Pink velvet Gallery room and futuristic egg-shaped bathroom pods. London's most Instagrammed restaurant interior.
Sketch at 9 Conduit Street in Mayfair, London, is a restaurant and arts venue occupying a Georgian townhouse, recognised as one of the most theatrical interiors in the British dining scene and regularly cited among the most photographed restaurant spaces in the world. The principal visitor draws are the Gallery dining room and the bathroom facilities, each offering an entirely distinct aesthetic. The Gallery is a long room draped floor to ceiling in blush-pink fabric and velvet, with walls hung with sketched illustrations commissioned from artist David Shrigley covering thousands of individual pieces across every surface. Pink velvet banquettes, tables, and soft lighting create an immersive monochromatic environment designed for both dining and social media photography. The bathroom facilities — commonly called the egg pods — consist of individual oval white pods suspended on thin legs in a dimly lit anteroom, each enclosing a complete private bathroom within the smooth curved interior. The futuristic, industrial-minimal aesthetic of the pods contrasts entirely with the Gallery's softness. Sketch operates as a working restaurant and bar across multiple rooms, and visiting the Instagram-famous rooms requires either making a reservation for afternoon tea (the most photogenic mealtime, taking place in the Gallery room), lunch, or dinner. The Parlour and the Lecture Room are separate dining spaces with their own aesthetic. Afternoon tea in the Gallery is one of London's most in-demand reservations, typically booking out several weeks in advance and costing approximately £50-75 per person. Visiting purely to photograph the bathrooms without making a reservation is not accommodated.
Location
51.5136, -0.1407 View on map
Highlights
- The Gallery pink room — walls covered in David Shrigley sketches, blush-pink velvet seating, and soft evening lighting
- Egg pod bathrooms — futuristic individual white oval pods suspended in a dimly lit anteroom
- Afternoon tea service in the Gallery — the principal opportunity to photograph the famous pink room as a paying guest
- David Shrigley's thousands of individual illustrations covering the Gallery walls — each one distinct on close inspection
- Mayfair Georgian townhouse setting — 9 Conduit Street, a few minutes from Bond Street and Regent Street
Tips for visiting
- Book afternoon tea in the Gallery room well in advance — it fills weeks ahead and is the most photographed mealtime
- Afternoon tea is the primary access route to the Gallery and egg pods; the rooms cannot be visited without a reservation
- Request a central table in the Gallery when booking for the best sightlines of the illustrated walls
- Photography is permitted in all areas; the soft evening lighting in the Gallery photographs best with a slightly raised ISO
- Dress smartly — Sketch enforces a smart casual dress code across all dining rooms
When to visit
Afternoon tea service in the Gallery provides the best natural-light conditions for interior photography during daylight hours. Evening dinner visits use designed low lighting that creates a more atmospheric but lower-light environment. Book at least 3-4 weeks in advance for weekend afternoon tea slots.
Accessibility
Sketch is located in a Georgian townhouse with a step at the street entrance. A lift provides access between floors. The Gallery dining room is accessible for wheelchair users via the ground floor. The egg pod bathrooms are raised on legs and may present access challenges; contact Sketch directly when booking to discuss specific requirements.
Frequently asked questions
Can visitors enter Sketch just to see the famous rooms without dining?
No — Sketch is a working restaurant and bar. Access to the Gallery room and the egg pod bathrooms requires a reservation for dining, afternoon tea, or drinks service. Walk-in access to photograph without consuming is not permitted.
How much does afternoon tea at Sketch cost?
Afternoon tea in the Gallery room typically costs approximately £50-75 per person, subject to change. Prices vary by the specific tea option and seasonal menus. Booking online in advance via the Sketch website is required.
What are the egg pod bathrooms at Sketch?
The egg pods are individual oval white capsule bathrooms suspended on slender legs in the anteroom of the bathrooms at Sketch. Each pod contains a complete toilet and washbasin within a smooth white curved interior. They have become one of London's most widely shared interior photography subjects.