Walk into the belly of the old Midland Bank building on Poultry and you'll feel it immediately. The hum. It’s not just the sound of a thousand people talking; it’s the specific frequency of a room that knows it’s the center of the world for a few hours. The Ned City of London isn't just a hotel. Honestly, calling it a hotel feels like calling a Ferrari just a car. It’s a 320,000-square-foot ecosystem of networking, high-stakes dining, and enough Verde Tinos marble to make a Roman emperor blush.
The scale is intimidating.
You’ve got 92 African verdite columns holding up the ceiling of the former banking hall. That’s more than most museums. Back in 1924, Sir Edwin "Ned" Lutyens designed this place to scream stability and wealth. Today, it screams something else: access. If you aren't a member of Ned’s Club, there are places in this building you will simply never see, like the rooftop pool overlooking St. Paul’s or the Princes Dome. But even for the "regulars" grabbing a Cecconi’s pasta on the ground floor, the vibe is intoxicating. It’s the kind of place where you might see a hedge fund titan arguing over a merger and a fashion influencer taking a selfie in the same five-foot radius.
What actually happens inside the vault at The Ned City of London
Most people think the basement is just where the gym is. They're wrong. The Vault bar is the literal heart of the building's history, tucked behind a twenty-tonne, two-metre-wide door. It’s lined with over 3,000 stainless steel safety deposit boxes. Real ones.
Back when this was Midland Bank, this was where the City’s gold was kept. Now? It's where the members drink cocktails.
The transition from "venerable financial institution" to "London’s loudest playground" wasn't an accident. It was a joint venture between Soho House & Co and Sydell Group. They took a building that had been sitting empty and derelict for years—literally a ghost ship in the middle of the Square Mile—and poured millions into making it feel like 1930s glamour never died. It’s a trick of the light, basically. They use heavy velvets, dark woods, and period-correct lighting to mask the fact that everyone is actually checking their iPhones every thirty seconds.
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There is a specific etiquette to the banking hall that rookies miss. It’s loud. Intentionally. There’s a central stage where live bands play almost every night. If you’re looking for a quiet, romantic dinner where you can whisper sweet nothings, you’ve come to the wrong place. You come to The Ned City of London to be seen, to hear the jazz, and to feel the energy of a room that’s constantly moving.
The hierarchy of the restaurants
You don't just "eat" at The Ned. You choose a camp.
- Cecconi’s: This is the anchor. If you can’t get a table here, you’ve failed the first test of City life. The lobster spaghetti is the cliché that everyone orders because, frankly, it's excellent.
- Millie’s Lounge: British classics. Think fish and chips but served to people wearing suits that cost more than your first car. It’s open 24 hours for hotel guests, which is a lifesaver when jet lag hits.
- The Nickel Bar: This is for the drinkers. It’s named after the five-cent coin, but don't expect those prices. The cocktails are sharp, classic, and expensive.
- Kaia: This is the curveball. It’s an Asian-Pacific-inspired spot serving poke bowls and wagyu. It feels a bit more "modern London" than the rest of the hall, providing a much-needed break from the heavy British/Italian vibes.
- Lutyens Grill: This is the serious room. It’s tucked away, wood-panneled, and quiet. This is where the actual deals happen. Trolley service. Carved meats. No riff-raff.
Why the membership actually matters
Let’s be real: the "public" areas of The Ned City of London are just the lobby. The real Ned happens upstairs and downstairs.
Ned’s Club is the private tier. It gives you access to the roof, which has a retractable glass screen and heaters, making it usable even when London weather is doing its usual grey drizzle. The view of St. Paul's Cathedral from the rooftop pool is arguably the best in the city. You’re high enough to see everything but low enough to still feel connected to the streets.
There’s also the Ned’s Club Gym and Spa in the basement. It’s not just a place to run on a treadmill; it’s a full-service health club with a hammam and a marble-clad pool that looks like something out of a Bond film. The membership isn't just about the facilities, though. It's about the "Ned's Club" app and the networking. In the City, proximity is currency. Being in the same gym as the people running the banks next door has a tangible value.
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But here is the thing: it can feel a bit like a factory.
With 250+ rooms and ten restaurants, the service can sometimes struggle to keep up with the sheer volume of humanity. It’s not a boutique experience. It’s a grand-scale operation. If you want intimacy, go to a townhouse in Mayfair. You come to Poultry for the spectacle.
The rooms: A mix of "Crash Pad" and "Heritage Suite"
Staying overnight? The rooms are categorized by size, starting from "Cosmic" (tiny) to "Heritage" (massive). The designers used 1920s and 30s design cues—think tasseled lampshades, rotary phones, and heavy patterned wallpapers.
- The Small Rooms: They call them "Crash Pads." They mean it. They’re for the person who worked until 11 PM and has a 7 AM meeting. They are stylish but tight.
- The Medium Rooms: These are the sweet spot. You get enough space to actually breathe and usually a decent view of the interior atrium or the street.
- The Suites: Some of these have original wood paneling from the bank offices. They feel like you’ve stepped into a period drama. The "Terrace" rooms are the ones to get if you want to host a private drink before heading down to the madness of the hall.
Practical insights for the first-timer
If you’re planning to visit The Ned City of London, don't just wing it. You’ll end up standing awkwardly by the velvet ropes while people in headsets ignore you.
First, book a table. Even if it's just for breakfast. Having a reservation is your "in." Once you’re at a table, you’re part of the furniture and can soak in the atmosphere. Sunday Brunch at The Ned (called "Ned’s Feast") is legendary—it’s an all-you-can-eat situation with lobsters, oysters, and roasts. It's pricey, but it's one of the few times the building feels slightly more relaxed and family-oriented.
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Second, dress the part. You don't need a three-piece suit, but you’ll feel out of place in a hoodie. Think "smart city." Dark denim, a blazer, or a sharp dress. The staff is used to high-flyers, and they respond to people who look like they belong there.
Third, check the schedule. The live music is the soul of the ground floor. If you hate noise, go during the day on a Tuesday. If you want the full "Wolf of Wall Street" energy, Friday night is your window.
Navigating the location
The Ned is sitting right on top of Bank Station. Literally.
- Address: 27 Poultry, London EC2R 8AJ.
- Access: Use the Waterloo & City line or the Central line to get there fast.
- The Neighborhood: You’re steps away from the Royal Exchange and Mansion House. On weekends, the City is eerily quiet, which makes The Ned feel like an oasis. On weekdays, it’s the eye of the storm.
There’s a common misconception that The Ned is "over." That the hype died down after it opened in 2017. That's just wrong. If anything, it has solidified its place as the definitive social hub for the financial district. Other hotels have opened—the Pan Pacific, the Four Seasons at Ten Trinity Square—and while they are more "luxurious" in a traditional sense, they lack the raw, chaotic energy of The Ned.
It’s the sheer volume of history that keeps it relevant. You can’t fake those 92 columns. You can't replicate the feeling of being in a building that once held the country’s wealth. It’s a monument to capitalism that’s been converted into a monument to a good time.
Actionable steps for your visit
- Secure a reservation at Cecconi’s at least two weeks in advance if you’re aiming for a Thursday or Friday night.
- Download the Soho House app even if you aren't a member; it sometimes shows availability for the public restaurants more accurately than third-party sites.
- Visit the Vault Bar early. If you aren't a member, your best bet to see the vault is by staying as a hotel guest, which grants you access to most member areas.
- Plan for the Sunday Feast if you want to experience every restaurant's highlights in one sitting. It's the best value-for-money way to "eat the building."
- Check out the Grooming Room. The Ned has a barbershop (Ned's Barbershop) and a parlor for women. Getting a haircut in a marble-clad room with a double espresso is a peak London experience.
Stop looking for a "quiet corner." There aren't many. Instead, lean into the scale of it. Order a drink, watch the bankers celebrate or commiserate, and enjoy the fact that you’re in one of the most impressively repurposed buildings in Europe. The Ned City of London is a machine, and once you understand how it turns, it’s one of the best shows in town.