A Stag Weekend in London

Considered the playboy’s paradise…well it has to be because it is so damn expensive. London is our beautiful island’s capital but it is a cocktail of nationalities, cuisines, booze and languages…I could go on but you get the picture. London is a stag weekend heaven for those urban dwellers amongst us who fancy tasting a piece of the playboy pie.

Luckily for you I have my stag party finger firmly placed on the London beat (not that dodgy band). You have a choice of North, South, East or West and apart from each area of London hating the other, you have a wealth of diversity on a par with comparing Rio de Janiero with Glasgow.

For the purposes of condensing my urban knowledge into a finite amount of words and not boring the socks off you, I’ll tell you of a few gems in central London – Soho and Fitzrovia to be exact.

Here’s my Top 5:

Vanilla

You’ll need to buzz a door bell to be allowed into this extravagant members’ club, but don’t bottle it because it rocks inside: its all white. The cocktail list is full of exciting combinations – try the combination of gin, honey water and champagne - its lethal.

Milk & Honey

Sister bar of the equally secretive Milk & Honey New York, this place is an intimate and calming alternative to the usual Soho bar scene. 30s swing and jazz provide the background to what may well be the most memorable bar in London. Rules like  "Gentlemen will remove their hats" and "Do not bring anyone unless you would leave that person alone in your home" are intended to be taken seriously.

Albannach

You can check out bonnie London-Tartan creations at Albannach, a whiskey cocktail lounge right on Trafalgar Square. Spread over three floors, the décor has a plush member's-club feel with oak floors, luxurious sofas, antler-chandeliers, floor-to-ceiling windows, and shots of Scottish landscapes on the walls. There are also 40 cocktails to choose from.

Bar Red

Red by name and by nature. This Soho favourite boasts some seriously sexy décor, Spread over two levels, upstairs it's all plush private booths and chandeliers, an ideal spot for lounging with a cocktail. For a livelier night hit the low-lit downstairs bar where live DJs play on most nights.

Lab

A slick cocktail bar with a 70s kitsch-inspired interior of leather and formica. It's a compact and low-lit place spread over two floors, with a laid-back and loungy feel though the real draw here is, of course, the thick cocktail book on each table.

If you’re a stag party ale man then why not go all ‘London’ with a mind shattering cocktail.