Peacock Alley

More than a mere antechamber to London Syon Park hotel’s Capability restaurant, Peacock Alley is a lively spot with walls displaying quotes from the likes of Andy Warhol, plus jewel-like modern artwork & a strikingly lit, horseshoe-shaped bar. Business folk & the jet-set crowd, fresh in from nearby Heathrow, congregate here to wind down with a choice tipple from the extensive drinks list. Martinis are a speciality (the basil version is dangerously alluring), though the refreshing hedgerow flavours of ‘bramble on’ (an alcohol-free blend of crushed blackberries, cranberries & mint) shouldn’t be missed. Otherwise, there’s an abundance of premium spirits (especially whisky), alongside classic cocktails from New York’s Waldorf Astoria, & a renaissance for the old-fashioned punchbowl; ice is expertly carved from a huge block at the bar. Snacks are also a notch above the norm – herb-baked queenie scallops, anyone?