GREEN CARNATION

A flourishing homage to playwright and wit Oscar Wilde, this lovely bar on Soho’s Greek Street is like walking into a greenhouse, bedecked as it is with filigreed forest-green wallpaper, lime and deep purple velvet sofas, and images of carnations in ornate gold picture frames. The crowd is fairly mixed and laid back, music veers from guest pianists and jazz groups to live performances, and cocktails come long and fruity or short and snazzy. Friday nights get packed out for Lady Lloyd’s 80s disco, though the dancing takes place downstairs, leaving sybarites to lounge by the fireplace and aim at Wilde’s own, life-affirming philosophy; to gain self-realisation through pleasure. We’ll toast to that.