Date night at Boisdale of Belgravia
If you are in search of something a little bit different for ‘date night’, look no further than one of the Boisdale ventures. With venues in Belgravia, Bishopsgate and Canary Wharf, this lively Scottish jazz bar is one of London’s best kept secrets.
We first discovered Boisdale of Belgravia over a year ago and have since enjoyed some fantastic dinners and long evenings of entertainment at the venue with friends. However, although dinner is a draw for many, the major appeal of the Boisdales is the fantastic live jazz and punchy cocktails.
Boisdales of Belgravia
In Belgravia, the main bar overlooks the restaurant and is located towards the back of a softly lit room that has wonderful ambience. Although it is worth a visit during the summer months due to the pretty courtyard garden, Boisdales really comes into its own on a wintery evening. The cozy setting makes it feel as though you could be in Edinburgh, not London, and safely tucked away from the harsh elements outside.
The main bar is aptly named the Macdonald Bar and this is decorated in the style of a traditional private members club. The jazz performers are located on a raised area to ensure a good view for all and the restaurant is nearly always busy, especially at weekends. This means there is a buzzing atmosphere for those who want to pop in late at night for a cocktail – the Amaretto Sour is particularly good – or a glass of Mumm, which is the house pour.
The MacDonald Bar
However, it is not just the wide range of tipples, which includes an extensive whiskey list, that will tempt you to visit Boisdales and the cigar terrace is alluring for many. The music is the highlight and begins with an early evening jazz session where resident singers and pianists perform. This is followed by a guest appearance – normally jazz, blues and soul bands – which will continue into the early hours.
As summer draws to a close, John Colianni is the main attraction and well worth seeing. His soft style is ideal for the transition to the autumn months and he has worked with a number of legends including Lionel Hampton, Mel Tormé and Les Paul.
Boisdales offers great jazz
All in all, if you are looking to impress your partner with a traditional night of whiskey, jazz and cigars, you can’t go wrong with a visit to one of the Boisdale venues.
Boisdale Belgravia is located at 15 Eccleston Street, Belgravia, SW1W 9LX – 020 7730 6922 – You can read the full schedule of Jazz and find out details of other venues at www.boisdale.co.uk
