The Folly Bar / Restaurant

The City, London –

A combination deli, flower shop, restaurant, and bar in the heart of London’s financial center, The Folly is an expansive venue where young bankers, lawyers, and accountants – oh my! – escape the daily grind.

The ground floor’s décor has a gastropub-meets-Anthropologie quality, with flowerpot lamps, sleek communal picnic tables, chi-chi mismatched chairs, and walls pressed in detailed floral patterns.

Funky house plays above the hum of conversation as clusters of co-workers drop in for diverse global fare like an upscale twist on New York-style deli stacks and Thai beef salad, or the host of sharable platters such as prawn lollipops and crispy duck flat breads.

Though the emphasis may be on locally-sourced grub, most of the hardworking midweek regulars are probably more interested in the skinny and classic cocktails and powerful punchbowls, or the fine wines tucked inside the honeycomb sculpture behind the bar.

Those looking for more of a party scene can hit the basement come Thursdays and Fridays, when the large circular booths and long second bar overflow with moneyed mutual funders and sexy stock traders checking out each other’s portfolios.

Given its location, the bar can attract a very different weekend set as most of the local work force is gone and a more casual mix of tourists and trendy Londonites come in for brunch or the traditional Sunday roasts. Whether for a Wednesday lunch, a Friday finance party, or a mellow weekend with friends, The Folly is a decidedly non-foolish crowd pleaser.