London's sexiest places ... for illicit liaisons

 
28 January 2015

ES Magazine uncovers the capital's sexiest places: The oldest wine bar in London and a Turkish bathhouse...

Gordon's Wine Bar
The oldest wine bar in London is scandalously dark, cavernous and candlelit, with an epic list of wines by the glass. You sit amidst the barrels under the arches of the Embankment with the ghosts of Samuel Pepys and Rudyard Kipling to keep you and your increasingly inebriated date company. In summer you can spill outside on to Watergate Walk to get fresh. 47 Villiers Street, WC2 gordonswinebar.com)
Olivia Cole, journalist

The Bathhouse
Built in the 1890s, this Turkish bathhouse near Liverpool Street has only a small kiosk in the old churchyard hinting, Tardis-like, at the labyrinthine complex beneath the pavement. This was a steamy netherworld of marble, mosaics and plenty of twiddly bits creating 'an arena in which health, pleasure, culture and curiosity could collide; a mystical world far from restrictive Victorian society'. Descend the spiral staircase to the restored bathhouse today and find yourself in a wonderland of decadence, complete with cabaret acts and burlesque performers. 7-8 Bishopsgate Churchyard, EC2 (thebathhousevenue.com)

Smoking Terrace at The Club at the Ivy
With its heated stone bench and modernist sculpture of an embracing couple (concealing the ashtray) this terrace is the place where London's beautiful people seduce each other beneath plumes of nicotine. The art world's prom king and queen, Polly Morgan and Mat Collishaw, practically live up there. 9 West Street, WC2 (the-ivyclub.co.uk)

Chelsea Arts Club
From its lush garden, ideal for furtive fumbles behind the palms, to the intimacy of the candlelit dining room, to the shadowyminstrels' gallery, this members' club offers libidinous arty types the perfect setting to indulge in nights - and days - of dissolute behaviour. Upstairs, the bedrooms are all the sexier for their spare décor (and cheap rates), and boast romantic views over Chelsea gardens. Old Church Street, SW3 (chelseaartsclub.com)

Blakes Hotel
The boudoir vibe and dark velvets are reminiscent of Le Marais, in Paris. 33 Roland Gardens, SW7 (blakeshotels.com)
Jamie Reuben

The Rasul at Elemis day-spa
Forty-five minutes of intimate, steamy mud-rubbing and rain-showering in a private rasul for two makes this Arabian cleansing ritual the sexiest treatment in town. 2-3 Lancashire Court, W1 (elemis.com/dayspa)

Dukes hotel bar
Down a cobbled alleyway in St James's sits Dukes hotel, an intimate establishment with a reputation to match. The bar - rather, its discreet barman, Alessandro - is famous for miraculous Martinis, the perfect way to start a secret liaison. And even if you are spotted, no one will tell... nobody there is with who they're meant to be with. St James's Place, SW1 (dukeshotel.com)

Black's members' club
This Georgian Soho townhouse is all wood panelling, dim lighting and opulent décor, with creaky floorboards, Hogarth prints and open fires lending an air of time-honoured, genteel debauchery. After a meaty dinner, retire to what is fondly known as the 'bugger room' where the hot-spot is the kilim-strewn bed in a shadowy nook. 67 Dean Street, W1 (020 7287 3381)

The Grenadier
Bag a window stool on a winter's night for the perfect assignation venue. Presuming, that is, you can locate it. Tucked behind The Lanesborough hotel, this pub is as tricky to find as any Soho sex den, but the sentry box standing to attention outside will point you in the right direction. The intimate interior is decorated with shiny sabres and bushy bearskins and there's a tiny restaurant at the back - we recommend the jumbo sausage. Wilton Row, SW1 (020 7235 3074)

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