There is something wonderfully unexpected about the new incarnation of The Royal Bell in Bromley. Long known locally as one of the town’s landmark buildings, the grand Victorian property has undergone an ambitious transformation (helmed by local businessman Mark Goldberg) that feels both respectful to its history and entirely geared towards modern London socialising. BY SAMANTHA READY

What was once simply a historic building has evolved into a multi-layered destination: boutique hotel, private members’ club, cocktail bar, restaurant, summer terrace and entertainment hub, all wrapped inside a building that still retains the confidence of its original architecture.

The refurbishment has been substantial, but cleverly judged. Period features remain proudly intact, while interiors now lean moodier and more contemporary. Rich tones, ambient lighting and textured finishes give the labyrinthian spaces a sense of occasion without tipping into rigorous formality. Downstairs buzzes with conversation and cocktails, while tucked-away corners (some hidden behind secret doors) and velvet-lined seating create the sense that something interesting is always about to happen.

And on the evening we visited, it absolutely did.

The Belle Affair has found a fitting home within The Royal Bell’s glamourous new identity. The evening blends dinner-party energy with immersive entertainment, creating a night out that feels increasingly rare outside of London and most akin to those classically sophisticated evening supper club shows of the Vegas strip. Guests settled in with bottomless prosecco (controlled by tapping the table lamp to indicate to the attentive front of house team that you need a top up) and endless pizza (worth the visit alone and demonstrating the impact that Aldo Zilli has had on the food offering) as the room filled steadily, anticipation building with each refill.

The atmosphere struck that sweet spot between theatrical and relaxed. No stiff dress codes or intimidating exclusivity, just groups of friends, couples and celebratory tables, all leaning into the escapism of the evening. The pizza kept flowing throughout, hot from the kitchen and ideal for indulging in between performances, while empty glasses were topped up almost before they reached empty. And if free-flowing prosecco is not your tipple persuasion there is a full bar service and some pretty killer cocktails on offer, too.

Then the lights lowered. The show, choreographed and conceptualised by Lauren Cronin, was brilliantly varied and paced so the energy never dipped, sitting at that perfect spot of risqué and suggestive but never crude. A live singer opened proceedings with powerful vocals that instantly commanded the room, before dancers swept between the tables with polished choreography and plenty of playful audience interaction. Burlesque performances brought the glamour and humour in equal measure, teasing rather than shocking, while the aerial performance completely shifted the room’s focus. Suspended high above the audience, the performer twisted and dropped through the air with astonishing control and grace, the entire room momentarily encapsulated in silence before erupting into applause. 

What worked particularly well was how intimate it all felt. The venue size allows guests to feel genuinely immersed rather than simply watching from afar. Combined with attentive service and the constant hum of conversation between acts, the evening felt more like being part of a stylish, exclusive house party than attending a formal show.

Rather than rushing home afterwards, which was just as well as the in-house DJ spins old-school house and garage tunes on the decks until 1am, we checked into one of the newly opened hotel rooms upstairs, which proved a perfect end to the evening. 

The hotel aesthetic mirrors the downstairs spaces beautifully: boutique in feel, confident in design and unmistakably contemporary while still acknowledging the building’s heritage bones. Bedrooms combine warm lighting, plush fabrics and sleek finishes, with comfortable beds that feel genuinely indulgent after a late evening downstairs. Bathrooms are modern and polished, while thoughtful touches throughout, such as premium protein snacks and mini bar gin, give the rooms a residential rather than corporate feel. Staying also grants guests access to spaces typically reserved for members; the basement gym, sports bar and library (that aforementioned space behind the hidden doors) are all worth exploring, while in summer months the new terrace offers a multi-level space perfect for brunch, lunch, dinner and evening drinks.

There is a clear lifestyle approach here. Guests can move from cocktails to cabaret to bed without ever leaving the building, and by morning the atmosphere softens entirely. Sunlight filters through the historic windows, the pace slows and the building reveals another side of itself entirely, aided by a neat oat flat white from the ground-floor Zilli Cafe.

The Royal Bell’s reinvention feels smart because it understands what people increasingly want from hospitality – flexibility, atmosphere and experience. Whether visiting for drinks on the terrace, dinner, a members’ event, an overnight stay, a Belle Brunch or an evening like The Belle Affair, it offers something that feels transportive without requiring a more arduous jaunt into the capital.

The Belle Affair itself is slick without losing charm, glamorous without pretension and just really good fun. Combined with the beautifully restored surroundings and the ease of staying overnight afterwards, it makes for a wonderfully escapist and helpfully accessible evening. 

Find The Belle Affair at The Royal Bell every Saturday. Shows start at 7.30pm and include 90 minutes of bottomless prosecco and free-flowing pizza for £65pp.