(menu)

Galvin at Windows (bar)one star

London Hilton, 22 Park Lane, London W1K 1BE

Bars Mayfair, Oxford Street
 Write Review Add to my lists
 

Square Meal Selections

Square Meal Review of Galvin at Windows (bar) ?

Although Galvin at Windows’ bar has been further glammed up following a £500,000 makeover, it’s still what’s on the outside that counts here – namely the spectacular high-rise views from the 28th floor of its location in the London Hilton on Park Lane. Drinkers come from far and wide to take in the sights – and to sample revamped cocktails such as celerity (Green Island rum, celery, apple liqueur, sweet-and-sour, apple juice and soda) or Galvin’s garden (gin, apple juice, elderflower liqueur, cucumber and peach bitters), all at £13.50; late at night, the queues filing in from the lift can be rather ‘Lady to Ladette’, but off-peak the ambience is reassuringly calm and restrained. Bar snacks run from foie-gras burgers to truffle-and-mushroom arancini, and there’s a classy wine list to work through. Be warned: bubbles go quickly to the head at altitude, and trekking down to street level is a long haul for smokers.

Overall Diner Rating

6.7
Food & Drink
6.9
Service
6.7
Atmosphere
6.8
Value
6.2

Based on 9 ratings. Rate it!

Customer Reviews

Been to this restaurant? Write a comment

Write Your Review
  • 1Win fab prizes with free monthly prize draws!
  • 2See your views in print.
  • 3Collect your thoughts in one place.
  • 4Be rewarded with an Editor's Pick.
  • 5Rate restaurants and share your views.
 
  1. Suzanne W.
    Reviews: 1

    ( 40s, Female, United Kingdom )

    What a completely over rated place this is! Down at heel decor, in need of a make over and a change of staff if Saturday night was anything to go by. Shocking service – no sooner had the bottle of wine arrived and we had put a glass to our lips, they were topping us up and presented us with the bill!!! Twice they came back to take the bill wallet and we said we hadn't finished yet and therefore hadn't put the money/card in yet – and still they came back twice to check it. I wouldn't mind , but this was all done in the space of 30 mins.

    Never have I been made to feel so unwelcome and rushed. The Barman behind the bar yawned loudly right behind us – so even he seemed fed up with the place.

    Dreadful place – would never go back and glad I didn't opt to eat there. The reviews were bad enough to put me off – I didn't think the Bar could be as bad. How wrong I was!

    • Overall: 1
    • Food & Drink: 4
    • Service: 1
    • Atmosphere: 1
    • Value: 1
    Was it helpful to you?
     
  2. Nick B.
    Silver Reviewer

    ( 50s, Male, United Kingdom )

    My wife and I went for Sunday lunch today – 28 floors up and the sun shining! Sadly the queen was not in Buck house (wrong flar flying) so no sightings of her way down below! We were given a table at the window and I strongly recommend you ask for such a table because if, like us after 30+ years of marriage, you run out of subject matter then you can just look at the great view!

    Actually our visit didnt start brilliantly as a very brusque young lady was at the door ‘demanding’ if we had a reservaton and pointing my wife to the corner to leave her coat! If they aspire to a michelin star then the door manners have too improve! However thereafter the service could not be faulted.

    As we had the time we chose the tasting menu I(£75 pp), which we enjoyed a lot. To save the trouble of choosing wine we also went for their choice of wine (£35 extra pp) which worked pretty well overall all but was not compelling.

    The place was virtually full and had a good feel about it and we were not rushed at any point – we were there in all about 2 1/2 hours. The tables are far enough apart to mean that you can speak easily and in confidence despite it being busy.

    Not a cheap outing given our choice (the 3 course menu of the day was, I think, £25 pp) and given the location and the quality of the food that looks a bargain!

    Good fun and we will go again and try either the menu of the day or the a la carte for a change.!

    • Overall: 8
    • Food & Drink: 7
    • Service: 8
    • Atmosphere: 8
    • Value: 7
    Was it helpful to you?
     
  3. Liz H.
    Silver Reviewer

    ( 30s, Female )

    The views are amazing and the drinks much better than the London Eye. Start you Friday off here with a cocktail before sunset. Great for friends visiting from overseas.

    • Overall: 8
    • Food & Drink: 8
    • Service: 7
    • Atmosphere: 10
    • Value: 7
    Was it helpful to you?
     
  4. Daryl W.

    ( 40s, Male, United Kingdom )

    Hideous.The view at night really is a total disappointment, the drinks are hideously expensive (wine was corked, gin used, the cheapest brand available), the decor is something to behold, and it was too noisy, too everything. The music kept getting louder and louder so you couldn't hear yourself talk, let alone think. If I'd been 18 again, I might have enjoyed it, but as it turned out, I (and 4 others, guests from abroad) couldn't wait to leave. Ultra disappointing.Nb. All i saw were miserable faces and no one talking.Really, what's the point??? AVOID.

    • Overall: 3
    • Food & Drink: 3
    • Service: 3
    • Atmosphere: 1
    • Value: 2
    0 of 1 people found this review helpful. Was it helpful to you?
     
  5. Robert B.
    Gold Reviewer

    ( 50s, Male, United Kingdom )

    Certainly the best views in town (although not from every table, so do ask). It’s got a formal, contemporary feel and the food is right up there. I am a fan of amuse bouches if it feels like it’s been thought about, as opposed to being a convenient way of using up some unwanted ingredients: here its very definitely the former. That thoughtful approach is carried all the way through the meal. What appears on your plate is clearly the product of people who have great skill and the kind of palates you expect of professionals. The atmosphere is serious, the clientele what you would expect to find in hotel like the Hilton but without the hookers. A great place to take your parents, loved one(s) or a major client.

    • Overall: 7
    • Food & Drink: 8
    • Service: 8
    • Atmosphere: 6
    • Value: 8
    5 of 6 people found this review helpful. Was it helpful to you?
     
Back to Top
 

Got a blog?

Add your blog review of Galvin at Windows (bar) to Square Meal

Win fab prizes • Attract traffic to your blog • Add prestige to your blog Find out how

    Please do not change this field Please do not change this field Please do not change this field

    Essential Details for Galvin at Windows (bar)

    Galvin at Windows (bar) is included in the following Square Meal Selections

    Location of Galvin at Windows (bar)

    Customer Reviews

    Been to this restaurant? Write a comment

    Write Your Review
    • 1Win fab prizes with free monthly prize draws!
    • 2See your views in print.
    • 3Collect your thoughts in one place.
    • 4Be rewarded with an Editor's Pick.
    • 5Rate restaurants and share your views.

    Diner reviews for Galvin at Windows (bar)

    1. Suzanne W.
      Reviews: 1

      Suzanne W. ( 40s, Female, United Kingdom )

      June 2010

      What a completely over rated place this is! Down at heel decor, in need of a make over and a change of staff if Saturday night was anything to go by. Shocking service – no sooner had the bottle of wine arrived and we had put a glass to our lips, they were topping us up and presented us with the bill!!! Twice they came back to take… More

      • Overall: 1
      • Food & Drink: 4
      • Service: 1
      • Atmosphere: 1
      • Value: 1
      Was it helpful to you?
       
    2. Nick B.
      Silver Reviewer

      Nick B. ( 50s, Male, United Kingdom )

      December 2009

      My wife and I went for Sunday lunch today – 28 floors up and the sun shining! Sadly the queen was not in Buck house (wrong flar flying) so no sightings of her way down below! We were given a table at the window and I strongly recommend you ask for such a table because if, like us after 30+ years of marriage, you run out of subject… More

      • Overall: 8
      • Food & Drink: 7
      • Service: 8
      • Atmosphere: 8
      • Value: 7
      Was it helpful to you?
       
    3. Liz H.
      Silver Reviewer

      Liz H. ( 30s, Female )

      August 2009

      The views are amazing and the drinks much better than the London Eye. Start you Friday off here with a cocktail before sunset. Great for friends visiting from overseas.

      • Overall: 8
      • Food & Drink: 8
      • Service: 7
      • Atmosphere: 10
      • Value: 7
      Was it helpful to you?
       
    4. Daryl W.

      Daryl W. ( 40s, Male, United Kingdom )

      March 2009

      Hideous.The view at night really is a total disappointment, the drinks are hideously expensive (wine was corked, gin used, the cheapest brand available), the decor is something to behold, and it was too noisy, too everything. The music kept getting louder and louder so you couldn't hear yourself talk, let alone think. If I'd been 18… More

      • Overall: 3
      • Food & Drink: 3
      • Service: 3
      • Atmosphere: 1
      • Value: 2
      0 of 1 people found this review helpful. Was it helpful to you?
       
    5. Robert B.
      Gold Reviewer

      Robert B. ( 50s, Male, United Kingdom )

      September 2008

      Certainly the best views in town (although not from every table, so do ask). It’s got a formal, contemporary feel and the food is right up there. I am a fan of amuse bouches if it feels like it’s been thought about, as opposed to being a convenient way of using up some unwanted ingredients: here its very definitely the former. That… More

      • Overall: 7
      • Food & Drink: 8
      • Service: 8
      • Atmosphere: 6
      • Value: 8
      5 of 6 people found this review helpful. Was it helpful to you?
       
    Advertisement