The newest upscale bar within the confines of The City of London moves after work celebrations far away from your typical pint-in-hand pub and into the warmer atmosphere of Polynesian-themed Kanaloa. Opened in November by investors Sarah Harding (Girls Aloud), Nick House and Piers Adam (Mahiki), Kanaloa offers a dark, tropical island themed environment that is female-friendly; a good place to celebrate the end of any working day, or week.

Situated on the western edge of The City, between St. Paul's and Chancery Lane, Kanaloa is taking aim at City workers looking for a comfortable place to kick back as well as at the crowd who might otherwise gravitate towards the west of London in search of some good drinking and the option of a little dancing. In an area of London that can be depressingly empty in the evening, Kanaloa is a bold club opening that should get, at minimum, a steady stream of curious onlookers to see what all the fuss is about.

Kanaloa's drink menu offers a great variety of exotic fruit juice based cocktails that are equally appealing for the ladies as they are for men who might be unsure about being seen with a cocktail in hand. You can of course get your beers and wine, but a few of the best house-made original drinks are mixed with rum, spices, and delicious fruit juices including homemade pomegranate and passion fruit. Priced between £8 -£12, the drinks aim not to price out too many of the nearby workers.

Part of the benefit is that with all the good juice on offer, you leave feeling pretty good the next day if you've had one too many. The popular drinks give Kanaloa the aroma of a Hawaiian holiday resort.

Avid London club goers will notice a number of strong similarities between Kanaloa's interior and that of club Mahiki in Mayfair. Unlike Mahiki, Kanaloa does not have as obvious a dance floor but does include a more spacious entrance and bar, as well as increased seating space. Kanaloa's young, friendly, and good-looking staff is a refreshing change from many of the after work drink options facing City workers.

As word spreads about Kanaloa, it's easy to see how it could develop into a reliable after-work destination. I predict that on Thursdays, a popular night out with City workers, it will not be long until a large line develops at the door of Kanaloa.

Written by Tait Simpson