The Story of Gilgamesh

Gilgamesh was the son of a mortal King and a goddess; the king of Uruk (known in the Bible as Erech), the greatest king on Earth and the strongest super human to ever exist. Gilgamesh oppressed the people of Uruk and insisted on sleeping with every virgin. The unhappy people of Uruk prayed for freedom. Finally the gods responded to the prayers of the citizens of Uruk and sent a wild, brutish man, Enkidu, to challenge Gilgamesh. The pair were set to wrestle, however when there was no clear victor, Gilgamesh and Enkidu become close friends.

Gilgamesh wanted people to remember him for heroic deeds, so he proposed a great adventure to kill the giant Humbaba Guardian of the Great Cedar forest, by chopping off his head. After these events Gilgamesh’s fame spread. The goddess of love, Ishtar was very attracted to him and asked him to marry her. Gilgamesh rudely refused pointing out that she had ruined the lives of her previous husbands. Hurt by this Ishtar asked her father, Anu, Lord of the heavens to send the bull of the heavens to punish him. However, Enkidu caught the bull by the horns and Gilgamesh killed it.

The Gods held a council to determine who should die for these attacks on divinity. As Gilgamesh was half divine and half human, where as Enkidu was half human half animal the sacrifice fell upon Enkidu. Enkidu quickly fell ill with ominous dreams, after suffering for 12 days he finally died leaving Gilgamesh distraught with grief and petrified of dying himself. Gilgamesh decided to go in search of Utnapishtim the only human to be granted immortality by the gods to ask him his secret of immortality. After much hesitation Utnapishtim reveals to Gilgamesh that a secret plant bestowing eternal youth is hidden in the sea. Gilgamesh weighed himself down by tying rocks to his feet and plunged to the bottom of the sea to plucked the magic plant to secure his eternal mortality.

Throughout the rest of his life Gilgamesh continues many adventures. The tale ends with Gilgamesh at the end of his journey standing before the gates of Uruk inviting Urshanabi to look around and view the greatness of his city, its high walls, its mason work and at the base of its gates, a stone of lapis lazuli on which is carved Gilgamesh’s accounts of his exploits.

Every element of the Gilgamesh tale has been taken into account and can be seen in the impressive interior of the Gilgamesh Restaurant and Babylon Bar. The most visually stunning venue ever to hit London. A big and bold Babylonian style palace which combines history with elements of contemporary design and modern art to make it one of the most dramatic interiors with hand carved furniture, lapis lazuli inlaid 50metre bar, retractable ceiling revealing al fresco dining experience and ornate walls of beaten bronze panels tell the epic story of Gilgamesh.

Whether an event of epic proportions or an intimate dinner, Gilgamesh boasts 4 distinctively different and individual areas. Dine, drink, dance, socialise in fabulously glamorous and jaw dropping surroundings. An unforgettable experience.

A Menu inspired by the food halls across Asia, Celebrity Chef Ian Pengelley brings his acclaimed Pan-Asian cuisine to Gilgamesh. A selection of signature dishes with influence from South East Asia, China and Japan that are all encouraged to be shared tapas style.