London bars go close in international awards

London could be the right place to hold an upmarket stag night, if the results of a new survey are to be believed.

Alcohol is central to most stag dos, whether they are a lads weekend away or the precursor to a society wedding, so finding the right drinking venue for after the daytime activities is crucial.

Several of the most stylish are to be found in London, according to the High Life Global Gourmet Awards.

Readers of the British Airways magazine voted Harry's Bar in Venice as the world's best, but the other places in the top three were occupied by watering holes in the English capital.

Hakkasan in the West End was runner-up, with South African-themed bbar taking bronze.

Herman Van Den Berg, bbar's manager, described finishing third as a "major achievement".

Mr Van Den Berg added: "Being in the company of Harry’s Bar and Hakkasan is the icing on a fantastic cake."