As Nightclubs Wane, London Restaurants Invite DJs to the Dining Room
Restaurateurs aim for the transition moments that are more than dinner, not quite a party.
Playing at Ambassy, a new nightspot downstairs from Ambassadors Clubhouse in Mayfair.
Source: Ambassadors Clubhouse
Like Londoners themselves, London pubs, bars, restaurants and clubs tend to keep to their lanes, with a siloed approach to food, drinks and late-night fun. This compartmentalized strategy means restaurants often either have laid-back atmospheres, conducive to dining and casual drinks, or offer high-energy party vibes—rarely is there a meaningful combination of both outside the walls of big private members clubs.
Yet as London’s nightlife scene experiences a steady decline (three-quarters of UK nightclubs have disappeared since 2005, with more than 120 local music venues closing their doors last year alone), hospitality entrepreneurs have sensed an opportunity. Across the city, a new set of bars and restaurants are adopting a more transitional approach to their programming and service. By adding in the energy of entertainment such as live DJs, they can appeal to both diners and night owls, as well as potential patrons looking to keep planning to a minimum.