Apartment 195

10-10-2008
stephanie_keen

Had the misfortune to attend on a so called 'showcase event' trying to persuade my company to book their christmas party there. I arrived just after the advertised opening time and they were not ready - I was ignored for about 5 minutes and then asked to go away for 20 minutes as they weren't ready for me. Only one glass of champagne was offered and then the barman hissed that all drinks must be paid for. No-one smiled or came to find out how our evening was going. A couple of plates of canapes came round which could have come from any supermarket. As I was leaving the organiser asked if my company was going to make a booking. I declined on the basis that I had seen better venues and received much better treatment elsewhere. She didnt seem bothered, like she would have been doing me a massive favour anyway. I cant believe that someone with such clear inexperience is organising company christmas parties. This place could be better if the staff situation is sorted out. The decor is lovely, the drinks prices are as you would expect in chelsea, but you dont expect surly and miserable service. I will not be returning and I will not be recommending it to my company.

16-01-2007
Marie

A safe-haven from the busy Kings Road. You enter through a small door next to Henry J Bean's making it seem somewhat like a members bar but far friendlier. There are three rooms but the main bar is great if you enjoy watching the barstaff making the cocktails. There is table service the comfy leather seating and the longest cocktail menu I have ever seen. Along with the classics, there are a number of unique mixes including the London cocktails which are names after London icons. The Changing of the guard really does look like a beefeater and the double decker is a potent double layed cocktails.A classy, young professional crowd.

08-06-2006
Jimmy Jimmy

I little slice of Chelsea hell. Girls with more money then sense and ditto the blokes. Shame as the venue is cool.

21-03-2006
MyVillage

This lounge bar and events space is super stylish - attracting plenty of Trinny and Hugh-a-likes to sip cocktails and regale each other with tall stories involving money, famous people and Nannies. A discreet entrance welcomes you into Apartment 195, giving the impression of being an elite members club without the snobbery or pretence. There are three rooms that are connected via different corridors and stairways, making it all feel rather exciting and mysterious - who is in tonight? Well darling, you can't quite tell, unless you are in the habit of peering around sofas. Ah - sofas. Good quality, comfy, 'lose yourself in them for a week' sofas abound, as well as original furnishings such as fireplaces and good quality artwork on the walls. A good atmosphere helps the feeling of being somewhere classy yet not brash and overdone. Another tasteful point is that fact that there is a TV room off the main lounge, so its either there if you want, but not in your face like so many big screen places. Their cocktail list is quite imaginative - think rhubarb infused sake, think lychee, think lemongrass, think hopefully alcohol somewhere in there. Also quite a surprise to be served by a lady who seemed to have forgotten to put a top over her lingerie - until I realised this was the theme. Surely they must feel a little nippy surrounded by all those ice cubes.