Looking for somewhere new to enjoy a cocktail in London? Here are my tips on London's new bars opening this autumn.
Ling Ling at Hakkasan Hanway Place
The original Hakkasan, located at 8 Hanway Place, launched their new bar 'Ling Ling' on Thursday 1st November. Every week from Thursday to Saturday inclusive, at approximately 11pm until 2.30am, Hakkasan Hanway Place will move from a restaurant into a late night lounge.
High profile DJs will play monthly including Mr Hudson, Claude Challe (of original Buddha Bar fame) as well as Daisy Lowe and Pixie Geldof. The full dining menu will be available until 12.30am and guests can choose from a signature Ling Ling menu of small eats and dim sum from 11pm until 1.30am.
Buddha-Bar London, Knightsbridge
Buddha-Bar arrived in London's Knightsbridge from 1 November. First established in Paris in 1996, Buddha-Bar London 'will blend Far Eastern cuisine with Western tastes and influences' offering a menu with Chinese, Japanese, Thai and other Eastern flavours. Buddha-Bar London is set over two floors with an excellent cocktail list and live DJs.
Reverend JW Simpson, Fitzrovia
From the people behind Bourne & Hollingsworth, Reverend JW Simpson is a new cocktail bar that opened on Goodge Street in late October 2012. An intimate space with the cocktail list focusing on Fizzes, Flips, Cobblers, Smashes and Sours, the drinks are mixed and served at the table.
The bar retains the original room dividers, wall coverings, flooring and tiles of the apartment that originally occupied the site, subtly exposing the former building's kitchen, bathroom, living room and bedroom.
Baroque, Mayfair
The latest venture from nightlife entrepreneur Gerry Calabrese, Baroque is located on the ground floor of the Playboy Club on Old Park Lane and claims to have the most extensive vintage Champagne list in Europe!
Having undergone an extensive refurbishment, the venue has been transformed into a sumptuous space with lavish colours, heavy drapes, Louis XIV chairs and antique mirrors. Baroque opened on 4 October.
2 & 8 Club at Morton's, Mayfair
Morton's Club has relaunched its nightclub as the 2 & 8 Club, with Jake Parkinson-Smith and Carlo Carello, previously at Boujis, in charge. The club is open until 3am from Tuesday to Saturday.
Bounce, Holborn
Hot on the heels of Ping, which opened late summer 2012, Bounce is a new ping pong bar and restaurant from one of the co-founders of bowling venue All Star Lanes. Bounce will offer a mix of 'table tennis, cocktails, dining and eclectic beats'.
There is also a private room available for exclusive hire featuring three specially commissioned ping pong tables alongside a private cocktail bar and DJ booth.