Bob Bob Ricard 1 Upper James St, Soho, London W1F 9DF

After a matinee in the west end, a group of us decided a cocktail was in order before dinner. The west end is not somewhere I would choose to drink cocktails, too many places serve expensive premixed drinks in a crowded noisy environment.  BBR I had been assured would not be like this.  The entrance on the side of Beak street is reasonably unassuming, it is once the door is opened that the opulence and pretentiousness take over. A gaggle of waiter, receptionists and coat handlers meet you with the eponymous words ‘Do you have a reservation?’ it was 6 oclock and the place was pretty empty. After a quick look at the ipad it was determined we could have 2 seats at the bar and the other 2 would need to stand. When we were shown to the bar there was not a soul there, we were informed by the bartender that we could have all four seats .

Oyster dirty martini

The cocktails ranged from £11 to my oyster one at £14.50, which is not too bad, but automatic tip is added which I think is a bit much when you sit at a bar, also no nuts or snacks which you would get at a hotel.  The cocktails were tasty, but not world class my dirty martini with oyster did not have enough brine in it, even with the addition of the oyster juices the balance was not right. It also lacked the ice cold feel I would have expected

Although not the most positive review, would recommend to take visitors.

Talk rating: 5/5 (however were there early)