Maison Assouline, the flagship bookstore of luxury publishers Assouline, is concealing a secret: Swans Bar, a haven of sophistication and comfort secluded from the clamour of Piccadilly. The specialties here are the cocktails, which though timeless have taken on the signature style of the Swans Bar, referencing the titles published by Assouline and cocktails given updates and twists (the Burnt Mandarin Negroni is particularly tempting). Guests can also expect a selection of light bites and small plates that draw inspiration from the European continent and Mediterranean.
The bar and seating area is small, but it’s both romantic and relaxing, surrounded by bright and colourful coffee table books that appear almost larger than life. While there is a bar counter, tables with chairs and banquette seating that backs directly onto large bookshelves, makes an attractive spot to while away a few hours. There’s a slight retro feel to the space, which - located inside an imposing building designed by Edwin Lutyens - is lit by individual table lamps.
The Swans Bar menu draws on the classics. There’s even a dedicated ‘Martini a la Swans’ menu, offering well known variations made from the best quality spirits. From here come dry Martinis and Dirty Gibsons, but you’ll also find riffs on James Bond’s tipple, an ‘Elit Vesper’ Martini pepped up with a little tonic and the ‘Eau de Martini’ which comes with a caviar bump, for an extra hit of luxury. The small size of the bar belies the mastery and craft at play, which might be better described as a lab. Elsewhere, the cocktail menu offers seasonal tipples like a ‘Tokyo Chic’ cocktail of Nikka Days, Sakura Umesby, red sake, yuzu, and sparkling jasmine tea.
As for the food, the concise bar menu features the likes of baba ganoush, buffalo burrata, a cheese selection, foie gras, and pata negra jamon Iberico.