With the announcement that all COVID-19 restrictions in England could be lifted from June 21st, we’re all counting down the days until that first opportunity to have a real night out with friends – and we can’t think of a better destination for the evening than London!
With so many popular spots around the city, it’s difficult to know where to start. With that in mind, here are DDW’s picks for the best hotels, restaurants, bars and nightclubs in London, so that you can say ‘goodbye’ to lockdown in style.
Where To Stay
You’ll need somewhere to get ready, after all – and somewhere to sleep away the next morning.
The London EDITION
Just a stone’s throw from Mayfair and Covent Garden, The London EDITION is a great base for anyone looking to enjoy a day out shopping and dining in the city before getting ready for the exciting night ahead.
Promising, and certainly delivering, ‘boutique elegance’, each room in The London EDITION is beautifully decorated and comes with all the amenities needed to prepare for an exciting evening. There’s also a stylish bar downstairs where you can enjoy a cocktail or two before heading out!
Hotel Cafe Royal
Situated on Regent Street, Hotel Cafe Royal has played host to a number of famous guests over the years, including Oscar Wilde, David Bowie and Muhammed Ali – and it’s easy to see why.
This hotel offers all the glamour and sophistication that you and your party will be craving in the lead-up to your first night out in over a year, as well as spa and wellness facilities that we’re sure will come in very handy the next day!
Redchurch Townhouse
Part of the famous Soho House chain, Redchurch Townhouse offers a much cosier experience, with bespoke furniture in each and every room, all of which are decorated with a perfectly homely feel. If you’re looking to spend a little less time in the hotel itself and just need a base for you and your group, this will be ideal.
That’s not to say it doesn’t also include its fair share of much-needed amenities. Every room at Redchurch Townhouse is equipped with a rainforest shower, Samsung IPTV, minibar and a Marshall Bluetooth speaker, perfect for dusting off your ‘pre-drinks’ playlist whilst getting ready.
Where To Eat
Even nightlife newbies know that the best evenings start with heading out for a great meal together first.
HIDE
The latest venture from acclaimed chef Ollie Dabbous, HIDE offers guests the chance to enjoy beautiful cuisine and a delightful drinks menu in collaboration with Hedonism Wines, all whilst taking in the city views over Picadilly.
The restaurant prides itself on being the perfect spot for every occasion – including the (hopefully) once-in-a-lifetime celebration of returning to normal life.
Brasserie Of Light
This beautifully-designed art deco restaurant, complete with breathtaking Pegasus centrepiece by artist Damien Hirst, is pretty much the perfect setting for any pre-party Instagram snap.
There’s also something to suit everyone on the menu, whatever your tastes may be. The dishes here are all internationally-inspired, with an eclectic mix of cuisines from all over the world – there’s sure to be something to suit everyone.
Manteca
Manteca specialises in several varieties of a dish that we’re sure everyone can agree on: pasta. Located on Great Marlborough Street, Manteca offers a laidback and cosy atmosphere, decorated with plenty of greenery. The restaurant’s first iteration, 10 Heddon Street, quickly climbed the ranks of ‘best restaurant’ lists across London, and the quality of Manteca is very much the same. This is a must-visit, whether it’s your pre-party spot or the place that you stop for lunch the next day!
Where To Warm-Up
There’s nothing quite like settling down in a top-class cocktail bar for a few pre-drinks, is there?
The Connaught Bar
Located at The Connaught hotel, this bar is one of the city’s most exclusive. There is a range of expertly mixed cocktails on offer, as well as all other drinks that may take your fancy. However, Time Out magazine recommends that you make the martini menu your first stop – a trolley is brought over to your table and your drink is mixed right before you.
Kwant
Kwant is a great cocktail spot, with a menu full of classics all given a luxury, modern twist. The bar has a stylish, laidback vibe, the perfect spot to get you and your friends in the mood for the exciting evening ahead – it’s located right in the heart of Mayfair, too.
The Blind Pig
A particularly quirky spot, situated above the award-winning Social Eating House restaurant. This bar offers a menu of cocktails inspired by children’s literature, allowing you to take a trip down memory lane as you enjoy a few beautifully crafted drinks. Bold, vibrant and memorable long after you leave, stopping here is the perfect start to any fun evening.
Where To Let Loose
Where do you go once it’s time for the party to really start?
Fabric
One of the city’s most famous and popular nightlife venues, Fabric is the place for those who are looking to have their evening soundtracked by some of the world’s best and biggest DJs – many of which have played there live themselves. There are three rooms at Fabric, all offering a different genre of music, meaning that you can switch up your spot in the club to match the music you want at that moment.
Printworks London
With a venue capacity of 5,000, Printworks is the home of London’s biggest parties, having featured previous headline shows from Pendulum and The Chemical Brothers. Fans of D&B, hip hop and, of course, EDM will fit right in – and won’t want to leave once the lights come up in the early hours.
XOYO
Yet another venue that has hosted its fair share of big stars (Mark Ronson, Friendly Fires and the legendary Ms Dynamite, just to name a few), XOYO is popular among fans of cutting-edge house, techno and EDM acts. There are two rooms at XOYO, too, with top-class in-house DJs playing from the moment the nightclub opens to long after the sun comes up.
As for what to wear? Well, that’s up to you.
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