Belle Livingstone's 58th Street Country Club — Restaurant in London

What makes for GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE - 58th Street by The Lost Estate and the way things are handled when things don’t go to plan!

My visit to 58th Street by The Lost Estate recently went disastrously wrong before I arrived.

The postcode advertised on their site for the event took me to a location 10-12 minutes, by car, away from the actual venue and, at the time, the click through directions on the website weren’t working. The issue, replicated on 3 satnav apps, was more challenging to either understand and correct than you’d think.

Seeking assistance was somewhat complicated by the fact that The Lost Estate box office closed at 5.30, with no alternative contact details published.

The consequence of this was that we finally arrived at the door an hour after the start, and some 3 courses of the meal having already been served.

The door man, seeing our frustration, professionally and politely attempted to empathise.

Whilst, observing that this was insufficient, the manager Imy professionally stepped in. Imy quickly ascertained what was required to defuse the immediate tension and helped us settle into our seats.

Unfortunately, despite the serving staff also being friendly, polite, caring, attentive, and clearly having been briefed, the events schedule required that we then be served all the 3 courses we'd missed, altogether and without any break.

This reigniting and accelerating the frustrations we felt. It was clear nothing was now going to recover the evening! What was to be done?

For certain this needed further discussion and likely we should leave, and cut away from our disappointment.

Back to a 2nd conversation with Imy.

The understanding manner in which Imy progressed the ensuing conversation was exemplary beyond words. A supreme balance of active listening: varying between empathy, acknowledgement, positive positioning and clear concern to make things as right as possible within the constraints of the process she and the event was working under.

In the end, we did stay but with the caveat that Imy would report back our decision to ‘cut and run’ to the central team.

However, after that Imy didn’t just leave us to our own devises. Instead with just a few small gestures that were specific to our experience (e.g. a small upgrade to our seating position, as neither of us were drinking); and the continued attentive service, which, in fact, it was clear everyone was receiving. We were able to enjoy the remainder of the evening and atmosphere of the Jazz extravaganza. Well worth a visit by the way.

I did subsequently email in, but it was an early call from Peyton in reply to the previous evening’s voice mail that started my conversation with the box office. Once again, I benefited from someone demonstrating the art of positive and considerate active listening, which generated confidence in a promise that they would loop back to my earlier email and with Imy. Then, get back to me.

This of course they did; chasing me over the subsequent days which were busy for me and during which I had limited availability.

Throughout it’s clear all of 58th Street's staff have received and absorbed excellent customer service training, and everyone has the desire to deliver the very best experience, whatever the issue.

Not a surprise then that the outcome was one you’d only expect of the most professional and caring of organisation.

Noting the few points at the front of this review, which The Lost Estate said they expect to address, I’d unreservedly encourage anyone who enjoys Jazz and immersive experiences to attend this event. Indeed, anyone who likes a vibrant evening out.

My advice: choose a booth or a table; the upgrade is more comfortable and worth it. Do also chat to the staff as they serve you. They are lovely and help make the event a real immersive occasion.

I’ll be saving my pennies to visit this or one of their other...

SPOILERS;

I'm writing this review not just to endorse how amazing this event is, but to ease the nerves of anyone who's worried about booking this - or has booked and is worried because the event is non-refundable (something that worried me) - and has read a bad review (which now having been, I absolutely cannot believe).

The ONLY negative is the location. Peckham isn't a particularly nice place, and being dressed up to the nines leaves you feeling a bit exposed. I wasn't comfortable walking to the venue, but as soon as we got there and saw a queue of similarly dressed people, we relaxed.

I kept reading - "from the minute you walk in" in reviews and it really is FROM THE MINUTE YOU WALK IN. You're greeted by name by a fabulous host, taken to a table, greeted by a waiter who knows what menu you've chosen, tended to and looked after and made to feel like royalty. I booked two cabaret dining tickets and our seats couldn't have been more perfect. We were right next to the band - who are magical. The singers, dancers, waiters, Belle, the hazy smokey atmosphere, the bar, the decoration, everything down to the lamps, it's all magic. Everyone's smiling and happy and their energy is infectious.

We could go in from 6 and get drinks and enjoy the vibe, and then at 7:30 sharp the "show" begins. Six perfectly sized plates of food are brought out at various intervals, presented beautifully, taste incredible, served wonderfully. There's a service charge on the bill but I've never been to a more deserving establishment. Drinks are not cheap, but there's options that aren't bank breaking. People have said in some reviews that the wine is too expensive and yes - £40 is expensive for a bottle of wine but it's just part of it. We paid about £130 in total on top of our tickets and we were more than happy.

The food was absolutely delicious, the drinks were gorgeously presented and tasty, the atmosphere from the minute you walk in is smokey and hazy and so 1930s, the people were incredible. Towards the end of the evening, everyone is up and dancing - and while there's not exactly a dance floor - it matters not. People dance around the tables and the energy is contagious.

There are people complaining about not being able to take photos or videos. You can see from the reviews, and mine, that people do, but I completely endorse them saying no photography allowed. It means (for the most part) people don't have their phones out, the dim hazy lighting that makes it what it is isn't ruined by phone screens and camera flashes. People take them slyly because you want the memories but not being allowed to (and they will come and tell you off) makes the experience so much better. Perhaps at the end of the show they should let you take photos so you have the memories; there were couples celebrating 30/50 year wedding anniversaries and a woman celebrating 75. People want the photos.

Lastly, Dress Up. I saw one couple who hadn't made much effort and honestly they stuck out. Sparkles, glittery gowns, tassels, flapper headbands, feathers, pearls, suits, bow ties - everyone looked incredible and the fact that everyone gets to involved makes it even more special.

You just have to go. If you're on the fence, if you're worried that maybe it's too good to be true, if you read a bad review and think - oh god what if it's not what it says it is - I was you - and I was nervous until the minute I stepped out of that alley and into 1930.

Special shout out to Belle, who's incredible voice, acting, persona, and wow factor stole the show. The band and Ayesha were sensational. Honestly I could write about it all day.

Please go. You won't be disappointed. It's the best night out in London I have ever had - and maybe ever.

Thank you Lost Estate. I cannot wait for...

Belle Livingstone’s 58th Street Country Club was a fantastic experience and evening out.

Our trip to 58th Street had been booked for several weeks and the excitement and anticipation of going had really built up due to the superb footage we had constantly seen on Instagram and, the website. As a result expectations were high and I suppose, this also meant a high risk of disappointment also existed...!!

Arriving in Peckham was a colourful experience and finding the correct alley to head down to find 58th Street was the first challenge. Bussey Alley was finally found and after a short walk the club door was located. Following a short wait in line, we were escorted in and greeted by a wonderful lady at the front of house. The welcome was superb, personal and instantly making you want more.

As we were escorted into the club and to our table, the doors opened and the scene was set. Immediately the style, design and atmosphere was evident and it felt like a superb replication of what the 1930’s Speakeasy jazz clubs would have been like.

In line with the theme of the event, we had dressed up to maximise the fun and enjoyment. It was great to see so many likeminded people doing the same as this really added to the authentic experience.

The room was a sell out and there was a real buzz in the air. Drinks service was superb and the choice of drinks was equally great.

The evening commenced with Belle Livingstone being the main compare introducing the performers and general fun as the evening unfolded.

The stage is central to the room and surrounded by close up and personal tables and booths. Around the perimeter was the slightly elevated rail dining seats and these also had a great view of the show.

Throughout the evening that was nearly 4 hours long there was a great mix of singing, burlesque, fun and laughter along with a superb jazz band.

The 6 course dining was served at timed intervals throughout the show and this worked very well. The food was also themed to be of the era and this was of great quality and the service was slick.

To summarise, this was an absolutely fantastic experience. The setting and whole performance took you back in time and certainly made you feel like you were somewhere special.

Every member of staff that we dealt with was genuinely fantastic and were very talented at making you feel part of something special.

We absolutely loved 58th Street. What a great concept that is perfectly curated and performed.

This is a night out with a difference and for us, night life events need more of this type of thing. What a refreshing change from some of the dull and routine ‘norm’.

58th Street is certainly as good as all the social media and website footage you may see…. It will not disappoint.

If you want a night out with a difference, somewhere to feel a little special then this is the place for you.

Do not hesitate, book now and go and have...