"From the live band on the stage to the distressed basement walls, there is something distinctly Left Bank Paris about this moody bar on Shaftesbury Avenue. Below Stone Nest’s concise cocktail menu keeps things simple for anyone who’s indecisive and the abundance of tea lights keeps the group hang tone set to sophisticated. But with a closing time of 2am from Wednesday to Saturday, we can’t promise things will stay completely sophisticated. Know that it’s walk-in-only, but we’ve never had a problem just rocking up. You might have to lean at the bar then pounce on a free table if there are a few of you. " - heidi lauth beasley, jake missing, sinead cranna