The Connaught Bar

Time Out says

Thu Jul 14 2011

Among the villas and mansions in the heart of Mayfair is one of the city’s best hotels – The Connaught is luxury on a different level and its two bars are both unsurprisingly stunning. The Coburg is clubbier and more discreet; The Connaught bar is sleek and stylish, becoming something of a scene on weekend nights. The design by David Collins brings pressed-powder shades and bold flourishes into the elegant Victorian conjoined rooms.

In terms of drinks and service, it’s hard to better, from the greeting and seating to the ultra-smooth waitresses. For the full Connaught experience, order the house martini – a bartender wheels up a beautiful trolley and offers a choice of bespoke bitters to accompany the high-end gins and vodkas, which are stirred and poured at your table. Two drinks won’t give you much change from £45, but bowls of very good nibbles offset it a bit.

Expensive, yes, but even an occasional visit here is a reminder of how good a hotel bar can be when money is no object and standards never waver.