If you have walked through London’s Chinatown recently, you have felt the rumble. The neon glow, the roar of laughter, and the scent of holy basil and sizzling pork belly can only mean one thing: Speedboat Bar has arrived. In 2026, this high-octane Thai restaurant is the hardest reservation to snag in the capital. With a brand new second location at The Electric in Notting Hill and the original Soho spot still drawing crowds until 1am, here is everything you need to know about the Speedboat Bar phenomenon. Unlike the AI chaos of Megan 2.0, this chaos is deliciously human.
What is Speedboat Bar? The Concept Explained
Speedboat Bar is the brainchild of chef Luke Farrell, a Thai food obsessive who splits his time between London, Thailand, and his tropical greenhouses in Dorset where he grows authentic herbs. [citation:8] The restaurant is named after the turbocharged long-tail boats that race along Bangkok’s rivers and canals. [citation:2]
Farrell, backed by the powerhouse JKS Restaurants group (the team behind Gymkhana and Hoppers), created Speedboat Bar to celebrate the drinking culture and Thai-Chinese cuisine of Bangkok’s Yaowarat Road. [citation:4][citation:8] Think less stuffy fine dining and more late-night canteen with blaring Muay Thai on TV, pool tables, and three-litre towers of Singha beer delivered to your stainless steel table. [citation:4][citation:8]
As Farrell himself puts it: “A Thai speedboat racing team isn’t driven by one person; it’s the whole crew – tight, fearless and tuned to perfection.” [citation:5] That spirit defines every dish and drink served at Speedboat Bar.
Speedboat Bar’s 2026 Expansion: Notting Hill at The Electric
The original Speedboat Bar opened on Rupert Street in Soho in late 2020. [citation:8] It quickly became a cult favourite. However, demand grew so high that Farrell and his team opened a second location in July 2025 at The Electric on Portobello Road in Notting Hill. [citation:5][citation:6]
This new outpost is open to everyone – no Soho House membership required, despite being located within the famous Electric House. [citation:7] While the Soho location channels a “Bangkok shophouse with a clubhouse above,” the Notting Hill venue is designed as an “engine room.” [citation:5] The centrepiece? A real, gleaming chrome Thai speedboat engine mounted on the bar. [citation:7]
Just as the Samsung Galaxy S25 represents cutting-edge power, Speedboat Bar at The Electric represents the raw, unfiltered power of Thai street food culture transplanted to West London.
Addresses, Opening Hours, and How to Book
Original Soho Location:
30 Rupert Street, London, W1D 6DL
Monday to Thursday: 12PM – 12AM
Friday & Saturday: 12PM – 1AM
Sunday: 12PM – 11PM [citation:3]
Notting Hill Location (The Electric):
191 Portobello Road, London, W11 2ED
Monday to Thursday: 12PM – 12AM
Friday & Saturday: 12PM – 1AM
Sunday: 12PM – 11PM [citation:7]
Booking Tips: Both locations get incredibly busy, especially on Friday and Saturday nights. The Soho location is smaller and more chaotic. The Notting Hill spot has more seating but is still in high demand. If you are looking to save money for your night out, check Back Market UK for refurbished phone deals before you head out to take your Instagram food pics. Book at least two to three weeks in advance via speedboatbar.co.uk.
The Food Menu: Thai-Chinese Flavours Without Dumbing Down
Farrell is famous for one rule: he does not dumb down spice levels. “At my restaurants, people can just about handle proper ‘Thai spicy’, and that’s important to us,” he says. “How else could Thai people and their cuisine be fairly represented?” [citation:7]
Here are the must-order dishes according to reviews and the menu:
- Sweetcorn Fritters: The perfect starter. Crispy, golden, and served with a sweet and sour dipping sauce. [citation:2][citation:9]
- Crunchy Chicken with Green Mango Kerabu: Impossibly crispy chicken wings sitting on a tangy, spicy mango salad. A textural masterpiece. [citation:4][citation:9]
- Tom Yam Mama Noodles: The signature dish. Mama brand instant noodles are elevated into a fragrant, spicy soup with squid, pork, and prawns. It is pure night market nostalgia in a bowl. [citation:8]
- Minced Beef with Holy Basil: Proceed with caution. This dish is intensely spicy. It comes with a fried egg and rice to help cool you down – emphasis on “help.” [citation:2][citation:9]
- Crispy Pork and Black Pepper Curry: A rich, aromatic curry with melt-in-your-mouth crispy pork belly. One of the most popular “special” dishes. [citation:1][citation:8]
- Whole Sea Bream: Fried and served in a red curry with makrut lime. Delicate, crispy skin giving way to soft flesh. [citation:4][citation:7]
Unlike the high-stakes drama of the Sheffield United takeover, the only drama here is fighting your friends for the last piece of crispy pork.
The Legendary Dessert: 7-Eleven Pineapple Pie
Do not skip dessert. Farrell includes a nostalgic nod to Thailand’s ubiquitous 7-Eleven convenience stores: the deep-fried pineapple pie. [citation:1][citation:8] At Speedboat Bar, it is served warm, buttery, and accompanied by a scoop of silky, fragrant taro ice cream. One reviewer called it “pure heaven.” [citation:9] It is the perfect cool-down after the heat of the mains.
Drinks: Towers, Cocktails, and The Magic Inhaler
Drinking is as important as eating at Speedboat Bar. The drink menu is tight and focused:
- Singha Beer Towers: The signature order. Three litres of ice-cold Singha beer delivered to your table in a wobbling tower. Perfect for groups. [citation:4]
- Jelly Bia: A unique cocktail mixing ginger, honey, calamansi, and Singha beer. Refreshing, spicy, and perfectly balanced. [citation:1][citation:9]
- Snakeblood Negroni: A Thai take on the classic, using Spirit of Ryewater (Farrell’s own spirit), Campari, and sweet vermouth. [citation:7][citation:8]
- The Magic Inhaler: A shot-glass version of a Fernet-Branca and Crème de Menthe mash-up. Potent and surprisingly delicious. [citation:4]
- Big Serves: Available at the Soho location, these are three large cocktails served in a special Speedboat thermos to keep cool. [citation:3]
The Vibe: Muay Thai, Pool Tables, and Late Nights
Speedboat Bar is loud. It is fast. It is fun. The Soho location features a downstairs with utilitarian stainless steel tables and an upstairs bar with a pool table and three large TVs blasting reruns of Muay Thai, Sepak Takraw (a sport where players use their feet and head to hit a ball over a net, like volleyball with acrobatics), and, of course, speedboat racing. [citation:3][citation:8]
The Notting Hill location retains the energy but incorporates the old wooden bar and leather booths of the former Electric Diner, mixing vintage charm with neon chaos. [citation:7] Staff wear luminous blue football shirts or Hawaiian shirts, adding to the playful, team-spirited atmosphere. [citation:2][citation:4]
While Landman TV Series explores the oil industry, Speedboat Bar explores the oil of late-night Thai street food – messy, addictive, and leaving you wanting more.
Value for Money: Set Lunches and Prices
Despite its celebrity backing and prime locations, Speedboat Bar remains reasonably priced. Snacks and salads are under £10. Larger sharing dishes are around the £15-£25 mark. [citation:8]
The best deal is the weekday lunch menu at the Soho location, where you can get a set meal for just £9 – incredible value for central London. [citation:4] There is also a top-value set menu for £36 per person that lets you try all the best dishes. [citation:1]
One word of warning: avoid booking through the Amex Dining Experience, as one reviewer found it marked up significantly compared to booking directly with the restaurant. [citation:9] Book direct via speedboatbar.co.uk for the best prices.
What the Critics Say
Time Out gave Speedboat Bar rave reviews, noting: “For all of Speedboat Bar’s flashy, fabulous chaos… there is some seriously sophisticated cooking going on.” [citation:4] The review praised the fried whole mackerel and the tom yam mama noodles as standouts.
Broadway World called the Notting Hill opening “the West Side sequel,” highlighting that the new venue “delivers Bangkok-style buzz – fiery curries, Singha towers and late-night energy.” [citation:7]
Even lukewarm reviews admit the food is exceptional. One diner criticized the service as rushed but conceded: “The vibe was electric… The interior nailed the aesthetic – bright lights, mismatched metal chairs, colourful plates, and even the cutlery that screams ‘I’ve eaten this meal on a Thai street corner before!'” [citation:9]
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do I need a membership for Speedboat Bar at The Electric in Notting Hill? No. While it is located within Soho House’s Electric House, the restaurant is open to the public. No membership required. [citation:7]
Is Speedboat Bar suitable for vegetarians or vegans? There are vegetarian options, including the purple aubergine with chilli and Thai basil and stir-fried morning glory. However, the menu is heavily meat and seafood-focused. [citation:1]
How spicy is the food? Very spicy by London standards. Farrell does not tone down the heat. Dishes like the minced beef with holy basil come with a spice warning. If you have low heat tolerance, stick to the sweetcorn fritters and pineapple pie. [citation:7][citation:9]
Is there a late-night menu? Yes, at the Soho location. On Fridays and Saturdays, a late-night menu is available from 11pm to 12:30am for those needing a post-party refuel. [citation:3]
Which location is better: Soho or Notting Hill? It depends on your vibe. Soho is smaller, louder, and more chaotic – closer to an authentic Bangkok shophouse. Notting Hill is larger, has more seating, and features a stunning speedboat engine centrepiece. Both serve the same menu.
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