Reviews of Trader Vic's

The absolute best experience ever! We had a private event at Trader Vic's on Saturday night for 19 women and it was the most fun filled night with excellent service. From the beginning we were met with friendly and attentive staff right from the time we called to book the restaurant with Guy (event coordinator)and on the night Isaac and Cali were so helpful and friendly with helping the evening run smoothly. I felt a weight lifted off my shoulders and could truly relax. The food was also fantastic and loved how the chef came to say hi and also event participated in some of our event too which was fun. The music and DJ was great too and we all enjoyed the open space where we could have a dance later on in the night too. Would absolutely recommend and can't wait to return again soon!!! Thank you so much to all staff at Trader Vic's you do your job so well going above and beyond to make sure your guests feel well looked after. Carol and Michelle x

I booked a private event here at the Marina Bar to celebrate my engagement. I am writing this review as a massive thank you to the whole team at Trader Vic's. I could not have asked for a better party, the service has been outstanding. The venue is superb. Food, drink and entertainment were all fabulous. amazing DJ and live band! I want to extend a special thank you to Giorgia Doronzo for being an exceptional hostess right throughout. She has been very welcoming from start to finish, and made sure everything went to plan on the day. Her hospitality drew me to the venue and I truly appreciated it, she is brilliant! The bar staff on the day were so friendly and amazing too!! thank you to all.

Went here on our final day in London and went out with a bang. This bar is a legend and did not disappoint. So much history here, it could never be built in 2022 the way it was in 1963. You can feel the history here, your grandfather probably drank here on business trips in the 60s. I relished every minute of it. And we were fortunate to spend time with the master bartender and talk serious rum for a while, I learned more in an hour than I had in the past year about rum. Excellent food was to be had. There was a great cover band at the bar to boot. Thank you for being a phenomenal memory on our trip, everyone that took care of us the night of 5.27.22. Well miss you!

If i'm being honest this was a fun brunch because of the company I was withbottomless cocktails (£20pp) are always fun although were a little on the slow side coming out. The food 3 courses for £35:  first to share, second course served individually and dessert also to share. As a foodie for me, the food portions were pretty small (didnt look like an 8oz steak to me, 2 small slithers of steak) and tasted very average, nothing spectacular; I was hoping to be wowed. However its nice to finally tick this off my list, the entertainment was fun and the restaurant decor is really quirky and interesting. I think you are paying for the location tbh.

A nice vibe, music loud though as we're sat right by the stage its quite dark too,made me very tired. Very expensive but tasty food and cocktails worth it. Highly recommended the peach in a fish bowl. Bathroom a bit of a trek to get to from the hire section and unfortuantly the location is not disabled friendly A nightmare to get home from hotel aswell as bar staff were not helpful at all in that area.

In 1934 Victor ‘Trader’ Bergeron opened a small bar/restaurant in Oakland California. Over time it evolved into a Tiki Lounge and its name was changed from Hinky Dink’s to Trader Vic’s featuring Polynesian style décor and artefacts. This influence also extended to the food that drew its inspiration from the Pacific rim and the island.

Celebration is the perfect word to describe this place. Absolutely loved this place and it deserves the hype it's even getting. So we went here on the occasion of a friend's birthday but even if you visit casually it will be memorable. There is a wide choice of cocktails w ordered the black stripe, Mai tai, na tai Mai tai, strawberry vodka and none disappointed us. Of course the favourite was Mai tai. In terms of food the variety is very good and you'll be delighted if you love sea food. We ordered chicken curry, vegetable curry, chow mein, sea bass and a salad. The curries are spicy but flavourful. Full marks to them for the ambience. The place is nice and spacious for you to walk around, dance a bit with the live performers, click crazy photos at the photo booth and just enjoy the evening. Perfect place for a date, any occasion or just a Friday night. The only thing that might upset you is the bill which you will realise whenever but not on that day😃.

I must admit I’ve always had a bit of a long distance crush on Shelina Permalloo. Winner of BBC MasterChef 2012, now the brains behind Mauritian Street Kitchen and restaurant Lakaz Maman. When I heard that she was planning a new pop-up menu inspired by the shores and taste experiences of Mauritius in  collaboration with legendary Mayfair tiki bar Trader Vic’s Executive Chef Shiran Fonseka (available until the 31st October) I was excited; when an invite came to try out the food it seemed too good an opportunity to miss.Trader Vic’s sits below the Park Lane Hilton-apparently it has been there since 1963 and alongside the old Playboy Club it must have made quite a swinging scene. After descending downstairs into the basement tropical paradise I sank a couple of delicious Mai Tais-a classic and a mango- a cocktail that I hadn’t drunk since the 80s when I had hair like Priscilla Presley…Sitting in a cosy nook we were presented with a wooden platter full of Shelina’s goodies. The Island Fusion Platter is a snip at £19 as it serves two but all the dishes are available in individual servings. Trader Vic’s BBQ Spare Ribs (£14.00) are cooked in wood-fired barbeque ovens and the tender meat had a wonderfully deep smoky flavour. Crisp Prawn and Octopus Croustillant (£12.00) were deep-fried but not to the point of extinction! The accompanying coriander and coconut satini (chutney) added a real zing to the dish. Island Style Papaya Salad (£11.00) with cashews and citronelle was crunchy and fresh with only a hint of heat and with the nuts giving that classic Mauritian flavour. Gateaux Piment (£9.00) is a crunchy split pea (dholl) and chilli cake with a bit of sweetness from some coriander leaves. It comes with a tomato and chilli chutney. But my favourite dish in this festival of heat and flavour was the Anana Confit (£8.50)-a Mauritian street food classic of grilled pineapple with chilli and the wonderful sour flavour of tamarind.Once we finished eating a troupe of traditional sega dancers backed by drummers and a singer entertained us with a wonderfully vibrant high-energy performance. It was really exciting to see a band propelled by three wonderful percussionists. The popup is well worth a visit not only for a taste of Mauritius but also for a great evening out. The only problem is that it has also given me a real taste for visiting the island so now I will have to go!

With the really hot weather in London this week, memories come flooding back of tropical paradises that I’ve visited, one of my favourites is the beautiful Hawaiian island of Maui. So when invited to come along to Hilton's wonderful restaurant Trader Vic’s on Park Lane to sample a special Independence Day inspired menu I was off before you could say ‘Aloha’.

Last Wednesday was hot. Seriously hot. Way too hot in London to enjoy, for me anyway. Someone posted something on my Facebook called "gingers advised to not even bother today" which pretty much summed it up for me. Work was fine as we have great air con in the building but it was my evening plans that concerned me.... Emily, of the wonderful blog Curious London, had invited me to meet her at Trader Vic's in Mayfair for a preview of their Independence Day dinner (which has now been and gone, but featured some dishes from their normal menu, so you can still order them now). The tube journey into London wasn't as bad as expected, luckily, and I wandered down Park Lane to the Hilton hotel, where Trader Vic's is. Walking into the venue I was so relieved to feel the chill of more air con - I hadn't been before, and was worried we'd be sweltering on a terrace or in a garden, but we were kept perfectly cool in the Tahitian restaurant, that's been in the same location since 1963!Trader Vic's serves real fusion food - a real mix of Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Japanese and Asian cuisine, though we were there to try their special American Independence Day menu. The restaurant is quite large, but atmospherically dark, and covered in ornaments and decorations from around the world, including massive shells that act as lightshades, fishing nets, wooden carvings, maps and boats. On arrival we were greeted with a Trader Vic's Mai Tai, which was invented by Trader Vic himself over half a century ago. Slightly sharp, and so refreshing, I tried not to drink it in one gulp, as I was so desperate to consume liquid when I arrived! There are 17 Trader Vic's around the world, and it's said to be the only place you can get Trader's original recipe drink. Highly recommended, especially on a hot, muggy night.

There is something faintly ridiculous about celebrating Independence Day in the UK; it’s sort of like if the French started cracking out the bunting every year on the 18th June to commemorate Waterloo. (I know Independence Day is more about the actual Declaration than the prerequisite fighting, but it was still all very embarrassing.) The London food scene, however, isn’t going to ignore an opportunity to cash in on the city’s apparently unquenchable appetite for American cuisine – that’s slow-cooked barbecue, creamy dressings and heart-stoppingly indulgent desserts – which is how I found myself at venerable tiki restaurant Trader Vic’s this week to preview its Independence Day menu with fellow food blogger Rosie from A Little Lusciousness (recommended reading for fanatical foodies).

In the evening the celebrations continued visiting Trader Vic's a French-Polynesian restaurant located on London's Park Lane.  This year is the 80th anniversary of Trader Vic's and the 70th anniversary of the Mai Tai , the cocktail synonymous with Trader Vic's around the world. So it was the perfect place to have a celebration.  Today, Trader Vic’s has locations in 17 countries across the globe, t hey sell  over 2 million Mai Tai's annually. Arriving at Trader Vic's Hula Bar is a lot like visiting a tropical island. It reminds me lots of my adventures in Maui, Hawaii. The only difference in the UK was the torrential rain and winds that we had experienced before entering Trader Vic's.

Great place to have an interesting start to your night! With the radiant and tropical decor that envelopes the Bar is extremely attractive and this only complements the large variety of cocktails that are available, one of my favourites being "Tiki Puka Puka". Great place, great drinks and a brilliant environment for conversation, fun and a great start to the night. :)

Having heard so much hype about this place, I wasn't that impressed. Although the bar was quite busy, we were able to find a table quite quickly.<br/><br/>They have a massive selection of "cocktail platters", and the "rum keg" is a must try. <br/><br/>The decor is quite unique for London, and has a nice Hawaiian feel to it. However, the bar did not have a buzzing atmosphere, there was no live music and honestly, seemed quite dead. It was a nice place for a quiet drink, but not if you are looking for a loud, vibrant atmosphere before going out. <br/><br/>I don't see myself returning in the foreseeable future.

The signature cocktail of this place, the Mai Tai is never a shot away from brilliant! I have heard that years back, the owner added some rum with orange zest to bring our a French essence to it. The concoction has sure worked wonders for the restaurant bar! The lemony taste of this drink makes me coming back to this place again and again.

This place was pretty disappointing and I still regret not going by it's reviews. Although, the setting is awesome and the staff is pretty friendly and attentive for which they charge 15% but that's it. The food was just horrible except mai tai, which was good. The cod croquette was not cooked properly but there didn't seem to be any cod in them. The chicken in deep fried dough was nothing exceptional and the chicken was in the form of a paste. The pork stew with black beans had ribs that were fat and gristle. The black beans seemed like red kidney beans in the stew. The dessert was fine but still it did not make up for the horrible main course. The 15% service charge was also a little surprising at the end because they actually did the deed of removing unfinished drinks and clearing the plates from the table while people were still eating from them. All in all it was not even close to my expectations and I do not plan to return anytime soon.

This place is the most expensive mistake I have made in a while. They levied a hefty cover charge on arrival, which should have been our cue to leave. Although, the place has a very interesting, pacific setting, but none of it justifies the prices charged. The cocktails are pricey, and have a watery taste. The place is visited by tourists and suspicious-looking people. This is not a place we will be visiting again.

As far as i know this place has always given great value for money, offering quality food and always well prepared and served in the past for many years, though the quality has gone down a bit in since the recession. Amazing cocktails, great ambiance, but food does take a long, long time to come! Be prepared to wait!

We went to this place after getting discount vouchers for here. The reviews weren't very good so we were a little unsure whether to eat her at all. What we got at the restaurant however, was completely different. The staff was extremely warm and welcoming and made sure were comfortable. The food was hot, freshly prepared and tasted amazing. We left feeling happy.

This restaurant is located in a great part of the city. We had a very enjoyable experience in all. The food was excellent with varied option housed on the menu. The only downside of it was that the service and the staff were too rushed. They were too hurried with serving the starter and the mains and following that the dessert. <br/>In all the food was amazing, although they have to give the customers time to enjoy their meal in peace.

A place i would say is underwhelming in everything it offers! The food is average and the prices too high for the worth of their dishes! This restaurant/ bar is unpleasant for the mismatch in prices and what they offer! Coming to their cocktails, they tasted like diluted in water. May pass this one next time!

I am a regular customer for this restaurant, not only in London but also in the middle East. The staff is always so friendly and make your visit a memorable experience. Some of their cocktails are very staunch in their strong flavour, but they are worth it all! The menu is extensive and has a great variety. The portions though not generous, are just about the right size. A must try!

This place is great with its great food that is all freshly prepared. there is live music sometimes, which is nice and the place has a great feel to it. The food is delicious too, the only improvement needed being that they need offer more variety in the snacks and beverages. I recommend this place to everyone.

This joint had a a great atmosphere going for it. A rather unique and inventive Hawaiian theme. The down side is that being in the basement it can get slightly dark and slightly cold. The service too was not good. The staff was rather rude, at least the person serving our table. He was seeming unhappy at our presence there and this did not allow us to enjoy our food.

To all the staff at trada vic, s thanks 10 out of 10 the manager , and to the lovely hostesses thaat seved us<br/>we came in for pre dinner drinks most had not been for 20years or so and had traveled from all parts of the u s a <br/>Firt time 20th birthday and this time our 50th you all did so well thanks<br/>the anmericans with the c d,,,

So the excitement of the wedding was over, the fun of the minimoon was at an end and me and Mr S returned to London, cold weather and pouring rain. <br/><br/>But fortunately we had our honeymoon to look forward to! And the part we were most excited about was our week in French Polynesia, which promised to be a once a life time experience. When we were invited down to sample some cocktails at Trader Vic's it was the perfect way to get over the bad weather blues and get us in the mood for some Tahitian cheer!<br/><br/>I decided to get Tiki-chic with a tribal print skirt from TopShop.<br/><br/>Imitation is the most sincerest form of flattery but Trader Vic's was the first of the surge of Tiki bars in London. The bar has had its home at the Hilton for over fifty years and it had recently been remodelled and updated. The original Trader Vic's in California is now eighty years old, so this is a bar with a whole lot of history!<br/><br/>The bar is casual and as laid back as any beach comber. The interior is adorned with Polynesian artefacts and carvings many of which are authentic pieces. I wasn't a big fan of the carpet which was quite shabby and rather garish...but we're supposed to be on an island here, not cosmopolitan London. <br/><br/>We sat down ready for a taste of island life and our first cocktail.<br/><br/>To start I chose a Trader Vic's passion. Containing gin, passion fruit and lime it was a lovely refreshing drink and not too sweet and sickly.<br/><br/>Mr S chose a Mai Tai to start. The Mai Tai is Trader Vic's signature cocktail and with good reason, they invented it! In 1944, at the original Trader Vic's bar owner, Vic Bergeron poured some rum, added a squeeze of lime, some rock candy syrup, a splash of orange curacao and some French orgeat. The concoction was served over cracked ice. Vic gave the cocktail to a friend who exclaimed 'It's Mai Tai Roa Ae' (Tahitian for "Out of this world - the best") and the Mai Tai was born! Personally, I found the drink a little strong but Mr Silver thought it was mai-ghty good! But he's a big rum lover. <br/><br/>We nibbled on a moreish spicy popcorn whilst we enjoyed our cocktails.<br/><br/>Being newly-weds decided to share our next drink.<br/><br/>I'd enjoyed my passion fruit cocktail so this time we chose a passion punch with a pretty floral garnish. Trader Vic's have a big selection of sharing cocktails, though this particular libation was a drink for one it was definitely generous enough to share.<br/><br/>My final drink followed my passionate theme, the Siboney contained dark rum, passion fruit, pineapple and lemon. The cocktail originates from the Caribbean and, like my other drinks that night was like sunshine in a glass. The perfect way to combat the hideous rain that beat down outside. <br/><br/>And obviously Mr S and I needed some bar bites to accompany our night of passion. Like the original Trader Vic's, the London branch serves a fusion menu of dishes from the Mediterranean, Middle East, Asia and Japan. The food is all cooked in a Chinese wood fired oven using ancient cookery methods originating from the Han Dynasty.<br/><br/>As married couples should, we decided to share everything. <br/><br/>We started with a selection of skewers.<br/><br/>And Beef Cho Cho served with a ginger sake sauce. All were lovely little nibbles and perfect for sharing. The Chinese fire oven gives the snacks a delicious smoky flavour that we both really enjoyed. <br/><br/>Obviously Mr S also had to have the spare ribs!<br/><br/>We shared a main course of stir fried beef tenderloin and prawns<br/><br/>And a mixed leaf salad with pomegranate and cracked wheat. While the food at Trader's Vic's is decent it's not Mai Tai Roa Ae, you're really coming to the bar for the cocktails and chilled out ambiance. <br/><br/>We had eaten in the bar but there is a larger restaurant area...<br/><br/>And a private dining room... <br/><br/>Trader Vic's is a good fun bar in an excellent location. If you're in the mood for something a little different accompanied by killer cocktails, then come and say Aloha to Trader Vic's!

The Mai Tai is Trader Vic's signature cocktail and with good reason, they invented it! In 1944, at the original Trader Vic's bar owner, Vic Bergeron poured some rum, added a squeeze of lime, some rock candy syrup, a splash of orange curacao and some French orgeat. The concoction was served over cracked ice. Vic gave the cocktail to a friend who exclaimed 'It's Mai Tai Roa Ae' (Tahitian for "Out of this world - the best") and the Mai Tai was born! Personally, I found the drink a little strong but Mr Silver thought it was mai-ghty good! But he's a big rum lover.

Having been to the original Traders Vic in Oakland we looked forward to a similar experience. The decor is very much South Sea- Kon Tiki and Hawaiin style but being in a 5 star hotel not fully so.Whilst the Oakland one specialised in South Sea/polynesian and Hawaiin cusine you get a different blend of foods. Sea food ,yes but DOVER SOLE was a revelation !!<br/>The cocktails are the forte of Vics and some of them indeed quite strange and exotic--not too much of the Coconut water stuff.<br/>Teh Peri Peri prawns served with the their special mustard were very tasty,while the Crispy Veg spring rolls were delightful. The main dish of Ginger Lobster on a bed of steamed rice was truly South sea,while the Sea Bass (Steamed) with pok choi and other chinese veg was scrumptous. However the true south sea flavours were not truly there.<br/>A Warm toddy of Traders Vics Hot Butter Rum,and the Diablo Coffee were unique in taste and a good end to a satisfying meal.<br/>Go there to experience some Polynesian flavours, especially the vast array of cocktails,the decor and some warm friendly service. better carry your credit card as the place is not quite your neighbourhood Chop chop noodle shop !!

I wouldn’t have made it to Chapter Thirty of my Discerning Drinking series – chronicling the worst (and the worster) of my homemade cock’tales’ stirred up in the confines of Carmines – if it wasn’t for the mighty Difford’s Guide. Simon Difford’s Cocktails No. 10 is out now, and I strongly recommend you get it. I would do, but I love my well-thumbed No. 9, the pages sticky with Chambord, pineapple juice and coffee.<br/><br/>A common theme of Cocktails 9 is the accreditation of a certain bar for a good few drinks, and that bar is Trader Vic’s. After a rather lively Tuesday night spent at their restaurant in the London Hilton on Park Lane, the bill arrived in a little pottered barrel, presented like a pirate’s treasure map. The barrel read;<br/><br/>“Trader Vic’s<br/><br/>Since 1934”<br/><br/>That I did not know. But there we are – Vic’s was founded in Oakland, California in November that year. The places was originally called Hinky Dink’s, before adapting the nickname of its creator, Victor Jules Bergeron Jr. and became rapidly and popularly known a tropical-themed, liquor-led restaurant that soon expanded to other cities around the United States. It is considered one of the first restaurant chains in the history of ever, so how one ended up in one of the swankiest hotels in London is well beyond my own meagre grey matter.<br/><br/>One thing that I did know about Vic’s is that it’s theme is Tiki. Ah… yes. That instantly recognisable Polynesian-slash-Caribbean mash-up of wood, scary tribal faces, colourful shirts and beach…um…stuff. I like it, it’s kitsch. And anything, as long as it is executed well, with a generous scoop of passion, is just fine. London is not exactly saturated with these places; I mean we have Mahiki in Piccadilly which is almost impossible to get into, especially if Prince Harry (Styles, not Windsor) is there, and a place near Clapham Junction called Sugar Cane. Neither of these places is a bonafide restaurants; at least at Vic’s you can get a good meal.<br/><br/>Somehow, we were struggling to get any kind of meal that Tuesday evening, as the queue at MEATliquor was ridiculous and there was an hour wait at Hard Rock Café (queuing to get in here is like queuing to get kicked in the gentleman's area by the Klitschko brothers). Faced with a brief of “find a restaurant that serves cocktails”, impending cold, certain professional interests and it’s proximity to the queue of doom at Hard Rock, we headed to Trader Vic’s.<br/><br/>Vic’s would have always hit the brief on the head. Over the years, Vic’s has either created or had an important hand in crafting same damn fine and famous cocktails. A book released by the chain, and thus revised over the decades, Trader Vic’s Bartender’s Guide, provides many recipes, or recreations of existing recipes which are still recognised today as excellent examples of all kinds of drink – as long as they have some kind of tropical flair. Bergeron’s Gun Club Punch, from the 1972 edition of the book, is made with two kinds of rum and triple sec is lauded as one of the few balanced fruity cocktails, whereas Polly’s Special, a whiskey, Grand Marnier and grapefruit coupette, is a classic from the 1947 edition. Both are highly rated by Difford et al, but Vic’s is best know for being one of two possible creators of the Mai Tai, the other being the regal-sounding Ernest Raymond Beaumont-Gantt of Don the Beachcomber’s Bar in Hollywood.<br/><br/>Bergeron’s recipe is the most famous of the two, despite being created in 1944, ten years later than, allegedly, Beaumont-Gantt’s. Trader Vic’s oversized, colourful and illustrative cocktail menu boasts ten variations – eleven if you include the Mai Tai Wave, a rack of three ‘tasters’ – and the signature and original is made with Bacardi, orange curaçao, lime juice, almond syrup and sugar syrup. As we looked over the menu, I came damn close to trying one, but the temptations of the Samoan Fog Cutter, described as a ‘vaseful of rum, gin, brandy and sherry wine’ was too much. Despite the server helpfully adding the Fog Cutter “will help you see through the fog”, it actually tasted damn nice – a good balance between bitterly strong and blissfully fruity – though nowhere nears as nice as an accompanying Peach Tree Punch, made with yes, you guessed it – peaches and yes, you guessed it, rum.<br/><br/>At Trader Vic’s the cocktails are certainly the star of the show. As you make your way into the Hilton’s tropical-looking basement, you can either hang right into the bar or left into the restaurant – the bar is busiest. But don’t think that all drinks are fruity and rummy, and if they’re not, they’re shit. An after-dinner drink called the White Cloud was mad with vodka and laced with creme de cacao and it was bloody superb. Look beyond the Tiki clutter to the warm, woody decor, well-spaced tables and feeling of being ensconced that only a basement bar can provide – it makes Trader Vic’s an ideal location for clandestine and intimate meet ups… over ultra-strong drinks.<br/><br/>If food is needed to soak up the hooch, then Vic’s offers a Polynesian-y menu which stretches beyond to many cuisines all over the world. Much is made of their Cosmo Tidbits, a sharing platter that has been with the chain for eons. It brings together crab Rangoon, char siu pork, crispy shrimp and spare ribs and makes perfect(ly messy) bar food or starters. The menu, even by Mayfair hotel standards, is ludicrously expensive but the food is literally heaped onto the plate and I must confess, I was beaten by my main course of scallops with scallop noodles, enriched to wonderful madness by plum sauce, but the bowl was never ending. Five-spice crispy duck pancakes was better – a kind of do-it-yourself escapade of wrap, cucumber and pyramid of shredded duck that yes, beat us again. At least they offer you doggie bags here, just one example of a very laid back and friendly service, by a team largely consisting of smiley and chatty Polynesian, American and Asian servers, garbed up in either bright-printed sheer dresses or yes, you guessed it… Hawaiian shirts.<br/><br/>We left Trader Vic’s and headed up Park Lane. A Tiki-style restaurant in the heart of one of the most expensive post codes in the country doesn’t quite sit right, an observation made particularly poignant as we passed a gold-painted Bugatti Veyron a short time later. Even after a refurbishment, Trader Vic’s appears a little bit dated, an unfortunate coincidence more than anything else, seeing as such style will always naturally resemble the set of a 1970’s British sitcom. The chain itself is beyond the heyday of Tiki-mania, but operates a handful of sites around the world which do very well, and deserve to do so. Vic’s is Tiki – and does it to perfection, through heritage and style, and a quality product. I am sure that Beaumont-Gantt would disagree, but he’s got a double-barreled surname so what would he know?

Walking into Trader Vics can be quite surreal if you are not prepared. It has a tiki bar vibe which can come across as borderline tacky. The cocktails here can be very pricy and not very impressive. I did however enjoy going one night and seeing a live entertainer on guitar. It was a great atmosphere and the snacks were enjoyable. Place is worth a visit just to experience the ambiance.

Have you ever imagined what the gods would drink when they felt a little blue? A man in California thought of this and invented the Mai Tai. I have had Mai Tai at a couple of places in London, but none serve it in the manner it is served here. <br/><br/>No matter what you mood is, Trader Vics has got the perfect drinks. I wish I could say the same <br/>about the food. The staff is generally well acquainted with the drinks, so don't hesitate to ask for suggestions. <br/><br/>A piece of warning - The restaurant and bar is pretty posh and this reflects in the bill too. Do not get swayed away by the drinks that you forget to keep a tab on the bill.

Expensive! Or should I say, obviously expensive! What else to expect in a five star place? I have been to Trader Vics in 2 other countries and was frankly disappointed here. <br/><br/>I was expecting more of a lounge sort of setting with comfortable recliners which seems to be their global theme except London. Here the setting is much more formal, where you can discuss business but def not friendly banter.<br/><br/>As far as drinks are concerned, you can estimate £60 per person to be satisfied to some extent. So reserve it for a special occasion!

Trader vics is a bar with a tropical carribean set up. The interiors are woody and the entire place is very well decorated. Perfect lighting for a bar. I liked the concept of this place<br/><br/>It is an expensive place so be prepared. We ordered the Rum heg to be shared among 4 people which was £30. I would have imagined this drink to be huge but I was a bit disappointed. It was filled with ice and had very little drink in it. Did not satisfy 4.<br/><br/>They also have a drink which they serve in a pineapple called pino frio ..I loved this one. This one is a must try if you go trader vics. <br/><br/>I would say ..good concept ..different .. Slightly expensive .. I guess it's ok once in a while ! ? !!

I always like to order the signature drink of that particular Trader Vic’s, and here it’s the London Sour (£9), which Trader Vic himself made for the restaurant’s debut. It’s composed of Scotch whisky with orgeat, orange and lemon juice. (At other Trader Vic’s, it’s made with Bourbon and dubbed the Eastern Sour.) I don’t drink much Scotch so I was a bit hesitant about this one, but I loved it. The balance between sweet and sour was just perfect.

Good Food and that's it..... Being in London only for the weekend and staying at the hilton, Trader Vic's seemed like a simple solution for dinner. <br/><br/>The restaurant atmosphere is unique going for a hawaiin theme. However being in the basement it was very dark and a bit cold (decor). Now this may not represent the rest of the staff at our restaurant but our waiter was very very rude. It seemed as though we were wasting his time but having dinner. It made us feel very uncomfortable and really took away from the theme of the restaurant (happy). <br/><br/>There was no complaints when it came to the food. The currey (Polynesian style) was probably one of the best I have ever had. The cocktail menu was also very different and had many interesting drinks which. <br/><br/>When it comes down to it, I really have no interest in going back. Despite the amazing food, the service and atmosphere were lacking.