As one of the world’s most visited destinations, there are an abundance of activities to engage in London no matter what your tastes. For the modern gentleman, we focus on the classiest venues, historic stays and men’s interest leisure activities for the perfect business trip or week with the boys.
Sleep presidential
The Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill offers visitors an English gent style stay with a Churchill package in partnership with the former prime minister’s barber Truefitt & Hill, the oldest barbershop in the world. It includes accommodation, Pol Roger champagne (his favourite—make sure you get a glass at the Churchill Bar), dinner at The Montagu Kitchen—starring the best seasonal British produce in London, breakfast, plus a divine hot towel wet shave, beard or moustache trim. Even if you don’t opt for the package the entire hotel itself is superbly designed to honour the icon; with bespoke tailoring, refined décor, and subtle nods to his life and legacy. There are 440 rooms to lather in presidential themed luxury—equipped with 42” flat-screen HDTV, spacious work desk, and luxe bath products from Molton Brown. This Esquire-approved hotel is conveniently located on Portman Square, behind the action on Oxford Street.
Dress the part
London is a fashion capital, where you’ll discover a range of British designers from the eccentric Henry Holland to the smart and sophisticated Simon Carter. For trends, visit Carnaby Street, home of Scotch & Soda—wearable European couture, plus Fred Perry and Barbour, while Mayfair’s Albemarle Street is worth a stroll for luxury brands. Raining? SWIMS is Scandi chic featuring vibrant colours and shapes of the Nordic Harbour. Their loafers are light and weather-friendly. We also spotted Buckle and Seam on the front row at London Fashion Week this season. The ethical team’s leather goods are all the rage with the ‘fashion conscious’.
Do business over tea
In some cities, business is conducted over coffee, dim sum, or sake, but in London, its best over afternoon tea. Impress clients with towering views from The Shangri-La at The Shard, London’s tallest building, with a traditional champagne afternoon tea. Prefer ground-level? The Delaunay near Covent Garden offers a sumptuous Viennese afternoon tea with assorted sandwiches and savouries, poppy seed Gugelhupfs with apricot jam & whipped cream and classic Viennese cake. All their pastries are made on site, too. Finally, for the most IG friendly tea on earth, book a table in Sketch’s gorgeous pink gallery—it’s a work of art.
Plan play time
Loosen your collar with big boy games. You can show off/learn skills at Gorilla Circus Flying Trapeze School, where guests glide and flip 30 feet above ground (classes are held in Regents and Kensington Gardens over summer). Gym buffs can get blow some steam at Tough Mudder, a range of obstacle courses and mud runs (go for the 5K course if you want to be able to sightsee the next day!). Finally over at Sea Life London Aquarium you can swim and snorkel with their magnificent sharks including Grey Reefs. Experts will guide and provide all equipment for this once in a lifetime experience. Book ahead online.
Bookmark date spots
Movie buffs will love Picturehouse Central in Piccadilly, a cool rustic cinema with café and member’s terrace. For strolls and architecture, the Tower of London is home of the Crown Jewels and plenty of scenic spots. Music fans can snag tickets to a gig at The O2 or Eventim Apollo from Live Nation UK who has everything from KISS to Janelle Monae coming up. For jazz music check out Soho institution Ronnie Scott’s, showcasing live jazz talent every night of the week.
Dine like a European
London is where cultures come together in food; beautifully presented to throngs of hungry diners. MKNY HSE is Mayfair’s darling, serving contemporary Latin American cuisine alongside frequent live performances and DJ sets. Its split into a lounge bar upstairs and a restaurant downstairs which serves unforgettable seabass sashimi tostadas, prawn tempura fritos and the ‘Hamachi Tiradito’—yellowtail with subtle truffle dressing (best paired with a salad).
For something unique, try Dans Le Noir? in Farringdon. The Parisian-born restaurant serves meals in pitch black darkness—you’re led to your seat by blind or partially sighted staff and you’ll guess what you’re eating from pre-selected menus. The sight switch off heightens your sense of taste so the flavours are richer, and you’ll have a lot of fun with those sitting around you.
Drink classy
The difference between man and a gentleman is in the liquor. Bar 45 at 45 Park Lane serves the city’s best Negroni. Look out for their ‘Negroni Nights’ series—an interactive Negroni masterclass with canapés—held bi-monthy within the Media Room. Meanwhile, the multi-awarded Connaught Bar offers a world-class drinking experience and is an institution for cocktail lovers. Try the ‘Sweet and Z’, designed by mixology stars Agostino Perrone and Giorgio Bargiani. The creation comes over an ice diamond and features Patrón Reposado tequila mixed with Martini Rubino and Punt and Mes, Galliano L’Aperitivo, Caco Cascara light cream and Galliano L’Autentico. It’s cocktail perfection.
Allow for relaxation
To recharge we suggest The Spa at InterContinental London – The O2. Their ‘morning chill spa’ package includes coffee and pastries, a treatment and use of facilities including a super relaxing pool. The area is quiet and you’ll get your calm back amidst the hectic city. For an energy boost, LondonCryo offers IV drips, vitamin shots and Cryo facials in addition to Cryotherapy in Shoreditch.
Did you know that polyphenol in grapes stimulates circulation and detoxifies the skin, leaving it hydrated and rejuvenated? The team at Ella Di Rocco Wellness MediSpa in Chelsea bring you these benefits via wine therapy. Try the Merlot Body Scrub, followed by a Sangiovese Bath & Grape Seed full body massage. There’s nothing like soaking your stresses away in a tub filled with warm water, wine, virgin grape juice and rose petals. Cheers to that.
