AKA reviews
Had a blast at AKA last Saturday. We had to queue up for 10 minutes because they were so busy. The friendly doormen opened the door and actually said "Good evening", which is not as common as it should be in London. Once inside we could see why it was so busy. The bar is fantastic. It's difficult to remember a bar with such an array of spirits and some wonderfully well crafted cocktails. The menu has a good selection of the classics as well as some in-house creations. We were served by a lovely chap who knew how to make us feel welcome even though the place was packed. It's not cheap but then again it is in town. I couldn't fault the service and my only gripe was that I thought the music was too loud. It can get a bit busy at times but, all in all, a great night out. I will be back.
by margedunn, 01 Oct 2008
by margedunn, 01 Oct 2008
Saturday night was brilliant! All about the cocktails and the dancing. The best DJs in the West End.
by BarkerA (2 reviews), 29 Sep 2008
by BarkerA (2 reviews), 29 Sep 2008
It's unfortunate but this place really has gone downhill in the past couple of years (many of the favourable reviews were written in 2006). Comments about aggressive and unhelpful security staff are very true. On Friday night we were queuing round the corner from 9pm despite the place being half empty! When we were heading in we were told it would be £7 despite the night being advertised on the door as free before 10pm. We argued the point and probably only got in because there were a mixed group of twelve of us.
Inside things weren't much better. Trading standards should take a look at their drinks menu that claims a standard measure is 50ml and yet when you order a drink off that menu they charge you double the list price! This underhand behaviour aimed at extracting as much money from patrons as possible, plus the general lack of customer service or respect, seem to be an increasingly common experience at places like AKA. But the sad thing is, this used to be a nice place to have an evening out.
The layout of the place is not great either, with a very large (reserved) seating area meaning you can stand either like cattle by the bar or on the dance floor. Judging by Friday's music, that's got downhill too. It's all very generic house - nothing familiar, nothing unusual and no dynamic or thread in any of the tunes played. I shan't be back.
by ronanhodge, 16 Sep 2008
Inside things weren't much better. Trading standards should take a look at their drinks menu that claims a standard measure is 50ml and yet when you order a drink off that menu they charge you double the list price! This underhand behaviour aimed at extracting as much money from patrons as possible, plus the general lack of customer service or respect, seem to be an increasingly common experience at places like AKA. But the sad thing is, this used to be a nice place to have an evening out.
The layout of the place is not great either, with a very large (reserved) seating area meaning you can stand either like cattle by the bar or on the dance floor. Judging by Friday's music, that's got downhill too. It's all very generic house - nothing familiar, nothing unusual and no dynamic or thread in any of the tunes played. I shan't be back.
by ronanhodge, 16 Sep 2008
Terrible door man and management! The whole place operates like a military camp. You have to queue up to go outside for a smoke. While I'm out there, the door man keeps shouting at the crowd to move to the end (when we're already packed like sardines). The toilets are a disgrace. The lady in charge of the VIP area cannot be asked to put their special band on my wrist (because she claims that she will remember me) and I could not get back up when this lady is on her break and her very rude supervisor could not use her brains to check the guest list before throwing me out. What a shambles!! To be fair, the DJ and bar deserve credit, but the arrogant, rude and snobbish people at the doors ruin the entire experience.
by Amelie010, 06 Jul 2008
by Amelie010, 06 Jul 2008
TERRIBLE DOORMEN! They left me and my friends standing in the cold while they harrassed us about our i.d. We're all 21 and yet they felt the need to treat us like criminals, even though we all had valid passports! They made a point of telling us how 'lucky' we were to get in; however, all we found inside was a tiny dancefloor and badly placed furniture, leaving no room but upstairs... which was nothing special.
by holly1, 13 Mar 2008
by holly1, 13 Mar 2008
AKA on a Tuesday night is fantastic! Can get a bit crowded but the music is heaven to my ears!
by Anonymous, 07 Dec 2006
by Anonymous, 07 Dec 2006
That's odd they don't serve Bacardi and the Coke comes fresh from cans instead of that post mix rubbish most bars use. And a double spirit and mixer now costs 5.80.
I love this place they really now what they are doing and for central London I think the prices are reasonable especially compared to similar establishments of such class.
by tex, 05 Jun 2006
I love this place they really now what they are doing and for central London I think the prices are reasonable especially compared to similar establishments of such class.
by tex, 05 Jun 2006
Nice venue but drink prices are absolutely ridiculous. £5.50 for a flat Bacardi & Coke?!
by Edward Catflap, 27 Feb 2006
by Edward Catflap, 27 Feb 2006
I go there almost every Friday. I don't like Saturdays cos it is way too crowded. It is one of the best bars in London.
by Anonymous, 23 Sep 2005
by Anonymous, 23 Sep 2005
When I went I just couldn't decide what drink to have... Their bar display is huge. A really nice, laidback venue early on, then the DJs start and fab... Very Impressed.
by Anonymous, 14 Sep 2005
by Anonymous, 14 Sep 2005
There just isn't anywhere this good in London... this place has it all. Great bar staff, amazing back bar, top class music...
by Anonymous, 26 Nov 2004
by Anonymous, 26 Nov 2004
Have we missed a great bar in London? Let us know.
