Lab reviews
The best martinis in London, without doubt. Really good staff who somehow manage to remember what I like to drink, even though it's off menu and I only go in once every couple of months.
Good atmosphere usually, but incredibly (excessively) packed. It's probably just over-familiarity on my part, but it doesn't quite feel like the cutting edge, super-cool place it was 5 years ago. Could probably benefit from a re-fit. It looks a bit tired and 'turn of the century', particularly downstairs.
by StuH "top london reviewer" (39 reviews), 29 Jun 2008
Good atmosphere usually, but incredibly (excessively) packed. It's probably just over-familiarity on my part, but it doesn't quite feel like the cutting edge, super-cool place it was 5 years ago. Could probably benefit from a re-fit. It looks a bit tired and 'turn of the century', particularly downstairs.
by StuH "top london reviewer" (39 reviews), 29 Jun 2008
The best place I know in London! I love it. When I'm in London I always go there. You must try!
by AMICA_ZOLWICA, 02 Jun 2007
by AMICA_ZOLWICA, 02 Jun 2007
I'm a bartender and I must admit I'd give anything to work in a bar like this - great cocktails, great staff... AMAZING! The right place if you want to impress someone. Love it!
by greeneye50, 25 May 2007
by greeneye50, 25 May 2007
The BEST cocktails in London. Very reasonably priced for the amazing quality, and an incredible place to start the night out. How can these crap members' bars charge 12 quid for a simple mixer when this place has the most knowledgeable bar staff I've come across and uses the best ingredients to make delicious cocktails for just £6-£8??
by Anonymous, 21 Mar 2007
by Anonymous, 21 Mar 2007
I love this place. Cocktails are amazing (they only use fresh fruit, no puree) and they'll make anything you ask, or will make something special if you tell them what kind of flavours you like. Very relaxed and friendly punters, which is great. Awesome cocktails can't be made in a minute and so I would never go on a Friday/Saturday as it's too busy. Pick a 'school night' and you will have a great time.
by Wagonface (4 reviews), 13 Oct 2006
by Wagonface (4 reviews), 13 Oct 2006
Aside from the fact that the cocktail staff seriously know their stuff, Lab has a brilliant and scarily extensive menu. Want to fork out £18 for a drink? No problem. Fancy a Solero but can't be arsed to eat an ice cream? They've got one with booze in.
Where it's less than brilliant is, as has already been said, the chronic seating and the music which is a bit crap really. Never mind. If you manage to catch Lab on a quiet evening you'll be spoiled rotten. Otherwise you'd be better off just nipping in for a quick one.
by KinkyFantastic (4 reviews), 10 Oct 2006
Where it's less than brilliant is, as has already been said, the chronic seating and the music which is a bit crap really. Never mind. If you manage to catch Lab on a quiet evening you'll be spoiled rotten. Otherwise you'd be better off just nipping in for a quick one.
by KinkyFantastic (4 reviews), 10 Oct 2006
Out of date. Much much better cocktail bars out there. A must visit bar though, as it has helped put London cocktail drinking on the map.
by jammy, 13 Jul 2006
by jammy, 13 Jul 2006
Amazing cocktails! 7 quid a pop, but what a menu they have!
Great crowd of people, funky and fun atmosphere. Staff have to be the best in London!
by riptalon, 21 May 2006
Great crowd of people, funky and fun atmosphere. Staff have to be the best in London!
by riptalon, 21 May 2006
I've been to this place loads and I've never been disappointed. I love watching the bar people do their thing, and the cocktails are to DIE for. It has a really relaxed atmosphere and the people are friendly. Good place to go for one or two, as it's rare to find a seat at the weekend.
by orange69, 07 Feb 2006
by orange69, 07 Feb 2006
Just nothing but goodness. Get there early and enjoy the incredibly laidback barstaff. Get there late and party like hell! Walked out Friday night with ice down my back and seared eyeballs on the wrong end of something called 'shot o'clock'. No idea how those guys get through the week. Venue wasn't the sexiest, but that's really not what you take home with you.
by pooki, 04 Nov 2005
by pooki, 04 Nov 2005
What a funky, fresh, original bar! It's sad to admit, but you get a sense of pride just by being permitted to go in there by the fussy doorman! Once you step inside, the atmosphere just takes you over. And as for the bar staff; they're the best going! Tell them exactly what kind of food/flavour you're in the mood for, and they'll create a cocktail to suit your craving! My boyfriend decided to say "a roast dinner" jokingly, but amazingly, the barman whisked up a cocktail that kind of met that criteria! Try it for yourself, 100% guaranteed to have a great time!
by Anonymous, 26 Sep 2005
by Anonymous, 26 Sep 2005
Great bar staff and an incredible cocktail menu... they've opened a sister bar in Mumbai - so if anyone ever gets a chance to visit there, then let us know!! I'll be in India next year, and am definitely going to be checking it out!
by FairyC, 15 Jun 2005
by FairyC, 15 Jun 2005
I had the best night ever here. The drinks are amazing and the staff are definitely the best in the business. If you're after a quieter drink, go early in the evening. But if you're after a party don't leave until they kick you out!
by Anonymous, 11 May 2005
by Anonymous, 11 May 2005
This really is the best cocktail bar in London. Central, urban and retro. What a shame the girl on the door is so precocious. Does she not realise that it's the customers business that pays her wages? She seems to want to turn everyone away!
by Anonymous, 04 Feb 2005
by Anonymous, 04 Feb 2005
It's overcrowded but that's the point. You bump into lots of people, end up chatting and find a new friend. The table service is rubbish - not really surprising when the average table for four has 17 people squashed round it.
The crowd is 25-40 erring on the 25 side. Lots of hip young things starting out their careers in something soho-ish and sometimes their bosses. People often seem to be having too much fun which is probably chemically enhanced. However, they're still jolly not seedy.
by Anonymous, 07 Jan 2005
The crowd is 25-40 erring on the 25 side. Lots of hip young things starting out their careers in something soho-ish and sometimes their bosses. People often seem to be having too much fun which is probably chemically enhanced. However, they're still jolly not seedy.
by Anonymous, 07 Jan 2005
Absolutely adore this place! I go back time and again and the cocktails are amazing! The bar is small, yes, a little cramped sometimes but always a fantastic night out. Love it.
by Anonymous, 28 Dec 2004
by Anonymous, 28 Dec 2004
Can get very crowded, but that's because it's such a great place to be! Fantastic atmostphere, and incredible cocktail menu, but don't waste time trying to decide for yourself - tell the bartenders what kind of thing you like, and let them demonstrate why they work in one of the best bars in London.
by Anonymous, 06 Nov 2004
by Anonymous, 06 Nov 2004
Have we missed a great bar in London? Let us know.
