A Slice of Los Angeles in West London
For those who cherish the sophisticated allure of a hotel bar, a new destination has arrived that perfectly captures that mood while adding a transatlantic twist. Chet's Bar, which opened in 2023 within The Hoxton in Shepherd's Bush, offers Londoners the chance to experience the sleek, slinky atmosphere of a Silverlake-inspired hotel bar without the need for a long-haul flight to Los Angeles.
The Vibe and Ambience
Stepping into Chet's Bar feels like entering a carefully curated scene from an LA dream. The room is pleasantly dim-lit, with individual tables each adorned with a distinctive, spaceship-like lamp. The design aesthetic blends dusty pink bar stools with marble and chrome accents and rich wood panelling, creating an environment that is both classy and undeniably sexy. The crowd reflects the bar's location in a West London hotel, leaning towards a middle-aged, professional clientele that includes business travellers, suggesting the trendiest crowds are yet to fully discover this hidden gem.
The Standout Drinks Menu
The cocktail list is where Chet's Bar truly shines, featuring inventive, Thai-inspired creations that are as playful as they are drinkable. Standouts include the Lychee Martini, a sweet and floral concoction complete with a green lychee resting at the bottom of the glass. The Thai Sour is another triumph, a fragrant and frothy blend of Dewars 12 scotch, the Thai spirit Mekhong, and banana liqueur that evokes the feeling of a beach holiday. For those seeking a more complex profile, the Calamansi Sour is a must-try. This creamy, savoury tipple served in a coup glass delivers a dizzying scent of zingy calamansi, similar to mandarin, and is described as incredibly smooth and immensely satisfying. True to its LA roots, the bar also serves margaritas, including the LA-rita del Sol, a sweet, sharp, and earthy strawberry variation on the classic.
Delectable Thai-Americana Bar Snacks
The culinary offerings, courtesy of chef Kris Yenbamroong, are reason enough to make the journey to Shepherd's Bush. The tuna tacos are a particular highlight—fresh, light, with a hint of warming spice and a cheeky dollop of caviar, all held together by a crisp shell that doesn't fall apart upon first bite. The pulled pork slider is excellent drunk food, featuring a tangy, sweet barbecue sauce peppered with pineapple chunks, served on a soft, buttery brioche bun. Other notable dishes include battered, deep-fried artichokes slathered in a tart Thai basil aioli and grated parmesan. For something more substantial, the bar also serves the current fast-food favourite: smashburgers.
While the experience was largely positive, the service was noted to be a little sluggish at times, and the kitchen had run out of a few menu items, including the much-anticipated kimchi doughnuts. However, these are likely teething problems for a relatively new venue. The overall combination of fun, expertly crafted cocktails and comforting, flavour-packed food makes Chet's Bar a winning addition to London's hotel bar scene.
