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Mahiki

1 Dover Street, W1S 4LD Full details & map

Bar

Time Out says 8 Users say 3/5 Rate it

By Time Out Editors Posted: Jun 29 2010

Don't try to take this mock-Polynesian palace seriously. You can't. It's silly, it's tacky, it attracts monied airheads - and it's bags of fun, made likeable by an international team of bar staff well versed in the twin arts of mixing drinks and dealing with too-trashed idiots.

Given the just-off-Piccadilly setting and the candlelit-Hawaiiana surrounds, prices for early-evening drinks aren't too brutal: less than a tenner for a Honolulu Honey (with Chairman's Reserve rum from St Lucia) or a Dark & Stormy (also rum-based, this time with Gosling's Black Seal).

Go later, though, and you'll need to factor in a hefty admission fee (up to £15), which may make shared drinks the way to go. Try the three-person Bikini Blast (with El Jimador tequila), the four-person Zombie (with various rums and absinthe), or the eight-person Mystery Drink (it's a mystery!).

Tags: Cocktails, Central, Mayfair, Bar

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Mahiki details

Address

Mahiki

1 Dover Street W1S 4LD

Transport Green Park tube

Telephone

020 7493 9529

Mahiki website

Open 5.30pm-3.30am Mon-Fri; 7.30pm-3.30am Sat. Food served 5.30-11pm Mon-Sat. Admission £10 after 9.30pm Mon-Wed; £15 after 9.30pm Thur-Sat

Admission £10 after 9.30pm Mon-Wed; £15 after 9.30pm Thur-Sat.

Credit cards MC, V

Facilities

Entertainment ( DJs 10.30pm Mon-Sat )

Mahiki map

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Comments & ratings 3/5 (Average of 8 ratings)

By Hilda - Jan 19 2012

Thought I'd let reviwers know about global Mahiki policy, so here's my two cents from Dubai:
I'm afraid I had the dire misfortune to visit Mahiki last night. It was Ladies night but apparently they weren't letting the ladies in or at least not all of them. You see, your chances of getting in are determined by a snooty young man with bouffant hair who obviously tough he was Lord of the doormen. In spite of politely asking and reasoning with him to let three well-dressed and need I say, Indian, women in, he said we couldn't enter unless we had table reservations. I must state at this time that I had called up the lovely Layla of Mahiki earlier in the day to enquire about the need for bookings and such, and was assured we could just walk in.
As we waited cluelessly, I couldn't help but notice that there were hordes of waiting "western" women, along with their men, being let in. I went back and asked our friendly neighborhood doorperson why (oh why?), he told me their names were on the guest list. They must have mysteriously appeared on that enigmatic list as they had certainly been waiting too! I asked if there was any chance we could enter if we played the game and waited, but he said no. I asked if we could get a table (please, sir?). He said “I’m afraid there's a minimum spend, and it's just too expensive"!!!!
I beg to understand why the staff of a club would presume that a client would not be able to afford a table at this elusive haunt? Surely, being a club does not separate it from being part of the hospitality industry? Are such staff trained to talk this way to patrons, or are they just chosen for their scintillating personalities?
Whether I can afford to buy a table is at my discretion and my decision entirely, and not for this snootier version of a doorperson to decide. I was insulted and appalled at this treatment, especially because I was with an out-of-town friend. Dubai prides itself on being cosmpolitan, and a melting pot of cultures and nationalities, but when it comes right down to the basics, am I right in understanding we are back to the black or white issue? I mean, if the doorman assumed i could not afford a table (though I was in my favourite red Cavalli dress, designer bag in tow), I can only imagine that the only distinguishing point must have been my ethnicity?
I am not one one of those over-sensitive, race-card-playing types, and I personally have never encountered any such issues in Dubai in all my 10 years here. I frequent all the upscale clubs and restaurants in the UAE without ever having been turned away. Last night was a huge exception, and Mahiki has let me down immensely.

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By Disapointed - Jan 7 2012

1/5

The staff in this bar are really, really rude and obnoxious. They ruined what would otherwise have been a great night. There are much better places to spend your money.

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By Noreen - Dec 14 2011

Headed to Mahiki early doors, and was greeted by a friendly girl on the door who directed us to the lounge. the cocktails were superb, recommend the dark and stormy made by the fun bartenders. a small evening turned into a big night out! no issues at all.

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By Leanna - Dec 13 2011

Headed to mahiki after a recommendation from a friend in london. we arrived early around 8, and was greeted by a pretty girl on the door who kindly led us down to the lounge where there was a nice buzz early. cocktails were highly recommended, definitely try out their mahiki coconut which the bartenders let us sample! great place to go for a quick drink and a bite to eat or a night out which we had till 2am!

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By PW - Dec 11 2011

1/5

Worst experience out. I went for a friend's birthday and showed up 10 minutes late. The door-lady would not let me in, but my friend came up to get me soon after. Then the door-lady asked where my other two friends were as she still wouldn't let me in. I came alone, but she insisted I came with two other girls (because all Chinese people are friends apparently). She let me in because I was by myself with white girls. Spot on horrible place. It was empty inside as well. Definitely never going here again.

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By Chantel - Oct 30 2011

1/5

This place completely ruined my birthday. They failed to tell me that all my guests had to all turn up at the same time as the table was booked. In the real world, not everyone can turn up at the same time. I never had anyone over the maximum amount on the table and their excuse for not letting my guests in was that they had the maximum capacity in the place. I never play the race card but there was definitely discrimination here as they wouldn't let my black friends in late but they would let my white friends in. I didn't think that kind of thing happened anymore. Totally wrong. Completely avoid going there.

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By dk - Oct 9 2011

1/5

Racist liars. They take your reservation so they can't be sued for discrimination, then lie about being double-booked b/c they don't want a group of brown people (Indians in our case) in. They nearly ruined my birthday. If you have any morals, don't spend your money in this backwards place with an 18th-century moral code. Boycott. **For the record, this is the first time I've ever felt discriminated against in the UK. I never pull the race card, this is an exception.

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By Michael - Oct 2 2011

1/5

Do NOT go here, worst club in London, door staff assault customers , rip off drinks and poor service. STAY WELL AWAY!!

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By Romas - Aug 4 2011

5/5

Great place! Simply Great!

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By Sammy - Jun 27 2011

5/5

What an amazing place. Everyone i s so welcoming, catering ot all your needs. THE CROWD WAS ABSOLUTELY STUNNING! would recommend it to everyone who wants a good ngiht without worrying about a pretentious crowd.

The drinks are your standard london prices, and wherever you go id be willing to pay £10 for the most alcoholicly leathal cocktails ive drank for sure, and the fact that they're all prepared while being performed to by the flirty bar men is 100% a plus!!

all in i'd say it would be one of the ebst nightclubs in town and everyone should check it out! xx

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By Katie - May 11 2011

Headed to Mahiki over the weekend for a friends birthday, we booked their secret motel room for the night, and just one word, wow!!we had personal service, the room was dressed up very retro, and a great surprise was the karaoke machine above the sink in the bathroom!!!such a great concept and definitely a different birthday experience!The staff spoilt us from start to finish, and we shall definitely be down to party again!

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By Pippa - Jan 11 2011

Had a great night when I came down on Thursday, seemed quite corporate from the queues, but inside there was a great mixture of people!!Atmosphere was great throughout, and the music was lviely, and a great mix for everyone!!Stayed till the end due to my friends and myself, drinking too many of the treasure chests!!

Having a party on the Tuesday, and definitely cant wait to go back again!!

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By Christian - Nov 23 2010

Door people are rude and on a power trip. They are very "selective", one of our party members (we had a table) was not let in and it was later found out that it was because he "did not have the club look" this is either borderline racists or it is, we think it's because he wasn't white. The door-lady is annoying and horrible and pretends that she owns the club and treats everyone like scum. People that were in front of the queue were moved to the "special queue" and had to wait another 10 minutes to be let in. The club ceilings are low and its danky and gross. The bathroom attendants are rude and unappreciative of any tips. They want a tip for getting out of their seat and doing their job. They will even argue with the customer, considering we are basically paying their wages by being consumers. One refused to let me and my friend leave because we did not tip him and he presided to grab us and not let us out of the bathroom. My friend actually tipped another attendant and she was upset that it wasn't enough.

This place is overpriced and they extremely rude. Avoid if possible.