The Guide to Finding the Best Nail Salon in London: Discover Iris Avenue

Iris
6 days ago
4 min read

Planning a trip to London and wondering where to get the best gel manicure, BIAB nails, or nail art while you’re here? You’re not alone. Every week at Iris Avenue, we welcome travellers from New York, Los Angeles, Texas, Florida, Chicago, and everywhere in between who want beautiful nails and a memorable London experience.

Where Is Iris Avenue Located?

We’re located in Central London, in a neighbourhood called Fitzrovia. But if you’re visiting from abroad, the easiest way to think of our location is:

3-minute walk from Tottenham Court Road Station
5 minutes from Oxford Street
10 minutes from Soho
Near the British Museum and Covent Garden

Most tourists say this is one of the easiest parts of London to navigate. We’re surrounded by restaurants, shopping, hotels, and great nightlife. We really are in Central London.

How to Get Here (For Visitors Using Google Maps, Uber, or the Tube)

Simply search:

“Iris AvenueNail and Beauty Bar”on Google Maps or Apple Maps.

You can get to us by:

✔ The Tube (London Underground)

Think of it like the New York Subway. Take the Elizabeth Line, Central Line to Tottenham Court Road, or the Northern Line to Goodge Street.

✔ Uber or Bolt

Both apps are widely used in London. Set drop-off to “Iris Avenue Nail and Beauty Bar”

✔ Walking from Landmark Locations

From Oxford Street → 5 minutes
From Soho → 10 minutes
From Covent Garden → 12–15 minutes
From British Museum → 8 minutes

We’re right in the middle of everything.

Why Locals Love Iris Avenue

Here’s why:

⭐ 1. Trend-Led Nail Designs

We offer the nail art styles:

Hailey Bieber chrome / glazed donut nails
Aura nails
Cat eye designs
Milky white BIAB
Minimal, clean-girl aesthetic
Custom nail art

⭐ 2. BIAB Explained (Because most clients ask)

In the UK, we use BIAB (Builder In A Bottle).This is the British version of a builder gel overlay. Stronger and longer-lasting than regular gel nails.

If you normally get builder gel, hard gel, or Structured Manicures in the U.S., BIAB is for you.

⭐ 3. A Nail Salon… with a Cocktail Bar

Only in London will you find a place where you can sip a signature cocktail, mocktail or coffee, have a manicure, and relax in a chic atmosphere made for photos.

Our favourites for travellers:

Hermes, take me away
Messenger to the Gods
Coconut Matcha Cloud (non-alcoholic options too)

⭐ 4. Cleanliness, Safety, and Technique

We care deeply about hygiene standards.

We use:

Single-use files
High-grade sanitation
Gentle but precise e-file cuticle work
Fully trained technicians
Strong focus on nail health

If you're searching for clean nail salon London or safe e-file manicure London, this is exactly what we specialise in.

What to Book as a First-Time Visitor

Here’s what travellers book the most:

✔ BIAB Manicure

The UK’s most popular treatment. Strong, long-lasting, and perfect for travellers who need durability. We call this our SOS Gel Manicure.

✔ Gel Manicure (Gel Nails)

For classic shine and colour — or color if you’re browsing American spellings. This is our Iris Avenue manicure with Gel Polish.

✔ Gel Pedicure

You’ll be walking everywhere; a fresh pedicure is a must.

✔ Nail Art Add-On

Especially popular with tourists looking for Instagram-worthy content.

✔ A Cocktail or Matcha Add-On

Because why not?

Understanding UK vs US Nail Terms

American → British Gel nails → Gel manicure or shellac manicure Builder gel → BIAB Acrylic full set → Nail extensions (can be applied with hard gel or acrylic) Dip nails/SNS → Not common in the UK, we would suggest a builder gel manicure instead. Color → Colour Manicure salon → Nail salon

Is Iris Avenue Good for Solo Travellers?

Absolutely.

Our area is:

Well-lit
Central
Easy to navigate
Filled with cafés, hotels, and shops

Our team is warm, friendly, and used to welcoming international clients every day.

A Perfect London Afternoon (Tourist-Approved)

If you’re planning your day around your nail appointment, here’s a suggested itinerary:

Start with a manicure at Iris Avenue
Walk to Oxford Street for shopping
Visit Liberty London (a must-see for visitors)
Explore Soho for lunch or dinner
Stay in the area for drinks or cocktails at Lina Stores speakeasy!

This is one of the most popular mini-itineraries for our American guests.

Popular Search Terms That Lead Travellers to Us

To help you (and to help Google understand this page), here are common searches Americans use:

“Best nail salon London”
“Gel nails London”
“Cute nail salon London”
“Luxury nail spa London”
“Nails near Oxford Street”
“Where to get nails done in London on vacation”
“BIAB manicure London”
“Nail art London”
“Clean nail salon London”
“Nails near British Museum”
“Things to do in London for girls”

These are exactly the keywords we optimise for.

Visit Iris Avenue During Your London Trip

If you’re looking for a beautiful manicure, an Instagrammable experience, and a relaxing moment during your travels, Iris Avenue is the perfect London destination.

Whether you’re here for a weekend, a business trip, a family holiday, or a girls’ trip, we’d love to welcome you.