Clays Bar, 77 Brewer Street Soho, London Review
DISCLOSURE – THIS EXPERIENCE WAS GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST/S FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW.
Reviewed by Megs, Aimee, Danielle & Rhiann
Tucked away on Brewer Street in the heart of Soho, just a short walk away from Piccadilly underground station, Clays bar offers one of the most Entertaining and stylish nights out in London. With a combination of immersive virtual clay shooting, a bougee cocktail bar atmosphere, Clays manages to feel both playful and sophisticated at the same time.
In a part of London with an immense selection of themed bars and their flashy experiences, this venue stands out to me because it genuinely delivers on both the entertainment and hospitality.
The first thing that immediately strikes you when walking into Clays is the design. Our jaws hit the flaw when we walked in as it was so beautiful following a pink/purple theme. Housed inside a beautifully restored art deco building, the venue feels lavish and luxurious whilst still being modest and simple. The velvet drapes, warm lighting, vintage inspired décor and elegant seating areas that create a space that feels more like a private members club than an activity bar.
The atmosphere immediately sets the tone for a memorable evening and it’s clear that a lot of thought has gone into the aesthetics.
The main attraction, of course is the virtual clay shooting experience using large interactive screens, realistic replica shot guns and private seating and dining area. Players compete in a series of fast paced games that are surprisingly addictive even if you have never tried clay shooting before. The screens are easy to use, and the games are easy to understand and very accessible for beginners. What makes Clays most enjoyable is how social the experience feels, unlike the traditional arcade style venues, the games encourage conversation, competition and teamwork. Which makes it perfect for birthdays, work events, date nights or group outings. The technology is genuinely impressive.
The food and drink at Clays are also another major highlight. The cocktail menu is so creative with a variety of choices and well executed and expertly mixed drinks that feel elevated rather than overly theatrical. The presentation is the pinnacle throughout the night, but thankfully the quality matches the aesthetics. The food menu consists of British sharing plate and bar snacks designed to complement the social atmosphere. The food arrived quickly and the portions were generous enough for groups. When ordering you use a touch screen monitor which was not overly complicated and you could filter any allergens if necessary. As someone who is coeliac, I found they had a great variety of dishes that made me feel normal which was so refreshing and the staff were evenly spread throughout the venue so you could ask them anything at any time if needed.
Last but not least, the venue gave a lively, loud party atmosphere with it being DJ driven with great music choices. An added bonus to this memorable evening was the Photo Booth which is a great reminder of the funny and great memories for life.
Overall, Clays, Soho exceeds all expectations as it balances novelty with genuine quality. Too many activity bars nowadays focus solely on the gimmick and neglect the service. It feels polished; immersive and energetic with an amazing charm of a great cocktail bar and will definitely be returning.
For anyone looking to experience a different kind of London night out, Clays is absolutely worth a visit.
Rating: 5/5