Lotus Rooms at Bam-Bou

Small, sumptuous bar hidden away above a restaurant in an original Georgian townhouse.

On the ground floor this sprawling Soho Georgian townhouse hosts an elegant French-Vietnamese restaurant. Tucked away at the top of the house, however, is a collection of small, but sumptuous, interlinked bars and lounges providing the ultimate in Oriental opulence. Rich red walls, blazing fires and secluded niches are perfect for snuggling up in at the end of a long evening. With its antique, gilt mirrors, sumptuous artwork, plush sofas and roaring flames, the decor is a warming mix of Vietnamese simplicity and tarnished French opulence. The drinks are expensive yet luxurious – try the house cocktails for something a bit special – but as the heat of the fires kicks in you’ll need something to exotic to sip. Usual practice is to eat in the restaurant first before heading upstairs for a late-night digestif, but if you just want to drink, you should be able to walk in off the street and head up the rickety stairs into towards the bar. Pinch your nose as you pass through though – if your nostrils catch hold of the smells emanating from the dining room you might not make it to the bar...

Best for:
Oriental opulence, open fires, plush sofas, Vietnamese artefacts, cocktails, nooks and crannies.

Did you know?
This Georgian builing once hosted Ezra Pound’s Vorticist movement.