25 October 2006

Say Cheese

Mahiki Opens

“I could do ‘I Feel Pretty’? Or ‘I Feel Pretty’?”

There she lurks in Baby’s shadow, awaiting her stage debut in coconut cup bra and grass skirt, making a right fool of herself. (How you loved her for it.)

The next time you fancy dirty dancing to some desert island discs, head to Mahiki. The new tiki-style bar-cum-club is the latest from Piers Adam (the man behind Rock, Kabaret and every hotspot you went to about five years ago) and Nick House (London’s best party fixer). There’s no guest list and the vibe is be-free-to-be-you.

The feel: retro ’70s cool (think Leonardo and the Pan Am-ettes in Catch Me if You Can). The food: steak sandwiches, burgers and sushi (the better for sharing). The cocktails: pina coladas made with fresh pineapples and Neptune’s Bounty, served in a diver’s helmet. And here’s  a tip: if the wedding-style DJ doesn’t have the song you want, you get a free drink.

Dare to dive in. You’ll feel pretty.

Pretty hungover, that is.

Mahiki, 1 Dover Street, W1S 4LD (020 7493 9529 or mahiki.com).