Jak's Bar — Restaurant in London

Walton Street is going through something of a renaissance. The Brompton Rd end has, in recent years, seen several new, high end shops mingle with independent specialists and when combined with a similar flurry of activity in Draycott Ave it has created a mini-quarter of some merit.

Jak's have not only a cocktail bar but a delicatessen on Walton. But this review is about the bar. The decor is a mix of 70s style low tables, pinball memorabilia and some rather clunky barstool, high tables nearer the entrance. The music forms a rather unimaginative soundtrack (although there are a set of DJ tables so some nights it might improve?) and when we visited a large TV screen played an old Tom Hanks film silently. If you were interested, subtitles had been switched on 🤔. Prices are what you might expect in this part of London £17-21 for a cocktail and slightly less for a glass of wine. The cocktail list is extensive enough.

My party visited on a Saturday night around 9pm. Yes, not quite the cocktail hour but surely a popular time?? The crowd was eclectic, looking like a party in search of a venue. The service was quick and helpful. The cocktails though were very average. Loaded with ice and those useless paper straws which made drinking them an effort (that this reviewer would have happily foregone). We stayed for 2 rounds but switched to wine for the second and the bill for 4 people was £117.

Jak's bar certainly adds to the aesthetic of Walton St but doesn't serve up a...

This review Is in relation to an interaction that took place today. We have been going to Jak’s for 6-7 years, and to no one’s surprise they operate sweetly only when taking your money. We agreed a cake for a certain price over multiple phone calls (without this being our first or most expensive order). We were sent to the cafe, where staff suddenly refused to charge us this price and demand we pay higher. Staff made aggy remarks to us when we were (quite literally) just confused.

If the price is different, fine, but don’t liaise for weeks and suddenly become hostile over a mistake you have made. The manager with whom we placed the order was called, and conveniently ‘forgot the phone call’, shouted at the baker in front of us and then walked out of the cafe. At this point the cafe staff begun to shake their heads and make remarks under their breath over a price that we have both PAID before (for larger, multiple cakes) and a price that we weren’t told. Remarks were made as we paid and as we walked out - again over a mistake that was not made by US?

I hope they take some responsibility over their own lines of communication. This is not a hard problem to fix but somehow was blown up into a passive...

I have been going to Jak's for many years. I simply love this place. A huge credit to Managers, People and Staff working there. Outstanding service and attention. The place buzzes in the evenings with great crowds. Even during very busy weekends, staff makes sure you are happy. Big fan of their fresh fruit Cocktails. Watermelon and Green Apple Martini is a MUST try. Being a Vegetarian myself, I find their Italian and Mediterranean dishes truly satisfying and tasty.

I have taken many friends there and every single one enjoyed their time and keeps going back. Their basement bar takes you into a trance.

Wishing them...