London town, Mayfair, cocktails, a beautiful lady, Playboy bunnies and it’s my birthday. It all takes you back to London in the swinging 60’s. Playboy is one of those great American institutions and the story of Playboy is real insight into American culture. For many years there had not been a Playboy club in London but earlier on this year they reopened at 14 Old Park Lane. Housed in a what looks like a 60’s building you are surrounded by the great London hotels.
Greated by suited doorman we were escorted into Salvatore’s, the cocktail bar named after renowned mixologist and cocktail expert Salvatore Calabrese who has personally researched the history of traditional cocktails from as far back as the 16th century.
We arrived quite early so the bar was relaxed but friendly. I was particularly impressed by the knowledgeable barman. From an interiors perspective the look embodies the history of Playboy with a mixture of Arabian and some inspiration from the 60’s.
After a relaxing drink we moved onto the restaurant upstairs which also houses the casino, the smoking room, Gentlemans Tonic and another bar. The restaurant area is furnished in what may be termed modern dining.
We both had seafood starters which were excellent, tasty and well presented.
The main course had to be the specially raised beef “Wagyu NY Strip” with a mixture of side dishes. Though highly original they differ quite a lot from standard British taste, which is just to say expect it creamy. Finally onto an desert which was straight out of the film “Grease” American Cheese Cake and Vanilla Ice Cream Sundae.
Next to us were some business clients and Arabic gentlemen, all of whom seemed to be both friendly and at ease as it was home from home for them.
Arrived about 9pm, left just before 2am at which time The Cottontail Lounge was alive with people dancing. What I really liked about my evening was that it was different, in a good way, to many other evenings on offer in London and to leave well fed, relaxed and happy must be a good thing,
Playboy Club London
www.playboyclublondon.com
14 Old Park Lane
Mayfair
London
W1K 1ND
+44 (0) 207 491 8586
UA-12173123-3
