Arch Angel

I was staying at the Royal Garden Hotel across the street and this was the only place in the area the remained open after the pubs in the area closed. I can’t say that I would actively seek to go here but when you have no other choice, well, there you go. They have a nice selection of beer… a little pricey but again, when you have no other choice, what do you do?
The crowd is, well, interesting. We met two girls who thought we were record executives and one of them took turns sitting on all of our laps while playing drinking games with us (Thomas A. was spot on… crap, does that mean I’M sleazy???) The rest seem to be harmless locals who congregate in the rear parlor area that is up the stairs to the back… kind of a cool area.
So all in all, not bad but not great. If you’re staying near High Street Kensington, you’ll probably wind up here if you want to tie one on later in the evening.

I went there some Saturday night as it was one of few places open after midnight. It was nice that we got free drink for door cover £5. I got a bottle of wine for 20£ but to be honest I can get better in tesco for 4£. I also got mojitos– expensive but ok I guess

Buck standard bar. Decent lounge area at the back with sofas but the main attraction for us was that the place was close to empty at 10pm on a friday night… which is great if you’re looking for a quiet place for a drink. Perhaps not so if you’re wondering where the party is… Had to pay cash because the card machine ‘was broken’.

Arch Angel may not be the Kensington Roof Gardens but they have a great selection of cocktails with super cool bartenders. Plus, the lounge downstairs have great sets every week.

This place takes a while to make your cocktail but whoa is it ever worth the wait. The BEST bloody mary I’ve EVER had… I’ve been dreaming about it since I went a few weeks ago.
Service was polite, not snooty, and like I’ve already said the cocktails are divine. Crowd seems cool, trendy, without being over the top. Allot of young professionals, but their did seem to be a variety of ages. Overall, cool buzzy atmosphere, good service, and killer cocktails.

Well… there’s a very specific type of girl that I’ve found goes here, as well as a very specific type of guy.
Ladies first?
If you’re tiny with big boobs and like to sit on men’s laps while they buy you drinks, you may have hit the jackpot.
The men?
The few times I’ve been, have always provided a bit of the sleaze. You’ll get your fair share of men that aren’t terribly attractive that look like they’re looking for the girls mentioned above.
That’s probably all you need to know. Shame because the area could really use a decent bar that’s kind of a catch-​all with good music. The space would be nice if the people weren’t so odd. The times I’ve been were for drinks at night in the main bar, there’s apparently also a basement bar and another area… I’m not sure I’d be game to venture back… but if you live in the area and you’re trying to weigh your options of going out without a commute, you should probably decide for yourself. And bring a credit card, it’s on the pricey side.