London's Top 20 Hotel Bars

Put on your poshest frock/suit and get sozzled in style with a brace of indulgent cocktails at the swishest drinking holes in town.

1. Mandarin Bar
Decked out with leather armchairs and silk-lined walls, this sleekly modern bar is ideal for cigar aficionados – there are 45 varieties to choose from in the separate smoking room. Otherwise, just sink into a leather armchair with a Mai Tai (£11) and enjoy the live jazz.
Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, 66 Knightsbridge, SW1 (020 7201 3724) Knightsbridge tube.

2. Aquasia
Overlooking the boats moored in Chelsea Harbour and with a heated outdoor terrace for drinking alfresco, Aquasia has a serene Riviera feel. Sip a champagne cocktail (£9) and enjoy a little west London luxury.
Conrad London, Chelsea Harbour, SW10 (020 7300 8443) Fulham Broadway tube. Feature continues

3. Aurora Bar Complete with award-winning ‘mixologists’, live jazz pianists and ‘Victorian with a modern twist’ decor, Aurora harks back to the classic hotel bars of the 1920s. The hangout of choice for City boys and girls, its cocktails cost £8.50, its champagne cocktails £10.50 and beer £4.
Great Eastern Hotel, Liverpool St, EC2 (020 7618 7000) Liverpool St tube/rail.

4. Courthouse Hotel Bar
The old Great Marlborough Street magistrates court (which has previously hosted Mick Jagger and Oscar Wilde) has private tables inside the original prison cells (the urinals are ice-buckets) and iron bars between the lounge and the bar.
Courthouse Hotel Kempinski, 19-21 Great Marlborough St, W1 (020 7297 5555) Oxford Circus tube.

5. Duke's Hotel Bar
Famous for its impeccable ‘classic’ drinks (a delightfully dry and potent Martini), professional bar staff, elegant decor and private setting, this is the place for an intimate date, or if you’re famous, to hide from the paparazzi.
Duke’s Hotel, 35 St James’s Place, SW1 (020 7491 4840) Green Park tube.

6. Bonds
Cocktails come first at Bonds. Alongside the classics, there are original concoctions (the ‘Saporito’ is vanilla vodka and mango ) and a magnificent wine list. Cocktails £7-£11.50.
Threadneedles, 5 Threadneedle St, EC4 (020 7657 8088) Monument tube.

7. Claridge's
This stylish den of Mayfair decadence draws in the wealthy hotel guests – so dress up. The bourbon-laced Kentucky Highroller is recommended.
Claridge’s, 49 Brook St, W1 (020 7629 8860) Bond St tube.

8. Lobby Bar
A beautiful, high-ceilinged room with vast windows and original sculptures. Warmed, spiced nuts are on the bar, Martinis come in every flavour imaginable (cocktails £8.85-£10.15) and 22 varieties of vodka are on offer.
One Aldwych, 1 Aldwych, WC2 (020 7300 1070) Covent Garden tube or Charing Cross tube/rail.

9. Long Bar
Love or hate the decor, this legendary 80-foot bar is undeniably ostentatious, and has prices to match (£10.50-£13 a pop). The cocktail menu changes seasonally and uses extraordinary ingredients (fairly traded chocolate, Norfolk lavender, flowers and organic fruit).
The Sanderson, 50 Berners St, W1 (020 7300 1496) Oxford Circus tube.

10. American Bar
This place has history (the world-famous White Lady cocktail was invented here), and in deference visitors should dress smartly and wait to be seated. Order a Martini (£11.50, made with Ketel One, Greygoose or Plymouth) and bag a table overlooking the Thames.
The Savoy, Strand, WC2 (020 7836 4343) Embankment tube or Charing Cross tube/rail.