London is one of the world's greatest cities filled with celebrities from all areas of the entertainment and sporting worlds, and it's easy to find them if you know where to look. Apart from on the streets where most celebrities who don't draw attention to themselves find it easy to go largely unnoticed, there are many regular haunts at which you can spot the rich and famous.
Probably the first place in London where most people and a small army of paparazzi go to spot A-list celebrities is the Ivy restaurant. Regularly frequented by big-name celebs such as Elton John, David Bowie and Tom Cruise, the Ivy offers extremely expensive and comfortable fare, in 1920s decor with stained glass windows. But, it is neither the quality of food or the restaurant's surrounding's that attract the majority of diners, but the chance that they will get to rub shoulders with some of the world's top celebrities. You may get into this restaurant but you will have to book at least six months in advance!
Another place to spot celebs is the Groucho, but only outside; there is little chance of admission to this establishment as it is a private club. It was named after a quip made by the great movie legend Groucho Marx, who famously once said: "I don't want to join a club that would have me as a member!" Situated in the heart of Soho it was originally a refuge for members of the publishing profession, but membership was extended to include proponents of the creative arts and media. The mysterious membership committee ensures that entry to the club is fiercely protected and the initiation ceremony for new entrants to the club is allegedly extremely hair-raising! Celebrity regulars at Groucho's include actors Robert Downey Jr. and Sadie Frost, and model Kate Moss.
Although frequented by celebrities and the rich and famous for many years Lorenzo's in Knightsbridge was catapulted into the public eye in the 1990s when it was identified as one of Princess Diana's favourite haunts. Offering mainly straight-forward Italian cuisine, the restaurant still proves a magnet for celebrities, and frequent visitors include Madonna and husband Guy Ritchie, Gwyneth Paltrow and Naomi Campbell amongst others. The tinted windows provide an element of privacy to the always packed restaurant. Its popularity in part is due to the abundance of 5 star hotels in Knightsbridge at which the rich and famous regularly stay when in London. Again, if you want to dine at this celebrity restaurant make you sure you book well in advance!
Today's love affair with celebrity culture means that celebrity spotting continues to be high on many people's lists of past-times, and there is no better place in the UK to see the stars in the flesh than in the mighty capital - London.
