DESTINATION Dukes Bar on St James Place, London
INSPIRATION Matthew Rhys of “Brothers & Sisters” gave me clear direction on what I MUST DO in London—which turns out to involve a very stiff drink and, as Moneypenny would say, “a cunning linguist.”
Finding Dukes Bar on my last day in London became my very own James Bond mission. After being dropped at two wrong hotels and given a slew of bad directions from locals, I found myself taking a deep breath as I walked up to the unmarked spot at the end of a residential street. Please be the place. I was 45 minutes late and in panic mode. Fortunately Angie Panicki has one thing going for her—she makes friends fast. Probably because we are at our most honest when we’re feeling completely off-kilter.
Or is that just me?
Oversized armoire chairs sat just inside the entrance, and a small, intimate bar was just to the right. As I walked toward it, I felt like I was in the living room of a charming castle. Down past the bar I spotted a boyishly handsome, dark-haired man in a suit who I desperately hoped was the “friend” my brother had sent me to meet—particularly since there wasn’t anyone else in the bar under 60.
As I walked up, he gave me a big, gorgeous grin, setting down his martini to jump up and pull me into a hug. It was as if he was my own brother, and I immediately felt all the frustration of trying to get to the bar fade. And straight out of an episode of “I Love Lucy,” I couldn’t stop myself from diving right in, complete with blurting and blabbering, “Oh My God—You are not going to believe what happened to me!! Chris, no one knows where anything is in London, and trying to find you was a nightmare scavenger hunt with trick directions…and then there was the ‘fake’ St Dukes bathroom….”
Chris was laughing as he pulled me down into the comfy armchair across from him. The move didn’t stop me as I rattled on about the comedy of errors that ensued en route to our meeting. Mid-rambling, I came up for air just in time to throw a little blame his way. “But WAIT! You?! You didn’t confirm our drinks!
We both laughed, realizing that I hadn’t even waited for a, “hello, nice to meet you” before I was calling him out like he really was my brother. Chris seemed entertained and possibly a bit overwhelmed.
“The bartenders thought I was lying about a girl coming to meet me!”
We laughed again
“Well here we are, and I need a drink!”
I looked back toward the bar and took in the atmosphere. Dukes liquors up a sophisticated crowd. All the men were smoking cigars and wearing padded elbow jackets.
Our waiter, an adorable little 70-year-old, approached, as if on cue.
“Well, hello young lady! What can I get you?
FROM Matthew Rhys
TO Angie Banicki
subject Re: Palms Place Opening - LAS VEGAS INVITE
Here’s the quick list...
Have a pint at the ‘Coach and Horses’ Greek Street, in Soho. It’s a bit of a dive and soon to close. It was Peter O’Toole’s favourite pub as well as Oliver Reed. Very famous with the old brigade of actors.
Around the corner is Kettners restaurant (very reasonable) - Oscar Wilde used to eat there. Still retains old school charm and has a pianist and great Champagne bar.
Stand on Waterloo bridge at night and look in both directions. (Em- bankment tube station. Green line.) Def do this one.
Go to Borough market on Sunday morning. (Check it’s open). It’s on the northern line (underground). (The Black line).
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30 Before 30
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