Inspired by 1920s Cubism and done out in sophisticated shades of grey, with textured walls of platinum silver leaf, dark leather and mirrored panels, the David Collins-designed Connaught Bar creates a setting few can rival. In short, this elegant and stylish lounge simply oozes class.
Drinks are equally eye-catching, especially if you delve into the specialist cocktail list entitled ‘The Essence’: here you’ll find a line-up reflecting the different elements that make the bar unique, all listed under headings such as ‘foundation’, ‘finesse’ and ‘flair’.
From the ‘foundation’ section, we like Set in Stone (Star of Bombay Gin, Bols Genever, Del Duque Amontillado sherry, Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto, elicriso oil and Vesper bitters, mixed together and rested in a marble cask before serving), while Glossy is a virtuous non-alcoholic mix of red berry kombucha, milk oolong tea, Amalfi lemon leaf syrup and pink grapefruit, served up in a silver chalice ‘as graceful and glamorous as our guests’.
We admit it’s a touch fanciful, but this place gets all the basics right too – from polished service that never puts a foot wrong to knock-out Tanqueray 10 Martinis, created tableside from the sleek trolley and stirred over blocks of hand-cut ice, with a choice of seasonal bitters adding that personal touch.
Superb selections of whisky and Champagne are further reasons to visit – and we must also mention the decadent canapés such as egg toast caviar, crispy sushi with chipotle mayo or black truffle and Comté fritters.