Dukes London, St James Suite

I recently visited Dukes Bar in London with high hopes for a pleasant evening, but I was met with an experience that left a sour taste in my mouth. Despite being initially welcomed and told we could be seated, everything took a turn for the worse when the staff member went to consult with someone else, only to return with an abrupt “sorry, you can’t come in.” It was disheartening to see such blatant exclusion happening in 2025, a year where inclusivity should be the norm. The whole situation felt premeditated, as if they were actively judging patrons based on criteria that had nothing to do with the quality of service or the experience they offer. It’s a shame that in a vibrant city like London, there are still places that perpetuate a culture of exclusiveness and elitism. Instead of feeling welcome and valued, we left feeling dismissed and frustrated. There are countless venues in London that embrace diversity and ensure that everyone, regardless of their background or appearance, is welcomed with open arms. Dukes Bar clearly has a long way to go in fostering an inclusive environment for all its patrons. This experience was not just disappointing; it was a sad reminder that places like Dukes still exist, choosing to judge rather than celebrate the richness of our diverse society. I would strongly advise anyone seeking a warm and inviting atmosphere to look elsewhere. There are many better options in London where every type of person is genuinely welcomed. Shame on the staff and management for perpetuating this outdated mentality.

It is rare I leave such a poor review, however my experience at Dukes yesterday evening left me feeling embarrassed, and such I want to express my disappointment. When I arrived, my party were already seated at the back of the bar, and the seat I had faced away from the entire bar. As I had been super excited to ‘experience’ Dukes, and watch the barman who was directly behind me with the trolley pour martinis, I decided to move my chair around. I thought it easier to do that by switching my chair with the one better positioned behind me on the empty table. No sooner had a stood up, the barman looked at me with what I can only describe as utter disgust, and rudely/loudly said ‘are you ok?’. The bar was so quiet that all customers stared at me and listened to the entire interaction which was incredibly embarrassing, he offered zero discretion. I told him I just wanted to be able to see what was going on and he dismissively said ‘fine, but a party of 5 are soon arriving and now won’t have enough room to sit so you will have to move’. I totally understand that me moving a chair in a civilised bar, and unintentionally messing up the seating plan may not have been ideal. Had the barman politely explained that I would have been totally understanding. But it was a small, well meaning action on my part, and quite frankly he was rude, unprofessional and ruined my entire experience. I then had to be served by him and spend £27 on a cocktail whilst feeling ashamed. I would expect that 5* service in a bar/hotel such as Dukes extends to not only the quality of drinks but the warmth, hospitality and professionalism of your staff.