Cocktails with the Playboy Bunnies

To top and tail our dinner at Nobu, we had drinks at The Playboy Club. Yes, of Hugh Hefner, Playboy Mansion and bunny fame!

The private members club is owned by the client so they were keen to go, and it's next door to Nobu so quite handy. It's also within walking distance of wealthy Knightsbridge and Mayfair should the local Russian or Arab prince want to pop by, although the club will send a car for you if you're a big enough player!


We had a tour of the club and it's very tastefully styled. It has a few different bar areas and, of course, the casino area. The iconic bunny motif is subtly woven into the carpet and the odd patterned wall tile.

The real Playboy Bunnies, all very pretty, buxom, leggy ladies, are waitressing, dancing or dealing cards. Surprisingly it doesn't feel tacky, just a bit of fun. I almost forgot my cocktail was brought to my by someone wearing bunny ears and a cottontail!

Which brings me on to the highlight. Salvatore Calabrese, The Maestro, is one of the most highly regarded bartenders in the world, and it's his bar in the Club, simply called Salvatore. The cocktail menu is extensive starting at £16 and going up to a cool £2,000 if you want yours poured with a vintage liquid.


I had a breakfast martini - a now modern classic - created by Salvatore in the 90s. The orange marmalade mixed with gin and cointreau gives it its unique twist. And a Spicy Fifty - vodka, elderflower, lime & honey with a great after kick of chilli.

After dinner I stuck with vodka and apple juice, albeit the vodka was actor Dan Akroyd's Canadian Crystal Head poured from a distinctive clear glass skull bottle.