Holy Bar

Hidden behind a velvet curtain in Holy Carrot you’ll find Holy Bar, a mysterious, edgy cocktail spot unlike anything else in Knightsbridge. Despite its name, Holy Bar’s sumptuous red interiors and low lighting make the entire experience feel delightfully sinful, and this juxtaposition only adds to the fun.

The setting is what makes visiting Holy Bar a truly immersive experience. With its leather banquettes, marble tables, imposing fireplace and crystal chandelier, Holy Bar lies somewhere between a chapel, a fortune teller’s tent and Dracula’s castle. The stunning stained-glass window behind the bar deserves a special mention, while the bar itself is tucked away in a semi-alcove, adding to the sense of mystery and excitement.

After being seated, our server lit our ‘crystal ball’ and presented us with a stack of tarot cards, which double up as the cocktail menu. Each intricately designed card featured a bespoke cocktail based on the tarot archetype on the back. Intriguing messages drew us to ‘The Lovers’ and ‘The Hermit’ cocktails - The Lovers was predictably sweet, but not sickly thanks to the tart rhubarb and lemon flavours cutting through, while The Hermit offered fragrant aromatic herbal and strong cucumber flavours. Round two of cocktails saw us opting for ‘The Fool’, a mouth-watering vegan take on a pisco sour with apricot liquor, and the intriguing ‘Temperance’ which had the interesting inclusion of shiitake garum, adding a savoury, spiced depth to this concoction.

Food next, and our vegan feast was comprised of crispy maki - which lacked in structural integrity but didn't compromise on flavour - heart of palm calamari with a particularly delicious green sour cream and an oddly chosen yet tasty side of BBQ sauce, and smoked aubergine carpaccio. The latter particularly was unconventional but tasty, with smoky aubergine, rich nutty black tahini sauce and bright pomegranate cutting through. The pulpy texture of the smoky baba ganoush was a tad off-putting - a side of bread would have been an easy way to remedy this.

Great cocktails, flavoursome food, magical surroundings - if you’re thinking about a trip Holy Bar, a good night is definitely on the cards.

Holy Bar in Knightsbridge comes from the founders of plant-based restaurant Holy Carrot, and is a magical and mysterious cocktail bar inspired by the surrealism of Salvador Dali and Peter Pan’s Neverland. Expect the unexpected with botanical cocktails, crystal therapy, Tarot readings and immersive experiences set within a zen space adorned with antique silver mirrors, crystal chandeliers, a warm fireplace filled with candles and a striking stained glass window. 

Each of the cocktails served at Holy Bar are curated to represent a tarot archetype that defines the energy surrounding the guests' individual drinking experience. Look out for The Star (Piper-Heidsieck Essentiel Extra Brut Champagne with homemade blackberry sorbet) and The Magician (dark and white rum, ginger liqueur, Fernet Branca Menta, lime juice and homemade carob soda).  

There is also a selection of non-alcoholic cocktails including The Empress, which combines homemade matcha soda, ceremonial matcha, oat and agave, and The World, which is a mix of Three Spirits Nightcap, fresh lime, homemade cranberry syrup and Belu fiery ginger beer. 

There is also a selection of plant-based snacks to nibble on while you sip on a cocktail. Examples of dishes include ‘Fish’ and Chips, which sees tofu wrapped in nori and served under a dome of smoke with bergamot aioli, purple potato and Jerusalem artichoke chips. Plus, Green Magic Hummus made with edamame and wild rocket, black garlic and tapioca balls, and Buffalo ‘Calamari’ with green sour cream and homemade hickory buffalo sauce. All its dishes are free from gluten, refined sugar, preservatives and additives.   

Holy Bar, akin to Holy Carrot, works with Champagne House Piper-Heidsieck, due to its commitment to eco-responsible farming and sustainability. You’ll find Piper-Heidsieck in many of its botanical cocktails.