The 40 Elephants

Name: The 40 Elephants
Address: 3-5 Great Scotland Yard, London, United Kingdom, SW1A 2HN
Telephone: 020 7925 4700
Price range: £26 to £40
Rating: 4.6

4.6

87 Reviews

£26 to £40

Cocktail Bar

Top tags:

In our bar every cocktail tells a story so, we would like you to enjoy the drinks based on the stories of one of the biggest criminal gangs in English history.
The 40 Elephants was an all-female organized crime collective active in London's Elephant and Castle District from at least 1873 right into the 1950. They specialized in shoplifting, with some blackmail and extortion thrown in to make them particularly badass.
This gang was notable for its longevity and skill in avoiding police detection. Their most notorious leader, Diamond Annie, was known by the London police as "the cleverest of thieves".
Forty Elephants funded a life of decadence in London roaring twenties, hanging about the glamorous hotels, bars and theaters they could only dream about before their turn to crime.
Glamour was both a goal and a smoke screen for the Forty Elephants, through which they created their own thrilling world of fashion. money, and fame.

Make a booking

No. of diners

2 people

DateTime

6 Dec 2023

19:00

Booked 9 times today

Experiences are available.

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
£26 to £40
Cuisines
Cocktail Bar, Dining Bar, Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service
Hours of Operation
Daily 10:30–23:30
Phone number
020 7925 4700
Website
https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/england-united-kingdom/great-scotland-yard/lhrub/dining
Payment Options
AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
Dress Code
Smart Casual
Executive Chef
Amador Parada

Location
3-5 Great Scotland Yard, London, SW1A 2HN
Area
Westminster
Parking Details
None
Public Transit
Embankment and Charing Cross Stations
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Experiences

NEW YEAR'S EVE - PRE-FIRE WORK DRINKS AND DJ
£50.00 per person
Prepaid
31 Dec 2023 only
Start your celebrations of the last day of the year in style at The 40 Elephants bar with pre-firework drinks (from 20:00 to 23:00) and DJ raising the vibe. Minimum consumption of £50pp
NEW YEAR'S EVE - POST-FIREWORKS DRINKS AND DJ
£70.00 per person
Prepaid
31 Dec 2023 only
Start your celebrations in style at The 40 Elephants from 23:00 – 02:00am Post firework drinks & DJ with a minimum consumption of £70pp.

What 87 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.6

4.6 based on recent ratings

4.2Food
4.5Service
4.6Ambience
4.1Value

Noise • Moderate

87 Reviews

JB
JonB
Gloucestershire
4 reviews
1.0
4 reviews
Dined on 22 October 2023
overall1food1service1ambience1
Poor service, terrible club sandwiches, small portions and service poor as all bar staff and servers feigned over a middle eastern /Indian guest of some apparent importance to them whilst the rest of the venue was ignored. Dont bother and go one of the surrounding pubs which are better.
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AK
AliceK
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on 13 October 2023
overall4food3service5ambience5
My daughters and I went before going to the show The Jersey Boys,the cocktails very very nice and the food was quite good ,we enjoyed our stay and would go back ,nice atmosphere and our waiter was efficient to our needs ,would recommend it .
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RM
RebeccaM
London
2 reviews
3.0
2 reviews
Dined on 2 August 2023
overall3food3service4ambience4
Nice venue , food I had was pretty average (club sandwich) - service is good. Pleasant for a pre theatre meal.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
London
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on 8 July 2023
overall5food1service5ambience5
We did not eat here so cannot comment on food. Friendly, efficient service and delicious cocktails
The 40 ElephantsResponded on 24 July 2023
Dear Anonymous, Warm greetings from The 40 Elephants! Thank you for your time taken to write and publish a review about your recent experience with us. We truly look forward to welcoming you back soon. Kind regards, The 40 Elephants team
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OT
OpenTable Diner
London
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on 3 July 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
This is a fantastic and quiet place to come and have a very nice evening out. The drinks were phenomenal and the little bowl of nibbles on the table made the whole evening special and memorable. Very good atmosphere and fantastic service. Will definitely be back again in the future!
The 40 ElephantsResponded on 24 July 2023
Dear Anonymous, Warm greetings from The 40 Elephants! Thank you for your time taken to write and publish a review about your recent experience with us. We truly look forward to welcoming you back soon. Kind regards, The 40 Elephants team
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RW
RichardW
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 24 June 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Post theatre (Jersey Boys) drinks in the hotel at the old Great Scotland Yard we had 2 rounds of cocktails, pakoras (4 in a serving) bowl of fries & cheese board. Staff are great, some background music, cost £121 not the cheapest but not the most expensive and this is Central London. Great way to end the evening
The 40 ElephantsResponded on 24 July 2023
Dear Richard, Warm greetings from The 40 Elephants! Thank you for your time taken to write and publish a review about your recent experience with us. We are glad to read you had a lovely evening with us after Jersey Boys. We truly look forward to welcoming you back soon. Kind regards, The 40 Elephants team
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MJ
MeenaJ
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 9 June 2023
overall5food4service5ambience5
Great place for pre/post dinner drinks!!! Great ambience
The 40 ElephantsResponded on 26 June 2023
Hi Meena, So great to hear that you enjoyed your visit to 40 Elephants. Thank you for visiting and for taking the time to leave a review. Our cocktails are all inspired by the history of the all-girl crime syndicate '40 Elephants' - we hope the drink you chose gave you a little insight to the crimes that were investigated at Great Scotland Yard. We look forward to hosting you again soon. Best wishes, The 40 Elephants Team
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CA
CatarA
London
8 reviews
vip
5.0
8 reviews
Dined on 5 April 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Lovely atmosphere, good food- one of us is coeliac snd vegetarian and the team couldn’t have done more. Delicious gluten free veggie club sandwich and a couple of very nice gin and tonics. Will be going back.
The 40 ElephantsResponded on 8 May 2023
Dear Catar, Thank You for taking the time to review our bar The 40 Elephants. We are delighted to read you enjoyed the atmosphere and that the service and the food were up to your expectations. We will pass on your lovely feedback to our team members. We look forward to welcoming you back soon. Best regards, The 40 Elephants Team.
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P
Pri04
London
7 reviews
vip
4.0
7 reviews
Dined on 26 March 2023
overall4food4service5ambience5
Beautiful setting
The 40 ElephantsResponded on 29 March 2023
Dear Pri04, Thank you for taking the time to review our bar The 40 Elephants. We are very glad to read you enjoyed the Hotel and Bar decoration. We look forward to welcoming you back soon. Best regards, The 40 Elephants Team.
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HP
HelenP
Norfolk/Suffolk
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on 18 March 2023
overall4food4service4ambience4
Lovely atmosphere - food and drink fabulous. Would definitely return. Staff very friendly and welcoming.
The 40 ElephantsResponded on 28 March 2023
Dear Helen, Thank You for taking the time to review our bar The 40 Elephants. We are very glad to read you enjoyed your drinks and food. We look forward to welcoming you back soon. Best regards, The 40 Elephants Team.
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HD
HarryD
London
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on 27 January 2023
overall3food3service5ambience1
Feels like a hotel, very empty and pretentious given the decor
The 40 ElephantsResponded on 28 March 2023
Dear Harry, Greetings from The 40 Elephants Bar! Thank you for taking the time to write a review. We are sorry the decoration of the Hotel and Bar was not as expected. The bar's name and design is a reference to all-female London crime syndicate who specialised in shoplifting. We look forward to welcoming you in the future, Best regards, The 40 Elephants Team.
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j
jayj0308
London
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on 31 December 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Good selection of cocktails, the atmosphere was lovely and the staff were attentive. They also have small dishes and dessert if you’re craving for some foods. It’s about £80 for 4 cocktails and a dessert which is slightly expensive but you get what you paid for. It’s located inside the hotel which can be difficult to locate if you’re visiting there for the first time.
The 40 ElephantsResponded on 28 March 2023
Dear Jayj0308, Thank you for taking the time to review our bar The 40 Elephants. We are very glad to read you enjoyed the service and cocktails with us. We look forward to welcoming you in the future at The 40 Elephants. Best regards, The 40 Elephants Team.
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O
ciaraO
London
10 reviews
5.0
10 reviews
Dined on 30 December 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
We had a gorgeous evening here- stayed for some pre dinner cocktail drinks. The champagne queen Bee cocktail was delicious!!! Whiskey cocktails were excellent. The staff are so lovely & attentive. Alix kindly showed us the whiskey bar hidden away and was a real expert in the mix- what a delight! We will most definitely come back to this beautiful hotel- each room is an absolute treat. Such a warm, personable atmosphere with a team of lovely smiling staff. Planning my next date night already!! Thank you for looking after us so beautifully. A truly wonderful evening.
The 40 ElephantsResponded on 28 March 2023
Dear ciarao, Greetings from The 40 Elephants Bar! We cannot thank you enough for taking the time to write this lovely review and even remember the name of the cocktails you had and the name of our colleague. We are very glad to read you enjoy your evening in our bar and we look forward to welcoming you in the future, Best regards, The 40 Elephants Team.
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PL
PaoloL
Berlin
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 25 December 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Ivan, Our waiter, was very knowledgeable and personable
The 40 ElephantsResponded on 4 April 2023
Dear Paolo, Thank You for taking the time to review our bar The 40 Elephants. We are happy to read you had a good time and our colleague Ivan made you feel welcome. We look forward to welcoming you back soon. Best regards, The 40 Elephants Team.
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T
Tracey
London
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on 19 December 2022
overall5food3service5ambience4
Didn't eat but couldn't skip that part. Love it here. Gorgeous cocktails. Staff are lovely. Very comfortable and lovely bar. Wished it was a bit more Christmassy. Drinks are expensive but unusual.
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MM
MatM
London
11 reviews
vip
4.0
11 reviews
Dined on 15 December 2022
overall4food3service5ambience4
Normally I find hotel bars too formal, but the atmosphere here is great and the staff are very friendly, helpful and welcoming.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
London
8 reviews
5.0
8 reviews
Dined on 10 December 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Fabulous bar, great service, delicious cocktails
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EP
EPAC
London
8 reviews
4.0
8 reviews
Dined on 3 December 2022
overall4food4service4ambience4
Second time at this venue and a very handy location for Trafalgar Square and St Martin In The Fields. Prices quite high, but good service and a festive environment made up for it.
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KW
KateW
London
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 2 December 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Lovely bar great cocktails and free olives and crisps.
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K
Katija
London
6 reviews
vip
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on 29 November 2022
overall5food3service5ambience5
The drinks were excellent, it's a beautiful, elegant and calm spot. Felt very welcoming, as opposed to some competitor cocktail bars in high end hotels across the city. Bathrooms are some of the nicest I've ever seen, which is not a reason to go but definitely a plus. Food was fine.
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TG
TamaraG
London
2 reviews
vip
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on 29 October 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Nice bar for amazing cocktails and conversations in good company, Waiters and bartenders are amazing at their job! Very professional, friendly and polite Loved every minute of our visit
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MB
MadisonB
Greater Boston
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 7 October 2022
overall5food3service5ambience5
Didn't go here for food, just drinks. Our water was AMAZING and recommended some great drinks. He was energetic and you can tell he loves his job. The ambiance is very cool. Drinks are very expensive, but worth it.
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E
Elena
London
15 reviews
vip
5.0
15 reviews
Dined on 1 October 2022
overall5food4service5ambience5
The cocktails were great and the service excellent . I loved the ambience and the decor and the music playing at the background was perfect ! I will be definitely going back ! Very impressed with this cocktail bar !
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CT
CercaTrova
London
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on 24 September 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
What a very cool story behind the name/inspiration for this place! (How has the 40 Elephants story not been made into a Netflix hit by now?!) The drinks and appetizers were VERY good! The staff, friendly and made great recommendations. The ambiance is hard to beat. It was very busy during happy hour.
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TK
TaniaK
Kent
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined on 24 September 2022
overall2food1service3ambience5
I had booked this restaurant and the bar man had no idea! I had specifically booked it with a note to say that it was my partners surprise as he just retired from 30 yrs as a police detective and it didn't feel like I had booked but just turned up off the street. The cocktails were great b ut thr food was disappointing ill be honest the pancake was more like a soggy muffin that was undercooked and my hot dog was well a hot dog from a tin! I didn't complain as it was a special occasion but I did leave hungry. A nice place for a cocktail but not food I'm afraid. I thought we would get some history to the 40 theves and relevant to my partners job for 30 yrs but we had a look around and took some photos
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CA
CATHERINEF
Edinburgh
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 17 September 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Booked this lovely bar last minute after watching a performance of Cabaret. The service was excellent, Riccardo and Alex were lovely and super attentive hosts. The cocktails were standard London prices (i.e expensive) but were delicious. I was meeting up with a friend who was celebrating her birthday and they brought out a surprise brownie cake at the end which was very thoughtful. Overall we had a lovely time. It's a classy, low-key bar a little off the beaten path but is great meet up spot. Will definitely be going back again and sampling more of the food next time!
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GC
GarryC
Los Angeles
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on 7 August 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
My wife and I dropped in for a mid-morning champagne brunch. Live close and have had afternoon tea in their quirky but fun lounge. Great waiter with ‘Manuel’s’ grasp of English pronunciation but really helpful and talked through the menu. Asked how many arancini came with the starter and we’re told there were four ‘bowls’. Turned out he meant ‘balls’. Food was really good. Can recommend the arancini and beef and ale croquettes. Will certainly go again.
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KH
KirstyH
Surrey
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 6 August 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Absolutely perfect cocktail bar. The service was outstanding, the cocktails are pricey but delicious and the overall feel inside is one of calm. The bar got quite busy while we were there, but it never felt noisy or cramped. I will definitely be back.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Kent
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on 3 July 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Lovely food and great service
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n
noodleluver
London
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on 1 July 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
This is such a lovely bar. The whole hotel is so interesting to visit. Something very different. The service was excellent and the food was delicious. I couldn’t have wished for a nicer evening.
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J
Jonathan
Greater Boston
23 reviews
vip
5.0
23 reviews
Dined on 18 June 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Lovely service.
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IN
IanN
London
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 15 June 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Pre theatre drinks during our 25th wedding anniversary celebration. We were presented with a very nice surprise which was a delicious dessert beautifully presented with a happy anniversary greeting . The bar staff were extremely helpful and friendly. Very pleasant way to spend a couple of hours before going to the theatre .
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SE
StewartE
East Sussex
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 27 May 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Excellent Cocktails, engaging staff and a great corner table, perfect!
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FV
FoodieVegan
London
51 reviews
vip
5.0
51 reviews
Dined on 21 May 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Fun quirky bar. Very luxurious but felt welcoming. Great staff
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RG
RaviG
Dorset
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on 19 May 2022
overall4food4service4ambience4
Pre dinner drink, great place ambience and service
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HN
HowardN
London
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 11 May 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
A lovely place for after work drinks and food. Close to the office and also a lovely part of the west end
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OT
OpenTable Diner
London
1 review
vip
5.0
1 review
Dined on 6 May 2022
overall5food4service5ambience5
I excellent cocktails and great service. The gentleman who served us also managed to get us a last minute booking at Ekstedt.
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F
Fifi
London
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on 6 May 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
An absolute gem! Went for a couple of cocktails before an evening show and had a wonderful time. All the staff were attentive and friendly, the drinks were very tasty (as were the snacks!), and the space and atmosphere is exactly what I wanted. Could not recommend enough!
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CB
ClaireB
London
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 30 April 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Gorgeous bar, perfect for a date , cant wait to go again
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L
London123
London
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on 9 April 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
We had a great time at 40 Elephants, the bar is really cool, really well done. Drinks made and served by Benny were really good, and he was a great host a credit to the hotel. Thanks!
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Safety precautions

Cleaning & sanitising
- Surfaces sanitised between seatings
- Digital, disposable or sanitised menu provided
- Common areas deep-cleaned daily
- Sanitiser or wipes provided for customers
- Contactless payment available

Protective equipment
- Waiting staff wear masks
Screening
- Sick staff prohibited in the workplace

FAQs

The 40 Elephants is rated 4.6 stars by 87 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

No. of diners

2 people

DateTime

6 Dec 2023

19:00

Booked 9 times today

Experiences are available.

3-5 Great Scotland Yard, London, SW1A 2HN

Additional information

Area
Westminster
Hours of Operation
Daily 10:30–23:30
Price
£26 to £40
Cuisines
Cocktail Bar, Dining Bar, Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress Code
Smart Casual
Parking Details
None
Public Transit
Embankment and Charing Cross Stations
Payment Options
AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
Executive Chef
Amador Parada
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/england-united-kingdom/great-scotland-yard/lhrub/dining
Phone number
020 7925 4700

The 40 Elephants

Make a booking

Additional information

Experiences

NEW YEAR'S EVE - PRE-FIRE WORK DRINKS AND DJ

NEW YEAR'S EVE - POST-FIREWORKS DRINKS AND DJ

Menu

What 87 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Safety precautions

Cleaning & sanitising

Protective equipment

Screening

FAQs

How is The 40 Elephants restaurant rated?

Is The 40 Elephants currently accepting bookings?

Make a booking

Additional information