Manhattan Bar at London Marriott Hotel West India Quay

Waving a £50 note while standing three-deep at the bar may be the norm elsewhere on the Wharf, but at the Marriott’s Manhattan lounge, standards are more ‘five star’. The vibe is comfortably a step up from ‘downtown’, all the better for a business drink or relaxed rendezvous. Manhattan’s design fits the bill perfectly with its clean lines, polished wood, leather chairs & generously spaced tables. As one would expect of an international hotel brand, the bar menu runs the gamut from afternoon tea to burgers, club sandwiches or black cod with miso, while the bartender can pull a quick espresso as easily as talking you through the single malts & Cognacs on offer. Five versions of Manhattan (dry, Latin & ‘perfect’ among them) naturally call the shots on the extensive cocktail list.