Oscar Bar

Yummy; I’ll have to remember to return!
I had a breakfast meeting here this morning, and the staff was lovely. I saw them checking on other tables as often can be expected, but skipped mine — I’m guessing it’s because I mentioned when booking that it was a meeting and privacy would be appreciated. Spot on, guys.
My tea was delicious, which is strange for me to say as an American who often finds English breakfast tea a bit bitter without milk and sugar, but this tea didn’t need anything and I drank it black, and loved every sip.
My table shared a pastry basket, and I recommend it if you’re hungry and want something sweet. There were 6 – 7 pastries in the basket, which is surprisingly good value (the basket costs about £6, if I remember correctly).
I saw other tables eating from the buffet, getting hot food, etc — it all looked and smelled delicious. I’m definitely going to keep this in mind, and will suggest it as a meeting place when I’m in the area.

Had afternoon Tea today after a great experience I had but have to say how disappointing it was today. The sandwiches were awful, the bread was hard and dry. We didn’t have enough scones and we had to keep asking for water and tea top up as the service was really not there. They didn’t ask how it was other wise would have said something. Such a disappointment to celebrate my 30^th

Finding a good afternoon tea in London last minute under £40 is quite a task as it’s so damn popular. When searching I remembered Charlotte Street Hotel and got clicking. The hotel group have a number of establishments across London so you are spoilt for choice. Due to my friend’s train timings I also needed an early afternoon tea for 1pm, gasp in horror at the faux pas! I like Charlotte Street as it’s set back from the hustle and bustle of Tottenham Court Road but convenient to get to.
Now to the nitty gritty. When I booked I managed to get a mid week deal which was a bonus. We chose the the traditional tea. Everything is smartly presented and the scones arrive warm. The sandwiches were good and so were the scones. The rest was fine but nothing to write about. What did please me was the option for more sandwiches, we didn’t though I was tempted.
The draw backs of Oscars… Very cramped and busy. Also the décor is a little too much, I think they are trying too hard.
Overall though a good place to come for a reasonably priced afternoon tea.

I am usually not a big fan of hotel lobby bars, but this one is definitely an exception. Granted, Charlotte Street Hotel is a nice boutique hotel, so Oscar Bar also doesn’t look like you run of the mill hotel lobby bar with middle aged men in business suit drinking by themselves.
It is on trendy Charlotte Street and attracts a lot of locals who are just here for a drink after work or before dinner. The atmosphere is relaxed and yet polished. The bar is quite big, but it can get so busy that they have to turn people away. The cocktails are quite good here as well.
They also have nice outdoor seating area facing Charlotte Street. I can see this being a nice spot for a lazy Sunday afternoon drink and people watch.

Très chouette endroit au coeur de Londres. Sublime carte de cocktails et repas divin !
Service au top et efficace.
Cet endroit est animé et idéail pour des grandes tables.

Their afternoon tea is wonderful here. Been a couple times and each time did not disappoint. The presentation is gorgeous with cute teapots and teacups and a wonderful display of tea treats. Love their scones! There is a lot of food and I wasn’t able to finish it even though I hadn’t eaten much all day so definitely go when you are hungry. It is a bit pricey for tea but I think pretty fair priced for London (22.50 pounds per person for the traditional tea, more for champagne, specialty teas etc). Hope to go back again next time I’m in London.

We had a work brunch here and it was fresh, delicious and good service. Perfect place to have a working breakfast or lunch, also perfect décor and atmosphere.

I love the façade of The Charlotte Street Hotel; the colors grey and green look perfectly in harmony with the feel of this busy street. Inside the hotel you get the feeling that it’s a «boutique hotel» The service is really kind. The place gets packed on evenings and especially on Thursdays and Fridays, and the crowd is very much corporate with some media types as well, so it’s an adult environment. The drinks they prepare are really good, try a Negroni, it’s a classic cocktail that is refreshing and tasty. I’ve never tried the food, but when I was there it looked delicious.

From the exterior, the Charlotte Street Hotel (and the Oscar Bar), with its classy gray, window-​paned front and striped awnings, looks like a gem of a place. But while I can’t speak for the hotel itself, I’ve been to the Oscar Bar a few times for drinks and am always underwhelmed.
The drinks and barstaff (and the bar snacks) are fine — it’s the feeling of the place that doesn’t work for me. I find the general layout and «contemporary» décor a bit icky and soulless — with its mix of jewel-​coloured chairs, long hanging lights and chaotic community murals, it’s like a refurbished airport lounge. It’s also usually quite bright inside and filled with office-​y folk speaking loudly, which isn’t a problem except that I tend to prefer having drinks in a non-​workaday environment.