Zander

Davy's wine bar having shut, we needed an alternative venue. Zander bar was it and we'll be back for sure. Wonderful value, friendly and welcoming staff and not afraid to give their recipe away for the Thai salad. Thank you.

I met one of my friends at the Zander Bar for a post work drink on a Monday night, we ended up going here as it’s roughly mid way between her work and my work, but next time we’ll be finding an alternative. The last time I went for a drink here was many years ago – though I have walked through it to get to Bank Restaurant on several occasions, but only at lunchtimes – when this used to be a bit of a place to go, boasting at the time the longest bar in London. It’s sadly not anything like as sexy as the introduction on this site would have you believe; the setting just looks a bit tired and dated and early on a Monday night there was zero atmosphere, no music and almost no other customers, though just as we were leaving what looked like a party of rather desperate singletons, that my friend was convinced must be one of those Match.com events, came in. The staff also seemed utterly disinterested, though not actually rude – it was hard to decide whether there was table service or we were expected to go to the bar and the staff seemed as unsure as we were; there were no ‘nibbles’ and it was rather like no one cared if we stayed or left, so after 2 drinks we left. As for the drinks? It’s hard to get a gin and tonic and a vodka and lemonade too far wrong. The bill? £33 for 2 rounds of those. Return? No thanks

Zander is tucked away in the back streets and civil servant offices around Victoria but it's worth seeking out. The bar is indeed long and very purple but there's lots of cosy nooks to sit in and it was pretty quiet last Saturday evening. The staff were great and were happy to check when we asked if we could sit outside in the restaurant courtyard (which we did). The drinks list is extensive and not unreasonably priced. I'd definitely go again if in the area.