Donovan Bar at Brown's Hotel

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Bronze Award
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SquareMeal Review of Donovan Bar at Brown's Hotel

Bronze Award

Smooth and dependable with a tasteful and nicely upholstered interior, the Donovan Bar is quietly stylish – if not the most exciting ride in town. However, at £15 per cocktail, this is possibly not for your average runaround tippler. Fans of sidecar and classics of similar vintage will find them among a list of contemporary ideas such as the rock (Glenmorangie 18-year-old whisky, fresh pineapple, black pepper and lemon juice spritzed with smoky Scotch), while gin lovers might fancy a Sipsmith and Aperol old fashioned, sipped to the sounds of live jazz most evenings. There's also a good range of grape and grain to go with proper English snacks – think devils on horseback, fishfingers with mushy peas and chips, Portland crab on toast or pork crackling with Bramley apple sauce

Good to know

Average Price
££££ - £50 - £79
Cuisines
Bars
Ambience
Cosy, Dark and moody, Fun, Glamorous, Quiet conversation
Perfect for
Dates, Romantic, Special occasions

About

Nestled in Brown's Hotel, in its luxury Mayfair location, Donovan Bar provides a taste of luxury when it comes to London drinking spots. An impressive menu comes courtesy of the legendary maestro of cocktails, Salvatore Calabrese; one of the world's leading bartenders and former President of the United Kingdom Bartender's Guild. If you want the opportunity to drink cocktails made by the same master mixologist that has prepared drinks for move stars and royalty, it is not surprising that it will cost you more than your average round in London.

A stylish bar provides intimate sophistication and a decadence that is typical of Mayfair. A white and grey aesthetic adorns the bar with deep, emerald, velvet chairs, gold accents and patterned glass tables, creating a sleek, picturesque dining room. Guests can sip on tea and coffee during the afternoon while working in this gorgeous setting, before the bar transforms into a place for impeccable pre-dinner drinks, selected from a varied list of Salvatore's personal classics and new, original concotions.

The drinks menu is split into themed cocktails by author, actors and musicians, iconic people, iconic moments, signatures and vintage selections. With drinks inspired by Oscar Wilde, Winnie the Pooh, Orson Welles and Agatha Christie, you can be sipping on an unusual, tasty concotion while reading facts about the drink's origin. A selection of spirits, champagnes and rare vintage alcohols ensures a premium, luxury experience.

While the drinks menu is definitely the star of the show, the bar does offer a great selection of food that turns the spot from a bar into an all-round dining experience. Taking inspiration from European flavours, sharers and small plates compliment the atmosphere well; while larger dishes of beef fillet and seared salmon match the surrounding decadence. 

Donovan Bar at Brown's Hotel is featured in

This venue also offers

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Event Party Venue

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Location

33 Albemarle Street, Mayfair, London, W1S 4BP

020 493 6020 020 493 6020

Website

Opening Times

Bar
Mon 12:00-00:00
Tue 12:00-00:00
Wed 12:00-00:00
Thu 12:00-01:00
Fri 12:00-01:00
Sat 12:00-01:00
Sun 12:00-23:00

Reviews

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1 Review 
Food/Drink
Service
Atmosphere
Value

Rino S

22 August 2024  
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5
The Donovan Bar Mayfair London: The Best Cocktail Bar, A World-class Team, The Best Martini cocktail and much more.

If you are in London The Donovan Bar is the best Cocktail Bar Experience. Located in Albemarle Street in Mayfair into the prestigious Brown's Hotel the Donovan Bar is not comparable not only because the fantastic Cocktail Menu starting from the famous Martini Cocktail, the best of London but because of the unique atmosphere full of class, style, elegance, warm welcome and culture of hospitality created by a World-class Team starting from The Maestro Salvatore Calabrese (@cocktailmaestro) an international Icon in Hospitality industry and Cocktail Bars, two extraordinary drivers well known worldwide as the Director of Mixologist Federico Pavan and the Assistant Director of Mixologist Cristiana Pirinu together with the talented Fabio Spinetti, Alessandro Vella,  Donato, Alessandro, Chiara, Raffaele .
An incredible life experience and moments to remember and everytime you leave The Donovan Bar you can't wait to come back.
Rino Siconolfi

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020 493 6020 020 493 6020

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