Here’s a riddle: which hotel has the best bar in London, but isn’t the best bar in London (although it is one of them)?

The answer: The Bassoon Bar at The Corinthia Hotel.

Here’s why… the actual bar, the one the drinks are expertly mixed behind, is a virtuoso piece of design which stretches elegantly for seven metres until it segues seamlessly into a perfectly proportioned piano.

It is truly stunning… and the bar is pretty good too.

The décor ticks all the right boxes for a top quality hotel bar; art deco influence, low-lit, sophisticated, lavish, seductive and intimate, without being cramped.

The cocktails are delicious, decadent and very dear, every ingredient is carefully selected and sourced – even the ice – and every drink carefully crafted by master mixologists.

And that stunning piano doesn’t sit idle – there’s a regular weekly program of quality jazz musicians, a distinct cut above your standard hotel bar fodder.

It all adds up to a great bar, hotel or not. One in the tradition of the original Metropole Hotel, which occupied the site in the 20s and counted Winston Churchill and Buffalo Bill amongst its guests – as well as securing Mantovani as the resident musician!

Bassoon Bar 
Corinthia Hotel
Whitehall Place, London,
SW1A 2BD

www.corinthia.com/hotels/london/dining-and-bars/bars/bassoon-bar/

Tags: bassoon bar, best bars central london, Best Bars London, best hotel bar, cocktail bar, evening out, hotel bar, london best bars, piano bar, smart bar

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Some of the best hotel bars in London are cool in a trendy, flavour of the month way. Whether it’s a trendy small new boutique hotel bar, or a 7 star, see-and-be-seen homage to chic celebrity culture.

But the Blue Bar at The Berkeley Hotel is just achingly, blissfully cool in both ambience and decor. I mean, it literally is blue… all breathtakingly beautifully blue.

Don’t worry though, the blue hues won’t dazzle you… they are far too tasteful and refined for that. Think regency… think pastels… think which one of their expertly made cocktails you’ll choose… think; ‘I’m sure that person over there is famous…”

You’ve got to see it to understand what we’re talking about. Pictures can’t do it justice. It’s small and it’s perfectly formed. And its very coolness attracts a rich – and often famous – clientele.

So, be cool. Just revel in the surroundings and enjoy the delicious cocktails and ambience.

The Blue Bar
The Berkeley Hotel,
Wilton Place,
Knightsbridge,
SW1X 7RL

www.the-berkeley.co.uk/knightsbridge-bars/blue-bar/

Tags: bar reviews, Best Bars in London, best cocktail bars, best hotel bars, best hotel bars london

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Any bar that not only won the crown of World’s Best Bar in 2012, but defended it successfully in 2013 and 2014, deserves to be on our list. As hotel bars go, The Artesian Bar at The Langham Hotel has exactly what it takes to be one of the best hotel bars in London. The beautiful décor, designed by David Collins, exudes comfort and luxury with lots of lilac leather, white curtains and a breathtaking mirrored pagoda bar.

It’s not just the bar that has won awards, the staff have too, with head barman Alex Kratena leading the way, ably supported by his No.2. Simone Caporale. As you’d expect the cocktails are exceptional. But surprisingly for a bar so firmly anchored in the bosom of 5 star luxury, there’s a real sense of fun too. Highlights of the innovations menu include skulls, pandas and aroma filled balloons.

But if there’s one thing that sets the Langham apart from other some other high end hotels, it’s the exceptional levels of service that leave you feeling pampered and spoilt, but never overwhelmed or intimidated. The Langham? It’s simply lovely.

The Artesian Bar – Best Hotel Bars London
The Langham Hotel 
1C Portland Place
London,
W1B 1JA

www.artesian-bar.co.uk

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Well, it’s got to be on our list hasn’t it? So, here’s to The American Bar – Best Hotel Bars London.

No other bar in London has the fame, the fortune, the fabulous décor, the fantastic cocktails that this one does.

Despite the Savoy’s recent multi-million pound refurbishment program, the American Bar – one of our best hotel bars in London – has retained its art deco style and its unparalleled wow-factor.

It’s not intimate, it’s not discreet, but it really is impressive. It’s got history too… this where back in the 1930s Harry Craddock invented The White Lady cocktail and wrote his definitive tome; The Savoy Cocktail Book. To this day their cocktails are still amongst the best to be had, made expertly with the finest ingredients – as you would expect from the prices. And, fittingly as the bar which grew to fame in the jazz age, you’ll still find a pianist playing classic Jazz here every evening

One of the world’s greatest hotels, one of the world’s greatest bars. What’s not to like? Possibly the fact it is too much of a tick box bar, where tourists and rubberneckers arrive to have just one cocktail before breaking the bank. A destination where queuing is common, albeit in amazing surroundings. A tourist site rather than a refuge. But having said that, it is one of those bars that you really rewards a visit – even if it is just for one night only. If you’re looking for something a little more intimate and less showy we also highly recommend the Beaufort Bar at The Savoy.

The American Bar – Best Hotel Bars London  
The Savoy, 
London
WC2R 0EU

www.fairmont.com/savoy-london/dining/americanbar/

Tags: american bar, bar review, bar reviews, best bars, Best Bars in London, best hotel bar, best hotel bars, cocktail bar

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