London's most eccentric lounge bars

For those occasions that require real flair, these quirky holes-in-the-wall are perfect for a louche evening with friends, or a first date with a bit of dazzle and a touch of tongue-in-cheek humour. Call a lifestyle manager to discuss the kind of nightspot you're looking for and we'll make sure you get booked in for a night to remember – we've set up romantic evenings a deux as well as organised space for bigger parties.

69 Colebrooke Row

69 Colebrooke Row, London N1 8AA

One of the newest entrants to the cocktail bar scene, 69 Colebrooke is the project of mix master Tony Conigliaro, who gained experience at Isola Bar in Knightsbridge and The Lonsdale in Notting Hill before designing his menu of revelatory drinks. ‘My favourite is the Blush,' says lifestyle editor Jean Edelstein. ‘It's a delicate blend of rose-infused vodka, rhubarb syrup, Perrier-Jouet and a grapefruit twist'. All drinks are a cool £7, and the old-fashioned bar (lots of dark varnished wood and a barman in a white coat make it feel very mid 20th-century New York) is open until 2am at weekends.

Lounge Lover

1 Whitby St, London E2 7DP

This former meatpacking factory was converted into a cocktail bar by the adjoining restaurant Le Trois Garcons in 2003 to give diners space to enjoy a drink before and after dinner. Now, the bar is as much of a draw as the restaurant, a place to enjoy sexy cocktails in glamorous surroundings. The menu is extensive – think vodka mixed with muddled redcurrants and passion fruit, topped with prosecco; and elderflower and raspberry vodkas stirred with white grape juice. Booking ahead is essential, so be sure to contact a lifestyle manager long before your night out.

Barts

Chelsea Cloisters, Sloane Avenue, London SW3 3DW

Hidden inside the Chelsea Cloisters hotel and apartment complex is Barts, a small, idiosyncratic venue. ‘You enter through a discreet double door and walk into a room that's decorated floor to ceiling with comics,' says Hernan. ‘Inside, there's a trunk with wigs, hats, feather boas and outfits for guests to dress up in.' It has a fun, relaxed atmosphere and serves finger food and cocktails at reasonable prices. ‘I had a tasty mojito – well, three tasty mojitos,' says Hernan. Barts doesn't take bookings.