Bars & Pubs

The Long Bar's early noughties glory days (the clientele is more civilian than celebrity in 2008) may be a faded memory, but there's still easy glamour for the taking. The long bar in question is a thin onyx affair, though nabbing one of the eyeball-backed stools is an unlikely prospect. A better bet is the lovely courtyard, where table service, candlelight and watery features make a much nicer setting for cocktails. And, really, it would be wrong to order anything else, with a list of enticing flutes (£14), long drinks (£11) and martinis (£12) to choose from: try a Santa Rosa (Stoli raspberry, crème de framboise and pêche, fresh raspberries and Laurent Perrier) or a Vesuvio martini (Ketel One Citron, lychee liqueur, lemongrass cordial and a dab of fresh chilli). High-end spirits include Chivas Regal and Sauza Hacienda (£8), and the wine selection is kept short. Bar snacks are priced high (BLT for £14, burger for £16), though this is unlikely to be a problem for most of the punters.

Time Out Bars, Pubs & Clubs Guide 2008/9