I’ve always loved the idea of a hotel bar in London. A piano in the corner plays hummable hits while you sit watching the ladies and gents arrive with their Louis Vuitton steamer trunks with reception greets them like long lost friends.
(NB: listed in alphabetical order)
American Bar at the Stafford
What makes the American Bar so special is its old-world charm and its tongue in cheek decor: the whole bar is decorated from floor to ceiling with model airplanes, photographs, university baseball caps, football helmets and all sorts of US memorabilia. Don’t be fooled though – Benoit Provost and his team take their craft very seriously and there is nothing casual about his attention to detail – every cocktail is a masterpiece. Don’t miss White Mouse, their iconic cocktail named for their resident spy, Nancy Wake, and is a sexy blend of Saffron Gin, Star Anise, Champagne and more!
Recipe here: How to Make the White Mouse
Artesian
Artesian Bar, located within The Langham Hotel in London, is renowned for its innovative and artfully crafted cocktails, blending modern mixology with a touch of playful creativity. Consistently ranked among the best bars in the world, it offers a luxurious and stylish setting, complete with attentive service and a dynamic menu that regularly evolves. The bar’s signature drinks often feature unexpected ingredients and imaginative presentations, making it a must-visit destination for cocktail enthusiasts!
Blue Bar
Don’t think it’s all about the famous David Collins interior. Iconic thought it may be, the Blue Bar is way more than just a color. The cocktails are as stylish as the room in which they are served. Situated within The Berkeley in London, the Blue Bar’s chic and intimate atmosphere is a fav spot for locals and visitors to enjoy a crafted cocktails that blend classic techniques with contemporary flair.
Read More About London’s Best Hotel Bars!
The Coral Room
The Coral Room, located in The Bloomsbury Hotel in London, is a vibrant and stylish bar characterized by its striking coral-colored walls and art deco design. The bar offers a lively yet elegant atmosphere, complemented by an impressive selection of British sparkling wines, creative cocktails, and a menu that highlights seasonal ingredients. It’s always full and always fun!
Connaught Bar
What can you say about the Connaught Bar that has not been said already? Cocktails, interiors, martini trolley, Ago Perrone – tick, tick, tick, tick. Every award has been won, every honor has been received, every prize has been collected. Still, no matter how much you’ve read about the stature of the Connaught Bar, you can never fully know it until you’ve experienced it yourself. Whether it’s your first time or your fiftieth, everyone at the Connaught Bar makes you feel as if you are one of the family. If this is your first time, you kind of have to order their Classic Martini, it’s a rite of passage.
The Donovan Bar
With Il Maestro Salvatore Calabrese at the helm, the Donovan Bar was sure to be on this list! Located within Brown’s Hotel in London, the Donovan Bar pays homage to the legendary photographer Terence Donovan. Its chic, monochrome design is adorned with Donovan’s iconic black-and-white portraits! Known for its expertly crafted cocktails, including a menu curated by renowned bartender Calabrese, Donovan Bar is a great addition to Mayfair.
Read More About London’s Best Hotel Bars!
Dukes Bar
What can I say about Alessandro Palazzi that hasn’t been said already? For those who don’t know, Dukes Bar is the haven for all things martini, thanks to Ian Fleming making it his watering hole. Don’t think the bar is a one-trick pony! Every cocktail is made with the attention and respect it deserves. Still, if you order a martini, their super glam trolley arrives before you to conjure up the celebrated combination of gin (or vodka) and vermouth! Dukes Martini, but remember you are only allowed to have two, so sip them slowly.
The Fumoir Bar
The Fumoir Bar in the famous Claridge’s Hotel is a wonder of Art Deco design! It exudes timeless elegance and sophistication. The bar offers an extensive selection of fine wines, rare spirits, and expertly crafted cocktails. It would be tough to find a bar that is more glamorous in the heart of Mayfair. Think Bogie and Bacall and you have the atmosphere down pat!
Read More About London’s Best Hotel Bars!
Scarfes Bar
Homey and inviting, Scarfes Bar in the gorgeous Rosewood Hotel in Holborn, is named after the renowned British artist and caricaturist Gerald Scarfe. It’s inspired by the atmosphere of a drawing room, with live jazz music playing each day from a host of talented performers evoking a convivial and sophisticated yet intimate atmosphere and located a short distance from London’s Covent Garden. The bar features an impressive collection of his original and often satirical artwork adorning the walls, with its plush velvet seating, and of course expertly crafted cocktails!
Seed Library
In the basement of the new One Hundred Shoreditch hotel – the Seed Library is changing up things, as renowned mixologist Ryan Chetiyawardana aka Mr. Lyan always does and creating a “lo-fi, analogue approach to bartending.” Whatever they call it, I say it translates as great cocktails. This intimate bar offers a unique approach to cocktails, focusing on simplicity and seasonal ingredients. With its low-key atmosphere and innovative drinks, Seed Library provides a refreshing escape from the bustling streets above.
Velvet
Velvet By Salvatore Calabrese is the opulent, seductive and intimate cocktail bar in the Corinthia London under the stewardship of Calabrese, AKA The Maestro. Created to celebrate the magic and theatre of hospitality, Velvet is concealed behind rich velvet curtains where the lost art of cocktail making is beautifully reimagined. With a sophisticated cocktail list of classics that have stood the test of time, alongside modern drinks with innovative twists, Velvet is one of the most desirable destinations in London.
Read More About London’s Best Hotel Bars!
Don’t Miss: The Best Bars of London’s South Kensington
Soho is not only the best area in London to drink! Discover the best places to drink in London’s South Kensington and Chelsea, plus tips on what to drink at each!