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In Mayfair you can close your eyes, spin and point, and you’re pretty much guaranteed to land upon a culinary gem. The area has an abundance of restaurants and more Michelin stars than you can shake a stick at (even if it’s all a bit spenny). And that’s just the food.
When it comes to drinks, W1 is chock-a-block with fancy hotel bars, cocktail spots and a place to grab a glass of juicy red. And soon there’ll be a new haunt to add to the list.
Opening in April, Brutes of Mayfair is positioning itself as the area’s new neighbourhood bar, and offers everything the swanky local clientele could ever want.
The bar is focused on one thing in particular: making a stellar martini. Served dry, wet, dirty or ‘brutal’, if you’re new to the complex world of martini-making then Brutes’ self-described 'martini shop' will help you out.
Included are printed cards and a barometer which allow you to choose the base spirit and style of your martini, and even offer guidance based on the weather. It’s fair to say the garnishes are pretty out-there, with blue cheese olives, pickled onion monster munch, gildas and chicken scratchings all making the list.
Other drinks include the ‘Seventh Stall’, made with wasabi leaf vodka, yellow tomato, Brutes hot sauce and mustard seed caviar. British beers will be available as well as a wine and champagne list.
As for snacks, well, bougie is pretty much the only word to describe them. Think giant potato crisps topped with sour cream, chives and N25 Beluga caviar. This is Mayfair, after all.
Aesthetically, Brutes draws inspo from old school tailor shops and British sports clubs. The team behind the bar will be in full 1960s-inspired get-up, complete with custom white bartender jackets designed by a local Saville Row tailor. With just 12 seats round the bar and a small lounge area decked in Persian rugs, it could be tough to grab a seat on a thirsty Thursday after work.
Located on Bruton Place (now the name makes sense), Brutes of Mayfair is an independent venture from friends James Stevenson and Guy Mazuch, who met when they were both working for JKS Restaurants. They’re planning to host limited edition martini collabs with chefs and restaurants once the bar is up and running. An exact opening date is yet to be announced.
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Did you see that three Michelin starred Indian food is coming to London with a new Mayfair restaurant?
Plus, it’s official: the ‘world’s coldest martini’ is now served at a London bar.
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