Date Night HQ - Below Stone Nest

Thinking of where to take out your date tonight? There’s a hidden gem of a date-spot lying slap-bang in the very heart of London, just off Cambridge Circus. There’s no sign outside so many late-night passersby are oblivious to its wonderful existence. There’s rarely a queue and the entrance is small and inconspicuous (and there’s no entry fee).

A bouncer checks your IDs and you descend down a flight of steps towards rising cacophony and music, leaving behind the hustle and bustle of the city outside and entering Below Stone Nest. You come out into a high-ceilinged industrial style underground lair with paint peeling from the walls, cast-iron pillars holding everything up and candlelit tables creating the atmosphere of a cosy ancient cathedral. If you’re lucky there will be a live music band busting out some soulful tunes on stage or a DJ turning tables. After grabbing a cocktail and sitting down at one of the tables you can enjoy the game of guessing ‘who’s on their first date’ as the warm candlelight illuminates the faces of dozens of couples speaking sweet nothings to each other.

Romance is in the air. After a couple very good and reasonably priced Cuban Mules go hit the dance floor and get down to the music blasting from the massive concert-grade speakers in which the bass dial has been turned up to maximum capacity. When you get tired of dancing, return to the intimacy of your table and watch the chaos unravel. The clientele is always interesting, cool and fashionably dressed. This place oozes with magical atmosphere and serves as a great catalyst of romantic connection. I had my first date here with my girlfriend and a year later we are still going strong. And every time we come back to Below Stone Nest there’s always something different going on - but the spirit of the place is always just as thrilling and the cocktails just as delicious.