Mahiki reviews
I went here a while ago and I could count the amount of people in there on one hand. We received a sarcastic and patronizing tone from the barman. Our drinks - one rum and two beers - all tasted absolutely disgusting. If it wasn't for their price tags we would have left instantly. Instead we sipped as much as we could (which wasn't much), got up and left - all within 10 minutes of arriving.
by GeoNeo, 28 Apr 2008No one cares about what you can afford watt. Some of the best cocktails in London and a laid back vibe only spoiled by boring rich people with no dress sense. The only reason 'suits' get charged £800 minimum spend for a table is because they don't bring any atmosphere to the club, so they may as well bring some money in!
by cocktailchris, 13 Feb 2008Cost £800 minimum for a table on a Wednesday night at 12am for 6 people. Could I afford it? Yes. Was it worth it? NO!!!
by Watt, 06 Dec 2007I went to Mahiki last night (Saturday) and I don't think I could have had any more fun! You feel so comfortable and the staff are hilarious - I haven't laughed so much in ages.
The music was spot on, playing some forgotten party classics (I wish I was a little bit taller!) and some real bangers. I just loved walking down those stairs knowing we were walking in to a party!
The drinks were phenomenal and put together quickly (it wasn't too busy) and with sooo much skill and attention, even love!
The door and security staff were pretty ominous though, but I guess that's what they're there for. I can imagine the freedom you get from a place like this can be a bit much for people who take themselves too seriously.
My bartender looked like a chipmunk and was wearing a pair of broken sunglasses with no lenses that he had found at a festival in Oz! How's that for putting the fun into a night out (are they supposed to be enjoying themselves so much?!).
I will definitely go back to Mahiki next time I'm down in London and with any luck I'll be able to write more great things about it on the long train journey north.
This is a venue in London for people who aren't going out to be seen to be seen. You don't have to be 'with it' or look like you're going for a boy-band audition. Yes, the drinks are expensive (all good cocktails in London are) but they have some of the most imaginative barmen there, who are always willing to try something off the extraordinary menu. An A+ for imaginative and tasty cocktails, and a gold star for relaxed, cheesy, 'I'm-here-to-have-fun' music. Yes, it can be difficult to get in and, yes, it can get packed (which isn't so much fun) but that's the price you have to pay for a good cocktail bar.
by Johan (2 reviews), 10 Oct 2007I went a couple of weeks ago. The bouncers are rude (as always), but the bar staff were great. People were a bit old and boring, drinks were nice but not cheap. I like the fact that they don't let just anyone in (although a few slimeballs still manage it somehow). Good cheesy wedding music. Nothing bad, nothing good, just average.
by safron (3 reviews), 05 Aug 2007I went there yesterday evening to celebrate my 19th birthday with 5 girlfriends, only to be told after lighthearted banter with the bouncer that it was over 21s. Since when? The bouncer couldn't answer and was going to let us in if a tacky-looking guy in a sunhat hadn't said (within earshot of us) that "It's over 21s, not 18s yeah". He obviously had some sort of connection to the club, but I find that behaviour completely unprofessional and unacceptable. You cannot just decide on the door to change the policy. We were not drunk and we were all dressed appropriately. For this reason, I do not rate Mahiki at all. Unprofessional and rude.
by anonymous411, 01 Aug 2007I had the misfortune to visit this tacky bar on Friday 13 July 2007 - unlucky for some! I proceeded to ask for 2 vodka/cranberry juices and was charged an absolute fortune, especially as the glasses were full of ice! We then decided to stand near a table, which was reserved, no doubt for some has-been. A waitress dressed in a frumpy orange and cream dress that looked like some kind of building society uniform was guarding this bloody table as if her life depended on it! It was so pathetic to observe. The only pleasure I had was slamming my drink on the so-called reserved table and walking out, watching her squirm in horror and disbelief that anyone would dare disturb her precious reserved table.
Pretentious and pathetic. I would not recommend this bar to anyone. The people are false and the place is an overrated hole in the wall.
Great bar! Had a fantastic time - got in without a reservation and staff were helpful. I met a guy for only a short time - he seemed to know everyone and bought me a pina colada!
by karly, 24 Jun 2007Cool retro tongue-in-cheek nafforama bananas. The most fun I've had in a while.
by robin t, 12 Jun 2007Mahiki might just be my favourite club in London (though I guess it's technically not a club). I've been both during the week and on weekends and it's great whenever, just a slightly different crowd. Everyone here's just up for a good time, and the amazing drinks certainly help.
The decor is great and actually not as cheesy as I was expecting, though the place itself isn't that big. The music is loads of fun (I tend to prefer something I can sing and dance to than regular club music). Upstairs is a bit more chilled - tropical type music (they played lots of Beach Boys last time I was there), and downstairs the DJ is wedding style, playing everything from chart stuff to oldies.
The crowd is young and trendy and thankfully not as sleazy as at most other venues in the West End (sorry boys, no slutty girls in hotpants). Cover isn't too steep; the drinks can be pricey, but they're worth it. The cocktail list is really well put together, the drinks are creative and interesting, and they definitely pack a punch. If you sit in the upstairs lounge area the cocktail list is a bit more extensive and the drinks come in really funky vessels.
Staff inside the venue are great and really chilled and I didn't have any trouble with the door staff. Since there's no guestlist, queues can be a bit long on weekends, but as long as you're nice to the bouncers they don't give you any grief. All in all, Mahiki's a great place for a crazy, care-free night out!
Garbage! I've been to French Polynesia and I don't remember it smelling like a drain! Staff nice enough but sloooow service. I really can't understand what the hype is about, it's no more than a shabby theme bar.
by Tokyo (2 reviews), 01 Jun 2007I had the best cocktails ever! I will definitely go back with my friends for a drink during the week. Staff at the bar were really nice and friendly.
by kikkina (3 reviews), 08 May 2007Went to Mahiki last week. Haven't been there since it was called Nell's a couple of years ago. It was cool, fresh and the staff were friendly. I will definitely come back with my friends.
by Strawberry, 13 Apr 2007I had such a fun night at Mahiki on Thursday. Amazing decor, drinks and crowd. Prince William and Sienna Miller were there! You must try the treasure chest cocktail for 10. Service could have been quicker, but can't wait to go again.
by Marco1975, 04 Jan 2007Awful, awful bar. Staff are so rude and officious and seem to enjoy enforcing pointless rules like not letting us sit at an empty table. The Tiki theme really is just a front and all the staff seem to hold their customers in utter contempt. The only people with any social skills were the toilet attendants.
by SusanC, 20 Dec 2006Brilliant place - cocktails to die for and friendly service. The decor is pretty exotic. Decent crowd. Would definitely go again... Only one gripe: there were only two cubicles in the women's toilets and one was out of order.
by Jetleon, 17 Dec 2006Have we missed a great bar in London? Let us know.
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