Quick info
About Downstairs at The Dilly
Downstairs at The Dilly is a subterranean piano bar at 21 Piccadilly in London, set within a hotel. A live pianist plays in the bar, and magic is performed live at the table, so the entertainment comes to guests where they sit. Cocktails arrive smoking and changing colour, and a cocktail waiter serves them at the table. The drinks also include an espresso martini. Seating comes as sofas and pouffes, and tapas are on offer alongside the cocktails. Afternoon tea is served too, with a Peter Rabbit themed version.
Good to know
“Chic, contemporary bar with pouffes and sofas, for cocktails and tapas, in an elegant hotel setting.”
- AccessibilityWheelchair: restroom
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention live pianist, peter rabbit afternoon tea, creative smoking cocktails and live table magic.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention live pianist, peter rabbit afternoon tea, creative smoking cocktails and live table magic.
Customer Review Summary
Cocktails draw the most praise, especially the creative ones that smoke and change colour, and an espresso martini one reviewer calls the best ever. Bartenders and a cocktail waiter are described as friendly, kind and professional. Live magic at the table and the pianist's music add to a relaxing, subterranean room that one reviewer says smells spectacular. Close behind is the Peter Rabbit themed afternoon tea, called delicious and creative, with staff described as lovely and welcoming. One reviewer finds the drinks pricier than at other good cocktail bars nearby, though still calls the service impeccable. The negatives are sharper. One guest calls the bar manager condescending and absent until the bill, with no time to check the receipt, and reports mould on the ice. Another says an ice cream ordered to the room never arrived despite repeated unanswered calls to room service and the front desk, and a requested call back from the general manager never came.
Customer Review Summary
Cocktails draw the most praise, especially the creative ones that smoke and change colour, and an espresso martini one reviewer calls the best ever. Bartenders and a cocktail waiter are described as friendly, kind and professional. Live magic at the table and the pianist's music add to a relaxing, subterranean room that one reviewer says smells spectacular. Close behind is the Peter Rabbit themed afternoon tea, called delicious and creative, with staff described as lovely and welcoming. One reviewer finds the drinks pricier than at other good cocktail bars nearby, though still calls the service impeccable. The negatives are sharper. One guest calls the bar manager condescending and absent until the bill, with no time to check the receipt, and reports mould on the ice. Another says an ice cream ordered to the room never arrived despite repeated unanswered calls to room service and the front desk, and a requested call back from the general manager never came.
Featured reviews
- Google user
“A very nice bar in a good location. The drinks are decent, although they are a bit more expensive than in other good cocktail bars in the area. The service, however, was impeccable. The lady who greets and serves guests is extremely curteous and helpful if you need help deciding. The pianist was also amazing. Overall, a solid cocktail bar.”
- Google user
“It smells spectacular at this subterranean bar. I had the best espresso martini EVER. The Russian woman who serves as the cocktail waiter is kind and professional.”
- Google user
“Stopped in for an after dinner drink and atmosphere was nice and relaxing. Great music being played by the pianist as well in this piano bar. Nice place to wind down the night.”
- Google user
“Soda water in a mixer is £4.50. The bar manager was very condescending and overall was not present until cashing out the bill. Where she did not give us time to even look at the receipt. I have stayed at the dilly many times and this has been my limit. Never again. Do not go to any restaurant or bar on this premises. If you are staying here do not buy any room service ever. No food recommended. Everything other than the room is really horrible. There was mould on the ice. Please avoid.”
- Google user
“Paid $800 aud for two rooms which looked like a 2 star hostel. Ordering a bowl of ice cream for my son to the room took 2 hours of numerous calls including having to use my cellphone because no one every picked up using the landline when either trying room service or front desk. I’ve cream never did arrive. Asked that the GM James please call me - he never did. Outrageous”
Amenities
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Location
Bars near Downstairs at The Dilly
- SOMA Soho4.71,7330.1 mi
chaat cocktail, indian-inspired cocktails, cucumber cocktail
- Chequers Tavern4.27530.1 mi£10–20Outdoor seatingWi-Fi
sunday roast, fish and chips, draft beer
- Goat Tavern Mayfair4.38310.2 mi£10–20ReservationsGood for kids
fish and chips, cosy hidden mayfair pub, upstairs for afternoon drinks
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Downstairs at The Dilly | 4.4109 | — | — | live pianist, peter rabbit afternoon tea, creative smoking cocktails |
| SOMA Soho | 4.71,733 | 0.1 mi | — | chaat cocktail, indian-inspired cocktails, cucumber cocktail |
| Chequers TavernOutdoor seating · Wi-Fi | 4.2753 | 0.1 mi | £10–20 | sunday roast, fish and chips, draft beer |
| Goat Tavern MayfairReservations · Good for kids | 4.3831 | 0.2 mi | £10–20 | fish and chips, cosy hidden mayfair pub, upstairs for afternoon drinks |
The 3 nearest bars by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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