American Bar

While a music-school dropout tinkled a Claydermanian take on ‘Scarborough Fair’, unsuccessful corruptions of classic recipes (such as a modern manhattan featuring Maker’s Mark and Kahlua garnished with a blackberry) were delivered with a swagger by a waiter whose interest in fetching water evaporated when we specified ‘tap’. But enough about the main lounge at the Connaught; instead, wander to the end of the lobby, turn left, then right and enter the blissful little American Bar, an olde worlde country-house confection of wood panelling, patterned seating and stuffed animals. Still, we’re not complaining, at least not while the service and the ambience remain this gracefully old-fashioned. Stick to the standards (trad martinis and manhattans) and you won’t regret it. The bar was closed for a revamp at time of writing; expect it to have reopened by autumn 2007.

Time Out Bars, Pubs & Clubs Guide 2008

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Dress code: smart casual

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