The American Bar at The Savoy

Opened in 1893, The Savoy’s American Bar has served a galaxy of stars (many of whom are captured in Terry O’Neill’s iconic photo-portraits), & it is still widely regarded as London’s quintessential silver-service hotel bar. To pianissimo renditions of George Gershwin, Cole Porter & Burt Bacharach, jet-setting tourists, celebs & others sip classic recipes that were invented here, from pre-war conceit hanky panky to the more recent homage to Vanity Fair’s editor Graydon Carter (Grey Goose vodka, red vermouth, Chartreuse, lemon & agarve nectar). Meanwhile, if fine whiskies & Cognacs are what you crave, look no further. The American’s creamy art-deco interior largely escaped some of the vulgar design excesses that scarred the old dame after her recent facelift, but unflattering lighting, eye-pulling striped carpets & frumpy staff uniforms need to go back to the drawing board.