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Article: BarChick's best LFW bars

BarChick's best LFW bars
Little Black Book

BarChick's best LFW bars

Whether you're a born and bred Londoner or a fashionista flirting with the capital for Fashion Week it pays to know the hottest after-party haunts (and the dresses you need to visit them in, of course). And here they are, courtesy of the coolest chick on the bar-block, Suzie Dowty of BarChick, the online guide to the coolest hangouts and chicest champagne bars across the country...
WHAT Qui Qui Ri Qui WHY We all love a good Mexican and of course tequila is our happy drink after a long day of FROW-ing, but things are taking a new step with a brand new mescal bar opening over Eastside. Welcome Qui Qui Ri Qui (aka Cock-a-doodle-do in Spanish). It's the first genuine mezcal bar in London with some of the finest straight out of Mexico. You can drink these bad boys straight, although at 55% watch yourself.. things could get a little loco.. especially if they manage to get the 5am licence like they're trying to. We'll be heading straight from the dancefloor to Somerset House, then! WEAR For a hint of sexy señorita (and a big dollop of wear-now-wear-in-the-morning-too!) we recommend this sultry lace LBD from Lipstick Boutique, ¬£75.
WHAT 69 Colebrooke Row WHY It's hard to find, but worth the perseverance. Look for a lantern above a door which will lead you into this New York Prohibition styled den of perfect drinks. Tony C is at the helm, he's both dashing and one of the best mixologists in town. He's got it all covered, from putting Horseradish vodka in your Bloody Mary, to charging your Almond Blossom with prosecco. He even has a genuine lab upstairs (not a chat up line, we promise!). Jazz nights are on Thursdays and Sundays and dancing is compulsory especially during fashion week, see you there. WEAR Razzle dazzle 'em in your best flapper style dress, we love Aftershock's Taziya Embellished Dress, Was ¬£205, Now ¬£145.30. WHAT American Bar at The Savoy WHY When Yankee bartenders found themselves out of work thanks to Prohibition, some jumped the pond to find work, the best ones came here. The bartenders over the years have become as famous as the constant stream of celebrity guests who frequent the place. Harry Craddock's Savoy Cocktail Book is still the bartender's bible, and Frank Sinatra used to sneak in after hours to play the piano. You get it, this place is legendary. And yes you'll have to dress nicely. Come on – it's not a pub and they don't allow dozens of people to pack in and elbow each other at the bar, so you can relax and enjoy your £14 drink in peace. Trust us when we say these pricey punches are worth their weight in liquid gold. WEAR Dress like you belong in an old Hollywood glam-style full-length frock. The Reiss Kerensa Raspberry Pleated Maxi, Was £350, Now £210, is sure to turn a few heads. WHAT Bar Americain WHY A beautiful, art deco bar hidden safely below the chaos of Piccadilly Circus. What used to be the legendary Atlantic bar, this new offering is sultry and damn fine. Dress up (or alternatively sit amongst Disney-clad tourists in your finery) and revel in your surroundings. Expect gold gilding, dark wood panelling, animal print carpets, beautiful wartime wallpaper and twinkling lamps giving off a sexy ambience — this is the place to take a killer date, or, failing that, your parents. WEAR We suggest going slinky and silky in the Bourne Mabel Dress, Was £135, Now £74.25, which comes in Disney Princess pink should you wish to mingle with the sightseeing clientèle. WHAT Opium Cocktail and Dim Sum Parlour WHY This place is epic, there are two floors of fun to be had, with countless rooms, each with a different personality. Relax with a book in the (tea) cupping area, jump your date Orient Express style or check out the bar where spirits have been decanted into apothecary style bottles only labelled with Chinese numeric characters (tough boss – those bartenders had to learn Chinese). Dre Masso's drinks list is all about cocktails inspired by the Orient and they are served with flare. The Opium cocktail No 1 comes with a vial of chi–enhancing ginseng and is presented to you billowing with smoke! WEAR Channel your inner Geisha in this floor-trailing, batwing one-shoulder number by Emba. It's just £65 and will take you from room to room in style. WHAT The Gilbert Scott WHY This beautiful space is the epitome of opulence, bursting at the seams with all its Gothic splendour. If it's cocktails you want after a long day catwalk side, perch at the beautiful dark marble bar and revel in your surroundings. To begin, order their house cocktail, the 1873, made with aromatic gin, apple and rhubarb with cranberry juice and ‘fizz'. The bar snacks are enviable too (after all it is run by Marcus Wareing's team); order pork crackling with apple sauce, salt and pepper squid and George's chips, or save your money and just nail the free popcorn. Size zero, shcmero. WEAR Compliment the elegant surroundings with a chic wrap-over midi dress by The Pretty Dress Company, £95. Not only will you look the part but it won't matter how much you indulge, this is a figure flatterer for all shapes and sizes! WHAT Mark's Bar at Hix Soho WHY It takes a committed boozer to set up a decent bar, so by that logic, Mark's bar was always going to be a classic. It's underneath the (decent) restaurant in soho, and whilst they're very friendly they do run a fairly tough door when its busy. If you're having dinner, know the crew, or hanging with the LFW elite then you'll make it down OK, otherwise be sure to book. The drinks list is vast (Punch Bowls, the Bishop, the delicious but deadly Hix Fix?), quirky and fun. Be sure to all hail the Ale here too as Mark has won awards for his selection. WEAR Bypass the queues outside in a striking but relaxed number. We love this Silence Beyond Syllables half-peplum style dress, £159, which is the perfect amount of sophistication and look-at-me fashion. WHAT Banca WHY It's suave and a bit flash in here, but dress up and go with it. This place is bringing a piece of Milano to Mayfair by serving up a selection of aperitvo (aka Milan's answer to tapas) alongside their aperitifs. Perch at the chic long Milan style bar and enjoy the award winning cocktail Mora Lisa made up of Don Julio Blanco tequila, Cointreau, blackberry puree and freshly grated lime. The charming Italian barmen are more than happy to recommend their chosen tipples and the style credentials of their favourite Italian women too– those stallions know their stuff. WEAR Go flirty and oh so fashion with a Milano twist in this sumptuous scalloped navy piece by Scarlett Black, £170, it comes in cream here too. WHAT Pollen Street Social WHY The bar has got an unpretentious feel for somewhere so highly rated so is the perfect place to wind down in after a hectic LFW schedule. This place has a reputation for its amazing food from chef Jason Atherton (Michelin * within his first year), but we reckon the bar is just as impressive with 57 different gins on offer. Tell them BarChick sent you and they'll squeeze you in between the pre-dinner drinkers. Stop by in the morning before heading to Somerset House and indulge in the 'Cereal Killer', it's got Coco Pops infused milk and is served up with a garnish of cookies! WEAR Go smart-casual in Mrs.Blak's Swing Dress, £145, and add lashings of statement jewels or a black faux fur stole for that high fashion edge. WHAT The Apothecary Bar – House of Wolf WHY Think bartenders in lab coats, vintage bottles on glass shelves, a white tiled bar and Narnia looking street lamps. The ingredients stored away in the apothecary drawers make for some exceptional drinks too. The David Bellamy changes flavour once the garnish has been eaten and the Over The Pop with popcorn infused Makers Mark bourbon comes hugged in bubble wrap with a popping candy garnish! These cocktails are great icebreakers so bring clients or your fashion week team along for the ride. There's also a hidden Fainting Room; make it your mission to find it and enjoy provocative art and a lot more privacy, if you know what we mean. WEAR Experimental and stylishly daring is the only way to go at this fun venue so we recommend Kelly Ewing's Kayla Dress, ¬£100. If you're a little conscious of flashing the flesh smarten up in this gorgeous tailored velvet jacket for just £77. Shop all the best LFW after party dresses here. For more of the best drinking dens across the country, tried and tested by BarChick, visit the website here.

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