The tapas that came you could order in pairs of 5 was decent. The fries were honestly the best. The fried chicken was nice, but nothing like you will get in the states. In terms of the drinks, they were decent. The ambiance was very loud and I felt like I had to scream over the music and other background noises. I would return, but also wouldn't be mad if I never did. read more

Lovely surroundings, great service and amazing range of drinks. A very cool place for drinks and a catch up or post theatre treat. We loved the art deco style and the connection to the original hotel that was on this site. read more

The staff were/are exceptional and a credit to the company. Well dressed, just the right level of attentiveness, polite and knowledgeable. They are a valuable part of the experience. read more

Great place. I'll be back. The bartenders are true artists. Nice place for a refreshment and people watching. It's downstairs so not obvious from the street. read more

This is where you take someone when you are trying to impress them. Or if you are the great gatsby. The venue itself is hiding several opulent rooms, from a cute French brasserie as you go in to the theatre inspired bars and restaurants downstairs. It's like a French world of wonder and it's also hiding this American bar inside it. Bar-ception... Right so Bar Americain is the sort of bar you give your name at the door, then they sit you at the bar and then they take you to your table, all in an orderly and efficient manner. Then you can select your cocktail which will be priced at at least £10 and will also come with popcorn on the side. You know the place is posh when you get free snacks... The staff are very polite as expected and the atmosphere is quite pleasant. The majority of clients seemed to be there on dates so I guess many people have the right idea. The cocktails we tried were really nice, felt high quality and luxurious. I think it's a great place to go to for a drink, probably too expensive for a full night out but if you're celebrating something or want to treat yourself it's an awesome choice. read more

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I love this place! Just walk in past the upstairs bar and through the corridor downstairs until you see a sign for Bar Américain, follow it and marvel at the Art Deco style decorations while your at it. The bar is absolutely beautiful with dark wooden tables, velvet curtains and soft lighting - everything you could ask for in a 20's prohibition style cocktail bar. Not only is the place quite magical in it's mood and appearance, the bartenders are incredibly skilful and you can probably get one of the best Martinis in London from here. I suggest you try their cocktail menu. My favourite is the Whiskey Sour. The drinks are not cheap, but they are well worth it and it's truly a pleasure to watch them being made. If you want to try something cool, ask for the famous James Bond's Martini, they do it just perfect - shaken not stirred of course ;) They even give cocktail lessons at the bar and those are a brilliant experience! read more

Bar Américain - Just follow the sign :) - Wine Bars Near Me - London, XGL

I love the Wollsey-Dulaney group and stumbled over Brasserie Zedel in January. While lunch and dinner was pre-booked on this weekend trip across the pond, I stopped in the Bar Americain at Zedel for an hour to taste the astmoshphere and experience the cocktails. Americain Bar was the term from the time to denote, that cocktails, mixed drinks were served. Cocktail were new to America. Prior the American cocktail most bars only served beer wine or a liquor with water. The term does not imply any other quality. I think the previous reviewer misunderstood. The mixologist at the bar were amazing, accurate and quick. That being said, the seating for four at the bar are plenty because even with 4 tends, they can barely keep up with the room and the complex but remarkable cocktails. read more

Absolutely fantastic Art Deco-style cocktail bar located in Brasserie Zédel. The atmosphere is very cosy and quiet - much appreciated to escape from the hustle and bustle of busy London streets. Note that I visited on a Sunday evening, so not necessarily peak time. I love the theatre/art deco theme throughout. The booth that I sat in was very comfy. Could easily spend a few hours here drinking cocktails and letting the evening pass by. The cocktail list is classic. And the bartenders know what they're doing. The Boulevardiers I had were on point. And the service was great. You get served popcorn as a bar snack, which was lovely. Overall, a nice experience at a lovely cocktail bar in London. read more

I've walked past this place so many times and written it off as just another food place for the tourists... ... But then a friend of mine who is part of my monthly Sunday club recommended it as a great place for deco interiors and cocktails; two things I love dearly. Tonight, Sunday, I walked in and down, loving the posters on the walls, and into the bar. The servers were busy so I easily located a table and checked out the menu. I always start with an Old Fashioned, it's how I assess a place. It was sweet and with buttery caramel tones. Eminently drinkable. Once my friends had joined me they were served quickly, and as the rounds progressed we were given some complimentary popcorn. The Chrysler cocktail- now that was so good I had three in a row. That's very rare for me. I recommend keeping the fruit in until it's finished - delicious! The service was very good- efficient, discrete and not annoying with constant check backs that 'everything is ok'. It's not the cheapest cocktail place in London but it is classy and off the beaten track- and I will definitely be returning. read more

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A local brought us here to begin a 'posh evening'~ So, originally I wanted to avoid "American" themed places... but this place was too amazing and we just could not resist it. The lounge was bustling with beautiful and well dressed clientele as it was fashion week. The service was excellent and attentive, I found the vibe to be impressive and the atmosphere to be romantic and intimate. Cocktails were crafted perfectly - there are many classics listed on the menu but there is adventure to be found as well - cocktail connoisseurs are welcome. I personally recommend any cocktail with egg whites. read more

Beautiful place. The drinks were well made (albeit pricey). The bartenders definitely know their craft and the bar is well stocked with liquor. They serve popcorn as well. Keep in mind though that this isn't the kind of place you go into expecting the typical pub scene. This is definitely more highlife. I'll go back for sure. read more

Bar Américain - Wine Bars Near Me - London, XGL

Black and gold heaven. Loved the Art Deco style and desperately wanted to take it all home with me, the glasses, the menus, the napkins... I was worried that being slightly hidden away it could feel pretentious or unwelcoming but it wasn't at all. It walks the line of fancy but relaxed and the style is retro without becoming gimmicky. This place is classic at its finest, a brilliant place for a sophisticated cocktail in a stylish setting. I can strongly recommend the house French aperitif, delicious! read more

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We were looking for a place to pass a little bit of time while waiting for a musical just down the road. Originally, the Brasserie sign caught my eye and I thought we'd just have a quick beer. To our pleasant surprise, we stumbled into something that might well have been out of the set from the Great Gatsby. Beautiful venue, quiet and comfortable. Delicious cocktails. Aside from the cost, this would be a place I'd bring friends to just for the environment. read more

A true delight in Central London cocktailery... First, an Aviation to give me wings. Second, the Spritz Americain. After a nothing-but-lovely meal at nearby Nopi, our group of 4 was in search of a few good cocktails to cap the evening. Yelp does it what it says on the tin and points us to the best local option - Bar Americain, located in the art deco building of Brasserie Zedel. The space is a throwback to the days where to get a drink at an establishment one not need go "nuts to butts." Plush and posh, yet familiar and comfortable. The crowd is decidedly older and well dressed, and it seems all are welcome to enjoy in the finery of their drinks list. It felt very warm and welcoming and we were dealt with cordially by both the host and the bartender at the bar while we waited. We were quickly situated with a very nice table from which to enjoy our nightcap. So pleasant. It is no wonder people adore this place so. Character, charisma, but also patience and a sense of genuine enjoyment. My cocktails were a treat. The price tag is fitting of this area, but the drinks and atmosphere are worth it. Pop below street level and find yourself a leather seat at Bar Americain. Get your wings. read more

Interesting spot, which we were able to pinpoint thanks to Alex S' review. As he mentioned, it's located under the Brasserie Zedel. You can sort of see some signage through the doors from outside, but if you don't know where to look it's a hard find. The vibe is old-timey supper club, but it felt a bit contrived to me. Admittedly, we were there on a Monday night so the lounge was nearly empty save for a few tables. Maybe a livelier crowd would make things a bit more exciting. Drinks are pricey, which is fine when they are well-made and delicious. My Spritz Américain was served in an enormous goblet and it was okay but not great; I didn't finish it. If you are a fan of the classic Aperol spritz, I'd suggest ordering one of those, instead. I'd probably opt for another bar next time, but I do think Bar Américain is worth a look. read more

Bar Americain is my favorite cocktail bar in London. Hands down. From the fun, 20's vibe, to the amazing drinks, we find ourselves coming here quite a bit. It's funny because it's right off Piccadilly Circus, and it can get incredibly busy pre-theatre, but I find myself coming back. I think I've tried all the cocktails on the menu (and even some that aren't on the menu!) and they're all incredibly tasty. There may be a couple I would put at the bottom of my list, but I've never had a drink I thought was so terrible I couldn't finish. It's a place I often suggest when meeting up with friends for a cocktail in the afternoon. The food is decent as well (although a bit expensive), but the free containers of popcorn are quite nice to have with the drinks. The drinks aren't cheap though, expect to pay £10-12 a drink, but they definitely aren't weak drinks, and well worth the price! read more

We went for a quick round of drinks after dinner at Brasserie Zedel. We both ordered the Clover Club and really enjoyed it. For me, it was the perfect balance of alcohol and fruitiness. The egg foam on top was very exquisite as well. Ambience was very 20s and jazzy, which I liked. However, it got quite noisy such that we couldn't really hear each other. Wouldn't suggest it if you're looking for a place where you can have a decent conversation. Of course, it would also depend on what day of the week you go -- we went on a Saturday evening. Service was overall good and efficient. However, when it got busy, it did take them a while to bring us drinks and the bill, so allow time for such if you're planning anything before or after. Overall, a solid place for cocktails in the heart of the hustle and bustle. read more

I went here a few weeks back and while it was a lovely 1920's themed American cocktail bar there were a few issues. The drinks menu was inline with the style but was a little minimal for this type of place, many of the London bars like this are have a more superior offering and a wider selection. I suppose there may have been some off menu drinks that could be made but the waitress was too busy to strike up a conversation and get to that point. There was a small line which moved quickly and as we entered the space there was a lovely seat in the corner which looked nice and cosy however on approaching it one of the waiters headed us out of the way saying it had been promised to 3 people and not just two. This for me is quite rude and a little elitist which drops down the overall feel of the place for me. Also when we were given a table (to be fair it didn't take long) it was next to a large column blocking much of the view and pretty much signifying we got the worst seat in the house. The cocktails themselves were nice and the Paprika popcorn (A neat trick) smokey. But we left after one drink to find a better bar in the area due to the above issue. Could be great but need to work seriously on the customer service and making each customer feel special. All in all some positive and worth a look but there are better London cocktail bars out there with more atmosphere. read more

Oh! I've discovered a new favourite! Bar Amercain is beautiful. A stunning nod to the Art Deco era. Where to start? Well, first you've got the Howard Huhes/Aviator infuence with it's lines, thick horzontal strips of wood panelling, topped by airplane wallpaper. Then the references to the Ernest Hemingway/the Great White Hunter with the tiger print carpet. Then bring on the glamour with accents of sleek and shining gold and lighting topping the pillars that's reminiscent of Metropolis. Add the dim and intimate lighting and you feel like you're in a sepia-tone picture. Service is competent and efficient. The cocktails are excellent and the little bowls of popcorn are a nice touch. I've been twice in less than a week and I'll be visiting again. Any opportunity I can get, I'll be there. read more

Not your typical cocktail bar, as this one is more geared towards those liking for a big restaurant style venue, and as such not super friendly or interesting. Drinks are good but not amazing, yet the prices are for the ambiance, because it's BEAUTIFUL inside! For the right group this place might make sense, but for a true cocktail snob this will disappoint. read more

So i've set up a regular date with 2 lawyer friends of mine, we are being all cosmopolitan and going for professional after work cocktails at suitably swanky bars in London. So naturally being all swanky they came to me to decide on the first pace. Criteria, make it central! Thanks to Alex S for a brilliant review on this place I suggested the above for cocktails. Now you know a cocktail date starts well when there is a doorman waiting to open the door for you and guide you into this magnificent 1920's throwback atmosphere. Down some stairs beautifully decorated with vintage French poster paintings and into a lavishly decorated atrium, you spot a number of possible doors that entrance you with their entrances. One leads to a plush restaurant (on the list for a special occasion!), another to the toilets (worth a mention since they are so beautifully decorated) and another welcomes you into an underground cocktail bar. Seated in a deep maroon coloured booth, we were greeted with a smile from the waistcoated bar staff (dressed to period, excellent touch) and presented with complimentary popcorn to enjoy whilst perusing the menu. We enjoyed beautiful cocktails at £9.75 - definitely worth the price in this case! I plumped for a Parisian Summer - beautifully subtle with hints of rose and not overdiluted with the cranberry juice. We also sampled (as a group, doing that thing where you take a sip of everyone's drink to get the full experience!) a ZL Cobbler (niec fruity elements with a splash of liquer to keep you going back for more) and a French Aperitif (lots of bitter flavours but yet not overly bitter). These people know how to mix drinks! I considered giving this 4 stars, we debated and the criticism we had was to add that final spice there should have been some lounge music - background piano or some jazz trio to add that final ambience. As we left to return up the carpeted staircase we came across another bar where an appropriately dressed messieur was tinkling the ivories of a beautiful Steinway grand. Final star, check! read more

Bar Américain - Prohibition bar - Wine Bars Near Me - London, XGL

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Beautiful building that is worth a visit alone. Cocktails are well put together, and reasonably priced - although for a bar heavy in aviation imagery, not putting Creme de violet in your Aviation is lazy. Service was poor, but don't let it worry you, just remove the tip from the bill and enjoy the space. read more

Bar Americain describes itself as a classic American bar and I think that is just funny. Perhaps classic New York, but not classic America in general (if you've ever been anywhere between New York and California you know the difference I speak of). Bar Americain is the bar directly across from Brassiere Zedel - so it's an easy and obvious choice to have a cocktail or two before dinner. We sat at the bar initially and then were moved to table in the back. I found the ambiance here to be quite sexy and great for a first date. Probably more so than the restaurant nextdoor, in my opinion. read more

If you are a fan of lovingly-crafted classic cocktails (no sickly sweet frozen daiquiris here), then get thee to Bar Américain when you are in London. They have an impressive menu of both classic and unique house cocktails. My friends and I managed to sample quite a few of them, and none disappointed. I also loved the lovely art deco décor...I wouldn't have been surprised to see Hercule Poirot or Myrna Loy settled in a corner table. The bar is a tad difficult to find (that just adds to the fun and mystique!), so pay careful attention to the address, and know that it's inside and downstairs. Service was pretty good, though when I first arrived, I was alone and was seated at a table for about 5 minutes without being waited on. I was actually impressed that the host, Fausto, saw that no one had yet come to my table, and personally came over to take my drink order. If you are in Soho, I highly recommend popping in for a relaxing drink or two at Bar Américain...its quiet elegance is worlds away from the hustle and bustle of tourist-filled Soho. read more

Bar Américain - Quiet Art Deco Elegance - Wine Bars Near Me - London, XGL

One of my favourite cocktail bars in London. Daniel and Alex's reviews explain largely why this is...so to avoid repetition, I can confirm that 6 -12 months later I'm thrilled to say all is still as fabulous as per their observations. The decor is gorgeous. The staff all look gorgeous and immaculately dressed. On my last visit, one of the managers, Michael, noticed I'd been here a few times and welcomed me and thanked me for coming back. Hello great service. The bartenders are simply out of this world and one with their craft. If you are into mixology I recommend you find a seat at the bar. You can watch the guys mix and they are receptive to questions about the various liquors or what they are doing. The pricing per cocktail is very reasonable for central London and the drinks are all divine and made to perfection. I am partial to a basic gin martini which, I find, a good example is quite difficult to get in London, and is achieved perfectly here. As with the neighboring Brasserie Zedel, the amber lighting is very complimentary on the skin (i.e., good for dates). Can't believe I've lived in London for years and didn't know this existed. Highly recommended. read more

Great atmospheric bar in a busy part of town. A little hidden away as it's in the basement of Brassiere Zedel , but that just means that it's not too busy! It's a lovely bar, with a old fashioned feel, dark wood and candle light - but not too dark you can't see your drinks! Great drinks menu, and love the varied bar snacks they bring to the table. Always different. Good service, it's not too over the top, but attentive. Its a good place to go before or after dinner, or before the theatre! read more

Love cocktails and an old school feel? Love Bar Americain. Smack dab in the heart of Piccadilly Circus, tucked between the theatres and flashy, over-crowded wine bars calling out to tourists, Bar Americain is an underground refuge. It's got table service, vintage posters, low lighting and a concise cocktail menu that packs a punch - this place is where it's at. Order a classic martini (cocktails are average prices for the area, about £9 a pop but made well) and treat yourself to some bar snacks (we got the olives, which came with nuts and popcorn, too!). Sit back and relax, this place is great for a chat. You won't need to dress up, but once you're inside you'll be itching for a dropped waist dress, floaty fringe and draping pearls. (Or a waistcoat and straw boater hat if that's more your style!) read more

This is a phenomenal cocktail bar - I found it (like most others on here it seems), by reading reviews on Yelp for great bars in the Piccadilly Circus area. It's a very classy, very old-world bar - a very 20's New York vibe, including some of the cocktail names (The Chrysler Cocktail - excellent!). The Londoners I met while there, had nothing but the highest praise for this hidden gem (So don't spread the word too much!) It was a wonderful experience - highly recommended if you're looking for a relaxing place to grab a fantastically crafted cocktail on an evening out - or on a date. read more

Bar Américain - "Valentino's Revenge" - an excellent bitter aged whiskey cocktail - Wine Bars Near Me - London, XGL

Great place. I love the style of the bar and the drinks are really really well made. I would recommend it. read more

Love this cocktail bar. Been twice, really good atomsphere, not loud or overly busy and great old American style Different to other bars! read more

Great decor and good atmosphere, but we had to wait 20 minutes for a glass of wine. We went for drinks before going to the theatre as it had been recommended for this, but not really suitable if you've only got an hour as we had to queue for a table for 10 minutes, then wait 5 minutes for a waitress to order, then had to wait about 15 minutes for our drinks, so half an hour from arrival till getting a drink. We would have had another one, but as we had no idea how long it would take we ordered the bill as soon as the drinks arrived, drank them quickly and left. read more

Decent drinks. Tourist hell. Long wait. If you're over 50 you'll fit right in. This is a "speak easy" that I would expect my parents to find "cool and fun" aka it's a little played out and also not difficult to find whatsoever. You can go to a better cocktail lounge elsewhere. It can be an oasis in the middle of the madness if you're in a pickle and willing to stand in line with Grandpa Joe. read more

I love this place because it is such a hidden surprise. You truly have to know about this one to find it. It's such a fun cocktail place. And to be fair - I've only been for cocktails! But it takes you back into the roaring 20's in style! They have a fun cocktail menu and free popcorn! Great bartenders and staff make it a great place. Definitely a great place to impress a colleague for a drink! read more

Central London has been crying out for a bar like this, Old fashioned cocktails, 1920s ambiance (you feel like you're on a film set for The Godfather) and not pretentious like so many other of the west end bars. It's dark, atmospheric and can be romantic, especially on a quiet week night. The cocktails are classic and short, which I love. They also bring unlimited peanuts and olives so no need to eat afterwards! Love this place so much I've been back 3 times in as many weeks. read more

Very sexy decor and ambiance! But they were out of the brie snack (whhhaaaattt???!!!)...And my whiskey sour tasted quite weak. :( And prices for drinks are quite high, IMO. But the doorman was friendly and helpful as I looked for my party...and nice to look at, haha. I'd get starter drinks elsewhere and come back to Bar Americain. read more

Great cocktails and drinks. The art deco stylr of the bar and the way staff dress does give it a nice touch of the america golden days. I would recommend coming here for 1 2 drinks before going for a show :-) the trickiest part is probably finding the bar but thankfully someone posted a review with direction details! read more

We tried Bar Américain last night. The location for it is excellent, just next to the Piccadilly Circus stop. We were warmly greeted at the door and directed to the bar downstairs. The atmosphere of the bar was amazing. I loved the Art Deco style of it. Upon getting to the bar, we were greeted by a hostess that showed us to a table. It was a Friday night at 8, so there were only a few tables available. The waitress quickly gave us menus. I ordered an Old Fashioned and my date got a Parisian Summer. Both were excellent. The reason I'm giving it 4 stars vice 5 was simply the price. The two drinks were 23 pounds, which is not terrible for that area but I have found better deals. Overall a great place! I'll definitely go again! read more

A perfect place to have a girls' night out, and a lively place to chat up with old friends. Very typical american(more of NYC style) I'd say. It's not like London-style pub house at all. It's a place where you get to sit down in a cosy sofa in front of a small table with warm light given out by the small lamp. Ordered one Cosmopolitan and one American Spritz, 22 pounds plus the service fee, with free salty&spicy popcorn. read more

Really nice cocktail bar with free popcorn and friendly, attentive service. I enjoyed my gin drink with the egg white very much, and my companions also really liked their drinks (can't remember what they got). It's an excellent place for people watching - folks are pretty dressed up and look pretty swanky. read more