Beduin

Came here on a Friday night. The placed seemed much more laid back then I anticipated. I was expecting an intense club-​like environment. I got one drink and left. The bartender seemed to be yelling at a customer about not wanting to serve her, but was decent to me.

One of the only late-​night bars in this area, The Beduin Bar could pull people in mainly for this sleazy attribute. However, they don’t stop there!
They also offer ridiculously over-​priced drinks and haughty bar service!
But clearly, I jest. The Beduin Bar is alright. It’s decorated absolutely to the hilt in old-​fashioned Moroccan style that would have Bogey itching for a piano, and Ingrid staring wistfully through the smoke. The décor really is special, in Kenza style, with lots of rich jewel-​tones, sleek fabrics and gorgeous wall hangings.
The top floor is great, with couches and more intimate areas, found at the top of a spiral staircase, and good for having a bit of a chat. But if you want a bit of a chat, go somewhere else. The music at the BB is so loud, it’s nearly impossible to be heard, even shouting in your companion’s ear. However, for intimate settings, the top floor is your best bet.
The main floor, which you’re on when you come in the door, is the largest floor area, but still not big. The bar is to the left, with good standing room, and low, comfy couches and chairs around the edges.
The bottom floor is kind of where it all happens, with more fun, circular couch areas and tables, interesting gilt mirrors and more groovy wall hangings. The bar down there is smaller, so expect service to take longer.
Speaking of service — it’s good. I can’t fault it, even though I want to, because the BB feels unbearably pretentious. But it’s fast, friendly and surprisingly unsnooty.
However, expect to pay an arm and a leg for drinks. A vodka & tonic will set you back £7, and though it’s mixed nice and strong with premium vodka, some of us are cheaper dates than that. There’s a great selection of liquor, and an ok selection of beer.
If you’re in the area, and you want a decent, albeit expensive place to stay for the night, the BB is the place to do it.

I remember dancing and drinking and bumping and grinding and scarf losing and going away parties, and lots and lots and lots and lots of sweaty men. Everywhere.
Unfortunately I wasn’t participating in any of it. My piglet flu had flared up this particular evening, and though everyone around me was happily tossing back shots, I was nursing some sort of medicinal cough drop and powering through sparkling water after sparkling water.
While not as «straight out of Morocco» as the marketing team might have hoped, the venue was quite sultry, and I did enjoy the plentiful seating options and large open dance floor. (Read: I’ll be checking that «good for groups» box.) And please don’t get me wrong from above — Beduin was the perfect spot for our event: a large group of friends out to get pissed and dance the night away in a bar where no one will recognize you the next day out and about.
The bar itself was gorgeous, but please trust — the clientele was nearly unbearable. Including us. We were pretty annoying.

How to make a Beduin Cocktail
One part packed cluuuuuuhb
One part annoying crowd
Two parts pissed American birds
Two parts rat-​assed English blokes
One part packed dance floor
One part douche bag married guy
Shake, boogy and add some silly convo and you have yourselves a night at Beduin.
Was I a fan? Ummm, not really. Did I have a good time here? Yes, but that was because my friend and I were together and we can have fun anywhere. Would I go back again? Hell no.
To top it all off, I left my favorite scarf here and it wasn’t returned. Boo.

affluent-​trash crowd, overpriced, uncomfy seating, bit cheesy décor, but one of the few places opened proper late (by London standards) during the week, with DJs downstairs, and can manage to be fun despite itself.