Bucket list- gin palace, big fat tick for this one! My gorgeous friend brought me here on recommendation from a work colleague, it's central but enough off the beaten track to miss the oxford street rush that just makes my blood pressure a bit too high. We walked in not expecting it's sheer popularity, without a booking (I'm so used to soho and soho adjacent places to not allow them anyway...) and they managed to squeeze us in. We were presented with menus and the advice of knowledgeable gorgeous ladies, who even double checked on the suggestion of a change on the twist to match the gin. I could have quite happily sat and drank my way through the entire menu, but unfortunately was unable due to work night and health reasons, boo! But we did sample these lovely numbers; Cherry raspberry and coriander smash Spiced martini The sorbets The "ginfluenced" beef and damson gin pie Strawberry and basil champagne fizz Williams coupe And they were all, ruddy lovely!!! Highly recommended read more

See all

The Star is a really authentic little café in the heart of Soho. There are a number of things that give it a timeless and authentic feeling, but my favourite is the wall decoration. There are some really cool, really old, metal advertisement signs for beer, soap, mustard etc., that fill the back wall. I really love it when cafes use things like that, as it can make your whole experience so much better. Of an evening, the café does tapas and cocktails. I am yet to try the tapas, but I did have a really delicious margarita. There is a full bar menu on offer and the place is pretty busy on Fridays and Saturdays. read more

The Star At Night - Cafes Near Me - London, XGL

For a more low key alternative to the brazen hussiness of Candy Bar, check out this lesbian bar drifting amidst the plethora of skulking backstreets of Soho's triangulated network. Not so much a cruising joint or pulling palace, this bar offers Mediterranean tablecloths, delicious Mojitos and a more intimate arena to tete a tete with your amour. read more

This has become a firm favourite. Off the beaten track, but still remarkably central it's a true star. Home of Gin Club, if that's your tipple you will be spoiled for choice - highlights were Treasure's Gin, which tastes like rum and three delicate gin sorbets. I kinda want to tell everyone about this place, but still keep it a secret. So shhhhhhh! read more

The Star At Night - Cafes Near Me - London, XGL

Oooh what a hidden gem in the hustle and bustle of Soho!! Never even knew this place existed and especially with all the construction works nearby it's easy to overlook. I do recommend booking as it seems to be a place that gets busy, but my friend booked so I was lucky enough to get a lovely table downstairs. This place is really quirky and the decor is brilliantly made up of posters and famous slogans from the 1900s, giving that "prohibition" feel. The downstairs especially feels like you're in a war time bunker. So the gins...where to start?! They have a massive list of gins to choose from it's insane (from well known ones, to ones I've never heard of). I tried a couple of cocktails and a fruit gin - all very lovely. I think I will have to go back to do a gin tasting there (yes they have this option available too) and I've heard the food is very good too. If that's not enough to wet your appetite, there's also the fact that the service is amazing (extremely friendly, attentive and knowledgeable - I did put this to the test by asking about the reason behind the name for the famous "Copa" style glass. The name originates from...well I'll let you find out for yourselves when you visit). Wonderful, cosy venue that's worth a visit. read more

See all

A slightly greasy looking cafe is taken over by the London Gin Club at night, and that's when The Star begins to shine. (Too cheesy?) I actually searched Yelp for "COCKTAILS!" one rather festive Wednesday evening after a nearby comedy gig, and my companion and I were really delightfully surprised by this place. We weren't sure what to expect, since The Star is currently hidden behind a sizeable construction site, so it takes a bit of weaving and dodging around to find it. Really fantastic and cozy spot though, once you arrive. Sort a kitschy diner meets speakeasy vibe. I can imagine it being rather busy on a Friday night, so perhaps book ahead. It was fairly calm on a Wednesday though, so I had a few tipples from the fantastic "20's Cocktails" section on the menu. The staff are extremely friendly. You want to talk about gin? They'll talk to you about gin. Basically, it goes without saying (although I'll say it anyway) - Gin lovers, this place is a must. read more

Oh wow, what a hidden gem in London this place is! A friend, who loves Gin, was looking for a GIn club in London and this little spot came up on his internet search. It's a cafe during the day, then it opens at 6pm as the most awesome GIn Club ever! They have over 50 different types of gIn, and each one on the menu comes with different fruits, petals, berries etc, to compliment that specific gin. They serve them in those awesome huge round Gin glasses too! A gin tasting is offered, where you get 4 different ones to try. It's best to book a table on line, as it's so quaint and small & very popular. Table service only, staff are lovely and knowledgable about their Gin. Small tapas style food is served and it's very reasonable & tasty! small homemade pies & melt in your mouth chorizo are just a couple of examples. There are some tables downstairs too. The place is just so quaint, music is jazzy/funky/ cool! Ambience is great and the crowd is a really relaxed chilled one. Felt like I was in a little bar in Paris! Defo recommend!! They do serve other drinks, but man, the Gin is the King here! read more

The Star At Night - 3 tasting menus... Fresh glasses for each one. They take up the whole table but they are amazing Gins..wooo! - Cafes Near Me - London, XGL

I came across this little cocktail bar a few times and had mixed experiences. The first time was great. I think it was a weekday so it wasn't very busy so there was a chilled atmosphere. The cocktails are pretty average prices but are some of the best I've had in London. They also have a great variety, where else can you find an amaretto sour?!?! It's got a great quirky signs and table cloths and lots of candles about the place so its quite intimate and nice for a date. However, they get busy. Its also hard to predict when. When they're busy they get a bit overwhelmed and grumpy. They only do table service here which can be a bit of a pain when there's a few of you. The foods nice enough, picky bits, cheese board and chocolate bits, but its quite overpriced for what it is. Still it makes a change from what other places in the area have to offer. I went there as part of a private party once. It's not necessarily ideal for everyone's budgets and tastes, but the space was OK and they attempted to appeal to our taste in music. Overall nice to check out. Cocktails expertly made. read more

A nice little gin bar tucked between Soho and the crossrail chasm at Tottenham Court Road. Really friendly staff and a huge selection of gins each with the own garnish to make the perfect gin and tonic. It's all all seating which keeps it night and chilled and airy but you might want to book if you're getting there after 7 when all the tables are often occupied. read more

My husband and I happened upon The Star on our last night in London. It was packed, but they found a spot for us, and I'm really glad they did. Tasty tapas that was pretty much all vegetarian (yay!) and the BEST gin and tonic I've ever had. The staff was friendly, helpful and sweet as pie. Everyone in the room looked like they were having a good time. read more

Great little cocktail bar (with food) in Soho. Gay and mixed - nice that it's not swamped by straight people. Very nice cocktail list, very reasonable prices, good quality drinks and excellent service. Highly recommended read more

Discovered totally by coincidence and really enjoyed my two drinks here. My visit was a really long time ago now but my girlfriends and I still reminisce about the night we spent here just laughing and chatting and drinking. read more

It's a really cute cafe with a friendly feel. The food and service was good. The only issue was there was no heat on in January. Everyone was sitting down eating in their winter coats. It was a bit uncomfortable to say the least. read more

True, it's low key. So it's the perfect place to chat up a date. A sweet environment, with nice staff, and amongst a friendly crowd. The drinks on offer are incredible so stop by and have a starry nightcap! read more

I was slightly apprehensive as I walked along a gloomy alleyway running alongside a Crossrail building site, and wondered where exactly my friend had chosen for girly Friday drinks. I need not have worried. The London Gin Club has taken over the Star at Night, offering an extensive selection of gins from all over the world, numerous tonic options, and yummy looking bar food (I'd unfortunately eaten a large burrito before hand so had no more room for food) The decor is very old school, with adverts and signs from bygone eras decorating the walls. The staff are knowledgeable about their gins, and offered some good advice on what to choose. I enjoyed both the straight G & T and the Gin cocktail I had. The reason for the 4 star is that the service really wavered when it got busy (my friend ordered food that arrived just before we left, having chased it twice) and the toilets lived a lot to be desired. But well worth a visit if you're a Gin fan read more

Great Cafe, been here for years. A good place for lunch if you want something that isn't made by a big chain. Not many places you can get a really nice omelette or fresh pasta. Turns into a bit of a bar in the evening as well. Really good value and friendly atmosphere. Comes highly recommended. It's like a posh cafe because the food is so good, but without actually being posh! If that makes sense! A bit off the beaten track, but go! read more