I went to a top secret London bar where photos are forbidden
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More often than not, basements are places to be avoided – especially if you’re a woman who’s seen one to many horror movies. But on Tuesday evening I pushed aside everything I thought I knew about basements as I took the elevator down to the lower levels of a hotel close to Trafalgar Square. And thank god I did, because it’s where I discovered one of London’s best kept secrets.
![[Central London Whitehall Horseguards Avenue, Raffles London at The OWO / Old War Office Building - George Duke of Cambridge statue, Architecture, Westminster England United Kingdom]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/GettyImages-2164553415.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
Hidden away underneath Raffles London at The OWO (Old War Office) you’ll find a number of storage rooms. Compared to the opulence that greets you on the ground floor of the swanky building, it’s a pretty unassuming space, with brick walls painted a clean white, dim lighting and several dark wooden doors.
Take a closer look at one of the doors – specifically the one at the end of the corridor, just before you round the corner – and you’ll see that the plaque on it is a little different from the others. Instead of saying ‘store’, it reads ‘007’.
![[A sticker reading 'for your eyes only' is placed over the camera on a phone]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/IMG_8624-e8f1.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
This is where you’ll find The Spy Bar, a James Bond-themed speakeasy that’s got a pretty impressive history and is potentially the most secretive drinking spot in the UK. The Slice is your weekly guide to what’s happening in London, so if you’re looking for restaurant reviews, drinks deals or just a great new exhibition to visit on a rainy Saturday in the capital, we’ve got you covered.
![[The Signature Vesper cocktail at The Spy Bar, Raffles at The OWO]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/HyVQQnFA-b391.jpeg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
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