Traffic
Crowne Plaza Kensington, 100 Cromwell Road, SW7 4ER
Website: www.cpkensington.co.uk
Underground: Gloucester Road
Brand new bar in South Kensington (opened November 2009), Traffic is situated in the stylish Crowne Plaza Hotel Kensington. Serving a wide variety of drinks, it’s the chic cocktails of this place that attract the most interest – especially their Red, Amber and Green signature drinks. Best of all, the bar is open 11am to 1.30am Monday to Saturdays, and 12pm to 12am on Sundays – so perfect for both daytime and evening!
Janet’s Bar
30 Old Brompton Road, SW7 3DL
Underground: South Kensington
Wow, what a quirk of a place! Small but friendly bar, the type of place with “interesting” decor and photos plastering the walls, telling of fabulous times in the past. There’s a tiny balcony with only table, but if you manage to nab it, it’s a great place to sit on a summer’s evening. If you’re lucky, you may well see Janet herself. What does she look like? If you go to this place and see the sign outside, you’ll know!
Tartine
114 Draycott Avenue, SW3 3AE
Website: www.tartine.co.uk
Underground: South Kensington
Also a very stylish restaurant serving French food (a tartine is a kind of open sandwich, common in France) they’re very good with their cocktails here, which are expertly prepared.
The Queens Arms
30 Queensgate Mews, SW7 5QL
Underground: Gloucester Road or South Kensington
This one’s a great pub all year round – large windows give it an airy feel during summer, whilst the dark wood panelling and cosy interior mean that it’s perfect for a winter drink. Delicious food served too – the Sunday roasts are delicious. This place tends to get quite busy, so you may find yourself hovering whilst you wait for a table.