CLIENT ENTERTAINMENT; Milk & Honey, Private Members Club, London & New York

The Bankers Blog Editor, a banker by day, was entertained on Friday evening at Milk & Honey, a private member’s club with a presence in Manhattan's Lower East Side, New York, and on Poland Street, in Soho, London. The London bar is discretely located and you need to know what you are looking for in order to find it, as it resides behind a locked, unmarked black door.

Having opened in 2002, Milk & Honey remains, in their own words, “dedicated to bringing unrivalled drinks quality and service to a discerning crowd of grown-ups.” It houses bars on three floors; offering a range of intimate booths, counter drinking, lounge drinking and eating options.

Access to non-members is by reservation only until 11pm (and in practice restricted to the early part of the week). For members and their guests the bar is open until 3am six nights a week. No reservation is required for members, but they advise to call ahead.

It is unique for its set of house rules. Which include;
“No fighting, play fighting, no talking about fighting”
“Gentlemen will remove their hats. Hooks are provided”
And the most entertaining and precious of them all;
“Gentlemen will not introduce themselves to ladies. Ladies, feel free to start a conversation or ask the bartender to introduce you. If a man you don't know speaks to you, please lift your chin slightly and ignore him.”

The Banker’s Blog Editor was invited by a long time and close friend, who he met on the graduate programme of the investment bank at which he started his career. His friend’s fiancé was holding her birthday on the lower floor, which she had reserved.

It was not the largest bar, and as a result, was slightly too crowded, hot and stuffy to begin with, when we arrived at 9pm. Conveniently, we found a booth at the very back of the lower bar which was empty and blissfully cool. Having housed ourselves there, we proceeded to enjoy a comfortable and private evening of drinking and joking, with friends popping in and out until about 3am. The bar staff were very knowledgeable about their cocktails, well presented and charismatic.

We would recommend for entertaining clients; the unique house rules and intimacy of the booths ensure a discreet and comfortable environment where you and your clients can hold private conversations; or simply enjoy an undisturbed evening of dinner and drinks to enhance the relationship.