Back In The UK

After another early ferry, this time from Dublin to Holy Head, we were blessed with several hours of down time before the next train to London.  We decided to sleep for most of the train ride back as we had already seen most of the landscape on our train to Holy Head two days before. When we were not sleeping, we were either eating or playing more competitive games of gin rummy. Before we knew it, we were back in London and ready to meet up with our friend Mac.

Our train arrived in London Euston station around 6:00 PM, which worked out perfectly because Mac did not get off work until then. After riding the subway, known as the “tube” by the Brits, we found ourselves walking on King’s Road in Chelsea. After passing Sloane Square, it was obvious that this part of town was a hotbed for shopping, with designer stores lined up and down the street. As we walked, we began noticing that every single car on the road was top of the line as well. It looked like a scene from a television show. Think of the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, except every 5 minutes you see a Bentley or Ferrari driving back from the grocery store. In Mac’s own words, “Sloane Square is the Madison Avenue of the UK”. Mac’s directions led us to his apartment in Chelsea Cloisters, where we would be staying for the next two nights.

We grabbed a quick bite to eat after catching swapping stories of our summers with Mac, and decided that the best way to blow off some steam from our travels and his hectic week of work was a drink. Rather than heading to a pub, Mac brought us to the lobby of his apartment complex and led us to the back of the building. As we walked down an empty hallway, we noticed that a man in a suit was awkwardly standing next to the wall as if he was a bouncer. And that is exactly what he was. Mac had somehow infiltrated an exclusive Speakeasy after being in London for only one week.  The bouncer then funneled us into a smaller waiting area with that was covered with Mickey Mouse wallpaper (seriously). Moments later, a slit opened in the door we were now facing. Luckily Mac was at our side to deliver some type of password or proof of worthiness.

            The Speakeasy was unlike any bar or club we had seen. The room consisted of several small tables with lit candles at every one. The waitresses were dressed the part in red velvet outfits and took Mac’s specific and complex order for 4 Manhattan Cocktails. As we made it through our second drink, the place began to fill with more guests, many with elaborate costumes, others grabbing a mask or wig from the bin at the front door. Not prepared for such an occasion, we finished our drinks and met up with Mac’s friend from Austria for her birthday party. The cab dropped us off at Public, a high-end nightclub that was far from public admission. As we entered the club, each new girl seemed prettier than the last and the DJ kept everyone dancing till the wee hours of the morning.  Sorry for no pictures