Bar 190

You can actually drink in a Cinderella’s carriage-​like compartment! The bartender was more than accomodating to us as well. And you can take your drinks into the adjacent little restaurant. It was devilishly quiet when we were there, but that added to the charm and was very relaxing.

We rolled in here lastnight before the London Symphony at Royal Albert Hall and it was like walking into the swinging 1960’s of London. This nostalgic atmosphere was highly assisted by the Rolling Stones portraits up on the wall of the band (including Brian Jones) hanging at the hotel back in the day.
Real chic spot, great mahogany interior with funky seating — — my favorite was two Cindarella chariot seats roped off with a £500 minimum to sit there (once I’m out of my 20’s)
All in all this place was an experience. Very different from what I usually get around work in The City or at home in Shoreditch. Really liked the change-​up, will be stopping by next time I am down in Kensignton.

Even after living in the area for many years and my old university department being just round the corner from this bar, I only recently visited this place a couple of weeks ago.
The bar is part of the Gore Hotel — you enter via the main entrance and the bar is on your left. The interior has a classic feel, dark wood and low lights. I went on a Monday night, so it was reasonably quiet which was an added bonus.
It’s a lovely meet-​up venue for a few casual drinks in a prestigious area — Kensington Gardens and The Royal Albert Hall are just moments away.

Strictly speaking, this is a hotel bar (part of the Gore). But it doesn’t feel like one, and non-​residents are welcome. The décor hasn’t changed much since the 80’s — dark wood, comfy sofas, subtle lighting and candles.
It is a well kept secret considering how close it is to the Royal Albert Hall. Excellent for pre– and post-​theatre drinks, and they even serve some tapas (a bit average, but better than going to see a performance on an empty stomach).

There are not a lot of immediate drinking options in this area near Royal Albert Hall and Hyde Park, and I liked the look of the Gore Hotel, its restaurant (Bistro One Ninety Queen’s Gate) and the bar (which is apparently very popular?), so I suggested that a friend meet me there for drinks when we were both in the neighbourhood. I can’t remember which day of the week it was, but the place was completely empty save for a strange couple in the corner who looked a bit alarmed and a lone man at the bar, hunched over his beer. We sat at the bar and were promptly attended to by a friendly barman (as we were basically the only ones there) who served us very diluted martinis. And NO bar snacks. Not even some nuts? we asked. Crisps? no. Olives? no. Nothing was free — and this is technically a hotel bar. We were forced to order some olives for nearly £4 and then a sad plate of pitta with hummus — or was it guacamole? Whatever, it was not good.
I’m giving the bar 2 stars only because the space was kind of atmospheric and could be cool with the right crowd.