Mayfair is one of the most exclusive districts in London – and with good reason. Those new to the capital and Mayfair, in particular, will be fascinated to find the area is teeming with lavish places to eat, drink, play and unwind.
If you want to enjoy a decadent night out in London, once you set foot in Mayfair you’ll never need to leave. Although it might not be the most cost-effective way to experience London’s nightlife, these five venues in and around Mayfair will provide a sense of grandeur unlike any other corner of the capital.
The May Fair Bar
Located within the Mayfair Hotel, the May Fair Bar is one of the most sophisticated cocktail bars in the West End. It has an exclusive residency featuring Hendrick’s gin, resulting in an “iconic collaboration” for Mayfair’s leisure scene. The bar contains lots of intimate booths that can be reserved for special occasions and events. The May Fair Bar is one of the places to be in Mayfair for celebrating New Year’s Eve, with its ‘Soiree’ at May Fair Bar offering signature experiences for between two and six guests.
12 Hay Hill
12 Hay Hill is a private members club in the heart of Mayfair. The six-storey complex is a melting pot of individuals, including entrepreneurs and industry professionals. If you are planning to live and work in London, 12 Hay Hill could be a great place to connect and network. You can also use 12 Hay Hill as a base to work, with co-working hubs attached to the members club. There are private dining rooms that can be rented on the first and fourth floor, perfect for working lunches, seminars and even social catch-ups.
Hakkasan Mayfair
If you are someone with a penchant for Asian flavours, look no further than Hakkasan Mayfair. It is the second of two Hakkasan restaurants in the area, with the brand holding a richly deserved Michelin star for its approach to Cantonese cuisine that London’s Evening Standard once described as “sophisticated” and “pretty darn sexy”. With a smart dress code, Hakkasan Mayfair is the ideal date location, with intimate, dim lighting creating an indulgent dining experience. Hakkasan has expanded beyond Mayfair and London and boasts eateries in the Middle East, Asia and the US (Las Vegas and Miami).
The Hippodrome Casino
Only a 10–15-minute walk from Hakkasan, you’ll find one of the most popular land-based casinos in all of London. Fortunately, it’s also on the fringes of Mayfair. The Hippodrome Casino on Leicester Square is a state-of-the-art gaming and entertainment venue, providing a host of classic casino table games including blackjack, roulette and poker. It has recently refurbished its poker rooms, resulting in a thriving poker tournament schedule and popular cash game tables daily. Its reputation now precedes itself in the global poker scene, some of the most exciting festivals and live events for the best poker professionals in the world.
The Colony Club
If you are feeling lazy and you don’t want to take the ten-minute walk to the Hippodrome, Mayfair also offers The Colony Club, which is it’s own globally recognised casino. It’s free to become a member of The Colony Club, which makes it easy for one-time visitors to enter and have fun. It is open daily between 2 pm and 6 am, with a host of table games offered including baccarat and Three Card Poker. VIP gaming tables are also available, positioned under stunning chandelier canopies. Meanwhile, the on-site restaurants are the perfect place to catch a delicious bite to eat and a drink or two in between the action at the tables.
Although this high-quality quintet of establishments in Mayfair should be enough to float your boat, there are plenty more locations and attractions in the vicinity where they came from. Nobu on Old Park Lane is another sumptuous eatery worthy of a mention. Meanwhile, Ginza St. James’s is another fantastic eye-opener into authentic Japanese cuisine. Delicious food, high-class entertainment and great beverages. Whatever you need, it’s all available on tap in Mayfair.
