Ham Yard bar - review

What they say: the Firmdale Group has taken over a prime hunk of Soho for its Kit Kemp-designed hotel, complete with a huge colourful, tribal-accented bar with outdoor seating and a drinks menu dominated by sparkling cocktails and tailor-made martinis.

What we say: in space-starved Soho the courtyard tables are a great alfresco addition, but I liked, as per usual, the seats at the zinc-topped bar where you run a better chance of getting served (it was slow on our visit). Drinks were decent (they should be for £12-£13), if a little on the sweet side.

Good for: Soho cocktails and pre-dinner dates.

Order: the Jack Rose if you like tequila. If you don’t, like me, try applejack, lime and home-made pomegranate grenadine. Or ask Paul to knock you up a champagne cocktail.

By the way: there’s also a Fifties bowling alley and a theatre in the hotel.

Find it: 1 Ham Yard, W1, firmdalehotels.com/hamyardhotel