sketch: The Parlour

I love popping into The Parlour at Sketch for afternoon tea… the perfect spot and such fun too

Sketch Parlour is one of those great little secrets for tea-time! The ambiance is eclectic, charming and lends itself to longer- than anticipated stays! Nothing beats nipping into the Parlour for tea & scones after a hard afternoon's shopping. Media types, fashion, pr people all congregate here. Stylish & fun, you can't go wrong here. Absolute winner!

The Parlour offers fine cakes, sandwiches and tea in a grand setting with a cool and quirky vibe. There is a no reservation policy, but any wait will be worth it.

Quirky drinks menu that sounds brilliant and tastes just as good, random layout/artifacts (digital birds in cages, etc), you have to see it to believe it. Would definitely go back. There's 2 other bars in Sketch which are cool but not as impressive as the parlour… There's a distinct child-like take to the whole thing (a kids plastic toy tree in the restaurant, hopscotch in the entrance hall, french maids by the toilets), which just adds to the whole thing. It's high end but without the snottyness, it's just good fun. Can't really knock it, the price isn't cheap (£15 a cocktail) but the surroundings and clientelle probably tell you why. If you're in the area for a more relaxing non-standard cocktail in a fun but not loud/crowded atmosphere, go here!

I arrived for an informal business meeting at Sketch Parlour which has been on my list of afternoon tea venues to try for a while and I was indeed glad I did. The Parlour paints a picture of what it would have been like for 18th century ladies of leisure to partake their ritual of afternoon tea in public – except with an added injection of chintz and cool (if the two can ever go together). The cakes on offer – presented by the bar – are beautiful enough just to stare at let alone eat and are as you'd expect from Gagnaire's daring kitchen, blending whacky ingredients which work amazingly. the Green Eclair – with green tea, white chocolate and passionfruit coulis is divine and went beautifully with a well made pot of perfumed earl grey tea. This is afternoon tea at its best and the best bit is you don't pay through the roof for it at under £10pp. Think …Willy Wonka's chocolate factory for adults and you'll love it, take it too seriously and you'll still love it as it retains substance with style. Great place for catch ups, winding down after a day of shopping and business meetings with an added wow. Will definitely be going back to see the night time ambience.