Equus Bar at The Royal Horseguards

Set in what was the Secret Service’s WWII HQ, Equus pays homage to cavalrymen (not Peter Shaffer’s dark play), & its three comfortable rooms are bedecked with various heroic wall hangings – although the post-modern decor with its scarlet ‘military tunic’ accents isn’t particularly memorable. Decent cocktails (£12.95) are accompanied by prosaic salted nuts & named after past guests: the Gladstone (a premier mix of Rittenhouse rye, Carpano Antica vermouth & bitters) is served Manhattan style, while the George Bernard Shaw is basically a tweaked negroni with Cherry Heering preferred to sweet vermouth. Patriotically, part of the cost of a brandy & Burgundy-based ‘cavalry cocktail’ is passed on to charities supporting wounded soldiers. Champagnes (including Lanson), wines (from £8 a glass) & Harviestoun Ola Dubh ale are also available at the bar.