{"id":549173,"date":"2025-11-04T20:19:22","date_gmt":"2025-11-04T20:19:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/549173\/"},"modified":"2025-11-04T20:19:22","modified_gmt":"2025-11-04T20:19:22","slug":"this-grand-central-london-building-was-once-an-old-banking-hall-now-its-a-gorgeous-bookshop-with-a-secret-bar-tucked-inside","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/549173\/","title":{"rendered":"This Grand Central London Building Was Once An Old Banking Hall \u2014 Now It’s A Gorgeous Bookshop With A Secret Bar Tucked Inside"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCredit: Phoebe Anderson<\/p>\n

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We\u2019ve all walked down Piccadilly<\/a>, rushing past the tourists and grand buildings, but next time you\u2019re in the area, why not slow down to check out one of London\u2019s most beautiful book stores?<\/p>\n

We\u2019re talking about a place that\u2019s part luxury bookshop<\/a>, part concept store, and best of all, depending on what mood you\u2019re in, part secret cocktail bar. It\u2019s a haven for bookworms and cocktail lovers<\/a> alike. So if you\u2019re not really one for a crowded pub, this place might be for you.<\/p>\n

A look inside Maison Assouline <\/p>\n

Maison Assouline<\/b> is located at 196A Piccadilly<\/b>, inside what used to be an old, grand banking hall. The shop is located just a short walk from Piccadilly Circus or Green Park tube stations and you can feel the history in the high ceilings and grand windows.<\/p>\n

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The main space is a library<\/a>-lover\u2019s dream. The high, dark-wood shelves are perfectly lined with Assouline\u2019s<\/b> famous, specially curated coffee-table books. These aren\u2019t your standard paperbacks; they are massive, beautiful volumes on art, fashion, travel, and design.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not just books, though. As you wander, you\u2019ll spot \u201cvintage artefacts,\u201d models, and collectables, all displayed with museum-like care. You\u2019re encouraged to browse freely, and you can even ask the staff to request an item or book off the wall to have a closer look.<\/p>\n

The bar amongst the books <\/p>\n

Tucked away amongst the shelves, is the Swan Bar<\/b>. It\u2019s the perfect spot to grab a cuppa during the day, but as evening draws in, it really comes alive, with a bartender on hand to mix drinks behind a bar<\/a> that\u2019s stacked high with every spirit imaginable.<\/p>\n

The Swan Bar is known for its classic and theatrical themed cocktails. Our videographer, Phoebe, went to visit and captured a drink arriving under a cloud of dry-ice smoke, looking like something out of a film.<\/p>\n

While you\u2019re in the neighbourhood, why not make a day of it? Maison Assouline<\/b> is just a stone\u2019s throw from the Royal Academy of Arts<\/b> and a short wander from the luxury food halls of Fortnum & Mason<\/b>.<\/p>\n

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