertainment…tremendous! For all those hospitality industry lovers, this place is a “not to miss”.  What these people are doing is un-be-lie-vable. On top of that there’s a band playing every night to get the party started. Do we need to say more?

Might you haven’t had enough after this experience, get yourself on the guest list at Maya (1 Dean street). Maya is a very exclusive nightclub where celebs are regulars. Order a bottle of liquor, whisk(e)y or champagne and, if not already, you’ll feel like a worthless chump in no time.

Whooff. Finally some rest. A short recap: Champagne and finger food with a remarkable view at Vertigo 42, impassioned cocktails and getting loose at the Lab. A drink at the light bar and continuing to one of the most beautiful areas in London, Covent Garden: Tequila bashing at Navajo Joe’s, accelerating at the Roadhouse and finally decadently sipping that last drink at Maya. KICK ASS! Goodnight.

Map

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Day 2

Let’s start the day with an espresso that the Italians would definitely appreciate: Harvy Nichols (109 Knightsbridge) is around the cornor of Harrods at the 5th floor. Of course, real (wo)men order a double espresso to get the train on track again. Ready? Go!

We’ll start the day in our all-time favorite Montgomery place (31 Kensington park road)… Montgomery place is located in the center of chique Notting Hill, which doesn’t say anything about itself. This bar is magnificent! A small cocktail bar which makes everything look just perfect: the perfect amount of bottles on the shelve behind the bar, the perfect number of tables, a perfect choice of interior design and crystal clean toilets. In addition, the service is world class though down to earth. The music from the ’50ies and cocktails that meet the quality of those made in the Lab.  This bar has it all! See for yourself en enjoy the purity of hospitality right here on earth. These cocktails will make you forget that hangover that you inherited from last night, take your time and live it up before we go to the next venue.

You might have build up some apetite which is why we luxuriate at Fernandez and Wells (43 Lexington street). Order a quality Italian wine together with fine prosciutto and consider this unique experience your appetizer. After our appetizer, we’ll have dinner at Hakkasan (8 Hanway place), a restaurant that excels in the Asian kitchen: the restaurant is considered among the top 50 restaurants of the world. The food is superb, the service unbeatable. Another location which delights unexpectedly.

It’s time to rejuvenate agin, we’ll visit Milk and Honey (61 Poland street). This venue is as unique as its name. Make sure that you have a reservation because otherwise entrance is not an option. This “speak-easy” is located at one of the most birlliant location we have ever seen.  In the middle of lively Soho, Milk and Honey manages to stay almost invisible. It took us 15 minutes and 3 times walking the same street up and down before we discovered Milk and Honey. At a certain point we were wondering if we were actually at the right address, but after we rang the doorbell in the middle of this black unlogo’d wall we entered a different world.  The hostess was one of the friendliest we have ever experienced and after a quick look at her guestlist we were seated. If this powerful woman decides that your sorry ass is allowed to enter, you will see that this venue exceeds your expectations in all possible ways. Milk and Honey is a members club where the guests pay a membership fee (No drinks included). The rich and famous have been visiting this bar among whom Madonna and Robbie Williams. Anyway…Cocktails…Again…:-)

Afterwards there are different options to get wasted again: Ministry of Sound, Pacha (We recommend Hed Kandi night only), Tiger Tiger, Fabric, …, …, too many clubs too visit in one night, but a every single one of them is worth it.We choose Koko (1a Camden high street). Koko is usually not highly recommended because of the somewhat boring parties and not too extravagant crowd. But…once a month this is the setting for Funkin you! A party with dazzling dance music, lots of entertainment and stunning surroundings. Koko is located in an old but still authentic theater.

Haven’t had enough yet? Of course not. No worries. Fabric (77a Charterhouse street).  Experience? Priceless.  (Open until 8am).

Day 3

Sunday. You’ll probably hate it as much as we do but we are taking the necessary preparations for our flight back home. To conclude our blast, let’s visit some of the finest hotels that London has to offer. Our suggestions: Lanesborough, Metropolitan, Dorchester, Mandarin Oriental… For lunch we will visit one of the most thrilling establishments ever! Sketch (9 Conduit street). This venue is a collection of all different kinds of art. Antique vs modern, sexy vs dull, tea vs champagne…believe us, Sketch has it all. Sketch offers three to four different areas that all have their own character and style. The one more attractive as a dinner option, the other for a cup of tea with home made delights. One thing is for sure; we are having lunch in the relaxing entourage of  ‘the Parlour’. Chill! Don’t forget to take a look at the famous “egg” toilettes.

Do you have the pleasure of  a late flight? Make a reservation for an afternoon tea at the elegant hotel The Ritz London (150 Picadilly). They know what hotels should be;  class, style, service. Dresscode: smart elegant. The perfect opportunity to enjoy this city for the last time! God save the queen…

London, love it!