First look at Samba Room, London’s innovative cocktail lounge packed with Brazilian energy
London’s Samba Room, an extension of SushiSamba, is a dynamic bar, lounge and private dining space designed by Fabled Studio

Taking in the vast London views from the Heron Tower, SushiSamba has had a decade of success in the city, and has now expanded into the 39th floor with the launch of Samba Room, a dynamic bar, lounge and private dining space.
Continuing SushiSamba’s vibrant Brazilian energy, Samba Room immerses guests in its South American charm. With a striking gilded canopy, it lures visitors through a corridor lined with ten golden palm trees, which leads to a mirrored walkway before opening up into a sweeping sky-bar.
First look inside Samba Room, London
Fabled Studio was asked to design the 2,500 sq ft space. Known for designing London restaurants such as Mayfair’s Murano, The Wolseley City and French bistro Josephine, the local studio took on the brief to captivate and mesmerise those who enter the new London cocktail bar.
To begin, the selected tones create a warming atmosphere, while metallic detailing, plush red carpets, and deep brown finishings add a visually seductive touch. Lighting is hung low, creating small pockets of hushed intimacy throughout. Bespoke furniture is distinguished by its soft curves in an array of orange and copper crafted from indigenous walnut, injecting dynamic movement and creating an intricate balance of playful sophistication.
The bar itself is the crowned centrepiece, with a vast liquor display that shimmers under the reflective ceiling, backdropped with expansive cityscape vistas. The lounge and private events space is set just off the bar, with a custom-designed sculptural table suspended from the ceiling, which acts like a decorative art piece, and is also easily lowered to accommodate guests.
The vision came from an archive of inspiration from midcentury Brazilian interiors, while nodding to SushiSamba’s Japanese, Peruvian and Brazilian heritage. 'We wanted Samba Room to serve as an iconic destination, offering guests an immersive experience unlike any other,' said Omar Gutierrez, co-CEO of SushiSamba Group. 'Samba Room represents the evolution of the brand and ignites our creativity even further – a one-of-a-kind space where exceptional design and breathtaking views meet exquisite cocktails and unparalleled service.'
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
Tianna Williams is Wallpaper*s staff writer. Before joining the team in 2023, she contributed to BBC Wales, SurfGirl Magazine, Parisian Vibe, The Rakish Gent, and Country Life, with work spanning from social media content creation to editorial. When she isn’t writing extensively across varying content pillars ranging from design, and architecture to travel, and art, she also helps put together the daily newsletter. She enjoys speaking to emerging artists, designers, and architects, writing about gorgeously designed houses and restaurants, and day-dreaming about her next travel destination.
-
Tour this fire-resilient minimalist weekend retreat in California
A minimalist weekend retreat was designed as a counterpoint to a San Francisco pied-à-terre; Edmonds + Lee Architects’ Amnesia House in Napa Valley is a place for making memories
-
Love, community, anti-gay laws: the queer African artists redefining visibility through portraits
In honour of Pride Month, Ugonnaora Owoh speaks to three artists on African queer legacies and their optimism in advocating for queer rights through art
-
A beauty lover’s tour of Tokyo: hair, nails, shopping and bathing
Part 2 of our Summer in Tokyo beauty series sees Lara Johnson-Wheeler seeking out the city’s best beauty spots
-
Cocktail hour with Stanley Tucci
Wallpaper* catches up with the consummate epicurean to discuss his culinary no-gos, Tucci-esque travel habits and how to make the perfect martini
-
Mark your calendars for Mount Street Neighbourhood Summer Festival, a feast for the senses
The event, 12-14 June 2025, showcases the mix of food, art and community in the heart of London’s Mayfair. Here's what to expect, from afternoon tea to aperitivo, film screenings to biodynamic flowers
-
Healthy chocolate? Eat it at Makers, London’s new Lebanese chocolatier
Located in Chelsea, Makers is a new ‘healthy chocolate’ shop offering treats free of refined sugar, seed oils, wheat and dairy – and it tastes delicious
-
Sketch transforms into an English garden in celebration of Jane Austen’s 250th birthday
The 11th edition of ‘Sketch in Bloom’ nods to the most notable works of Jane Austen with budding floral installations and a quintessentially English afternoon tea
-
At the Regent Street Sensorium, architectural jelly sculptures are designed to ignite the senses
Delve into the history of London’s Regent Street through a jellyscape, a fragrance cloud and more – plus, for the event’s final week, two new immersive workshops (ends 27 April)
-
Burns Night 2025: where to celebrate in London
It is time to raise a wee dram to Scotland’s national poet Robert Burns on Burns Night (25 January). Here is our pick of places to enjoy an evening of generous speechmaking, toasting, and drinking around London
-
Grand English glamour vs the Italian dolce vita? Why Il Pellicano's Claridge’s takeover is a sun-kissed delight
Claridge's welcomes Hotel Il Pellicano with open arms for a one week restaurant residency of laid back luxury and Tuscan charm
-
Lunar New Year in London: where to celebrate the Year of the Wood Snake
Do you want a year of good fortune and happiness? Then it is time to tuck into some of London’s cult favourite hotspots, devour decadent treats, and toast the Lunar New Year, and we have you covered with our guide to all things going on in the city (from 29 January until 8 February 2025)