Albannach (66 Trafalgar Square, London, WC2N 5DS) Albannach manages to combine all that is risible about going out in central London. There is so much to dislike it is hard to know where to begin, but let's start with the 12.5% service charged added on to everything …even a standard bottle of wine, ordered at the bar had appreciated in price by £4.50 by the time the cork was removed. The prices generally are high without the cache of one of the more luxurious drinking experiences in London such as The Blue Bar. The cheapest 175ml glass of wine is £5.00 and it was moderate. However, price and sneaky service charging is not the main reason to avoid this bar. The worst thing about it is the depressingly poor effort to make the self-styled ‘Scottish’ bar in any way authentically Scottish. Having lived in Scotland for five years it did not resemble any bar I ever visited; neither the old fashioned drinking dens, the festival haunts nor the high-end grand hotel experiences around Princes Street. Even if the idea was to recreate some of the rich atmosphere and culture of the country, it still failed. The whole bar is over conceptulaised, with pretentious wrought iron, moody photos of Scotland and a paper machie deer and although it was packed with a post-work office crowd when we went, it still managed a relatively lacklustre atmosphere. If you are seeking an authentic Scottish experience go elsewhere. If you are seeking a loud, post-work bar with atmosphere go elsewhere. If, however, you really don't care how you spend your money or your free time and care nothing for Scotland, this could be the perfect bar for you.
Link to this reviewNovember 2008 | 
Abigail30s, Female, United Kingdom