The American Bar: One of a Kind

The American Bar is the oldest cocktail bar in London, one of the most renowned in the entire world, and has hosted some of the most famous bartenders to ever pick up a cocktail shaker. Lofty headlines indeed, so what is it that makes London’s most iconic bar just that?

Well, it doesn’t do any harm to be at the most famous hotel in London, The Savoy. But there’s a lot more to the American Bar than that. It first opened in the 1890s, becoming one of the first establishments to embrace American-style cocktails to not just Britain, but Europe. The kind of places offering these drinks in this style became known as ‘American Bars’, and The American Bar is fully deserving of being the definitive one.

It’s difficult for all of that history not to hit guests when they first step foot into the grand piano shaped room, a picture of elegance. Some of the most legendary bartenders have ruled the roost here. Frank Wells in 1893, Harry Craddock and his Savoy Cocktail Book in the 1930s, Joe Gilmore in the swinging 60s, Peter Dorelli from a staggering 1985 to 2003, right up to Shannon Tebay at the helm today, not to mention the countless iconic faces from Winston Churchill to Ernest Hemingway that have been served here.

Even after the £220m hotel facelift, The American Bar remains pretty much untouched. The timelessly warm and charming art deco décor greets drinkers, with bright gold and striking blue chairs sitting beautifully against cream ochre walls. The focal point is the renowned piano player, whose American jazz fills the room creating an unforgettable atmosphere, and there’s even the Savoy Songbook to match a cocktail to each song.

With cocktails upwards of £20 and some many times more, this isn’t a regular drinks den for most of us, but as a plush pilgrimage, there’s not much better. Whether the stunning cocktails, the beautiful piano, over a century of conversation or the bartenders and guests of past and present, it is these echoes of a bygone era that make The American Bar so special, except when you’re sat on those gold seats, it feels very much in the moment.

Unless you’re lucky enough to be staying at The Savoy, The American Bar has a walk-in policy but if you can visit their website here.

Bandra Bhai

London has an abundance of speakeasies. Yes there are a lot of great ones, but most seem to follow a similar style. If you are looking for a great speakeasy with a twist, then head to Fitzrovia - Bandra Bhai is the place to visit. This speakeasy is located beneath its sister restaurant - Pahli Hill. If you are able to get there early, it will be nice and quiet, but it definitely livens up later in the evening.

The bar is a tribute to the Indian smuggler’s dens in the 1970s, and has beautiful decor that fits the theme to a T. In the past these dens were often fronts, claiming to be photography studios or even sexologists. There are even some original signs as you come down the stairs for a sexologist clinic - all adding to the authenticity. 

The cocktail menu has just been updated and does not disappoint. Drinks are named simply after the main ingredient (such as date, mango, or pistachio) and are stunning interpretations of classic sips. One of our favourites was the date cocktail, mixing whiskey and dates and served almost theatrically covered with smoke. This drink is smooth and savoury - a perfect combo in our eyes.

A crowd (and bartender) favourite is the Mango. The drink is a blend of Desi Daru Mango vodka, lime, mango and yoghurt. Don’t stress, you won’t be given a drink with clumps of yoghurt. The yoghurt is clarified so that the liquid used in the cocktail is clear and creamy. This drink is delightful, the sweetness balanced by the creaminess. It almost reminds us of a scoop of mango sorbet. It is simply that good.

If you are peckish, then there are loads of traditional Indian snacks to choose from. The small plates are very generous, and one could easily fill up on them quickly. If you are not in the mood for a cocktail, then there is also an extensive wine list, as well as spirits to choose from.

Bandra Bhai is great for a date night, or celebratory drinks

Ambience: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Value:⭐⭐⭐⭐
Range:⭐⭐⭐⭐
Service: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Overall: 8/10

Address: 79-81 Mortimer St, London W1W 7SJ

Is it Paris? Is it New Orleans? No, it’s Louie London

The more you delve into Louie London, the more the expectation dials are ramped up, and frankly, the more it lives up to them.

Sitting among the Mousetrap and The Ivy among others, the Covent Garden site is a joint venture between Guillaume Glipa and Laurent de Gourcuff’s famed French restaurant group Paris Society. Sprawling foliage contrasts art-deco furnishings and glitter in a way that, if done badly, could result in travesty (if that’s not too strong a word). Instead, it’s pure alchemy.

The plan from the start was to evoke this varied global feel. More specifically, a culinary and décor blend of Paris, London, and New Orleans. As Louie puts it themselves, ‘American heart, a French palate, and a New Orleans soul’. Working from the beautiful base that is an already impressive Georgian town house, every floor is distinct and carefully curated. Topping the building is the magical Alligator Bar, an open lounge and 80-seat bar hosting live jazz piano and DJ sets that have become extremely sought after events, with guests spilling out onto the terrace gazing over the flickering lights of London. Trademark New Orleans cocktails, your Sazerac for example, are served here. Madame Laveau, Rockefeller Martini and Alligator Boogaloo are among the other eclectic options, with a sommelier on hand if you’d rather head wine-wards.

This gastronomic gem serves up incredible Atlantic-straddling dishes with primarily French fayre and Louisiana twists such as crab cake platters with squid ink tarma sauce, fresh oysters, French curried monkfish with port wine jus, and the signature pecan tart, reimagined with spice, white chocolate ganache and caramel. Guests can graze on little plates or indulge in the mains section and grill, being seated across the sophisticated ground and first floors.

It will come as no surprise that a night at Louie London is at lavish expense, but if you leave as chuffed as the portly alligator on the logo, and you will, then you’ll have no regrets.

Words by Aidy Smith

The M Restaurant Canary Wharf

With two restaurants in Threadneedle Street and Victoria Street, M Canary Wharf is the newest gastro playground of the mysteriously named, ‘M’. The jewel in the crown of the waterside Newfoundland Quay tower, this particular space is Provençal-inspired and includes private dining rooms, an exclusive members club and a cocktail bar.

Though it is impeccably designed, the distinct point of interest comes from the sourcing of its ingredients. Vegans are growing in numbers, and many of us will have at least explored the idea or at the very least, the impact of the food we eat and where it comes from.

M Restaurant is for those who love meat too much to experiment with Veganism or Vegetarianism, but still want to eat sustainably. You’ve heard of Craft Beer, but this is Craft Beef, spotlighting regenerative farming and providing carbon-neutral British beef to diners. Partnering with The Ethical Butcher and farmer Neil Harley, M delivers a ‘conscious dining’ experience that uses ethically sourced ingredients for more of a ‘Regenuary’ than ‘Veganuary’.

Neil Harley was the first ever farmer to have a certified regenerative farm, and the Ethical Butcher is a leading light in the craft meat revolution world using the practices of farmers like Neil.  These are farms that don’t just produce but look to actively improve the land by using their animals to restore nutrition to the soil, rebuild ecosystems and if done effectively, more carbon can be locked away than the animals’ release themselves.

To promote this food industry frontier, M is offering a set lunch in February priced at £25 for two courses, and £30 for three, featuring rum steak as the main event using cattle that roam for up to 30 months which is almost twice the lifespan of standard UK cattle. They’re also 100% pasture fed which benefits biodiversity and plant growth. The Provençal specials include burrata de grasse with confit tomatoes, tomato gel, lavender, and perfume of Provence, as well as the intriguing duck & watermelon.

This style of regenerative agriculture is ideal for meat eaters that wish to continue whilst making an increased effort to eat more sustainable, healthier, and tastier meat. Although steak and particularly wagyu cuts take the limelight, sustainable efforts can be found across the wider menu. M works with Crate to Plate to produce vegetables that use nutrient-rich soil and much less water. Lastly and most surprisingly considering it’s London, the chefs can even collect their fresh produce on foot because Crate to Plate are only around the corner.

If you want to hear more about the work M Canary Wharf is doing, or delve into their mouth-watering menu visit their website here.

Words by Aidy Smith

LPM Restaurant and Bar

LPM is already notorious for its lovely French and Mediterranean cuisine. Now with their new cocktail menu inspired by Jean Cocteau, there is even more reason to book a table at this iconic spot. 

The cocktail menu is beautifully presented in a red cover and tells the story of the French poet. There are four “chapters” in this story,  each exhibiting a  different style of cocktail to choose from - mainly aperitifs, fruity cocktails, savoury cocktails, and dessert drinks. Each drink also has a story to it, and one could sit in silence and read this menu for their entire stay at LPM! 

Our eyes were immediately drawn to the Lettre à Coco. This cocktail is an homage to Jean’s friendship with the legendary Coco Chanel, using the classic Chanel No. 5 as inspiration. The delicate Champagne based cocktail also uses jasmine, bergamot and rose to add some beautiful floral notes. The presentation is also exquisite, the crystal coupe glass being delivered with a love letter sprayed with Chanel No. 5 to make you feel like Chanel herself.

For dessert, the Hommage cocktail works a treat - with cognac and cherry brandy. The cocktail is garnished with a gold dusted cherry for the perfect display. 

As you can see, the cocktail menu is truly a masterpiece, and combined with lovely food and spectacular service, there is no reason to put off visiting LPM. The staff are warm and welcoming, and the barmen know the cocktail menu inside-and-out and are able to give you the perfect recommendation based on your food choice and your usual go-to drink. 

Life is too short for mediocre cocktails. Do yourself and your tastebuds a favour and go give this experience a try.

LPM is great for a special occasion with someone special.

Ambience: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Value:⭐⭐⭐⭐
Range:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Service: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Overall: 10/10

Address: 53-54 Brook's Mews, London W1K 4EG

Viajante 87

Listen to us when we tell you: Go try Viajante 87 as soon as you can. This newly opened experimental bar is by Los Mochis and the agave-based drinks menu is crafted with a zero waste approach. ‘Waste’ from Los Mochis restaurants is used as the inspiration for each cocktail and is used to infuse the tequila or mezcal, added to the cocktail itself, or to create a garnish. The bar gives the impression of a speakeasy, located in the basement of 87 Notting Hill Gate. The decor is elegant and dark, making each guest feel like a VIP as they sip on their drink and nibble on the bar snacks. 

While you can get overwhelmed by the menu, the bartenders and staff are all incredibly knowledgeable and will manage to find the perfect drink for you. Each cocktail is based on a classic cocktail, just with added twists and the Viajante flair. Every drink has a unique palette and presentation, however we would recommend the Smoked Earth. The name does describe the flavours perfectly: a savoury cocktail with beautiful smokiness. If you are searching for something sweeter, you could try the Lana in Tulum, with a lovely freeze-dried strawberry garnish adding that extra zing. 

Although the kitchen is not fully renovated yet, we did get a small taste of what is going to be on offer such as the guacamole with homemade tortilla chips, truffle guacamole on crispy rice, and baked crab taco-maki. We can confirm- the food tastes even better than it sounds.  

Viajante 87 is great for one on one drinks, whether it is for a special occasion or even just a treat-yourself-moment.

Ambience: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Value:⭐⭐⭐⭐

Range:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Service: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Overall: 10/10

Address: Basement, 87 Notting Hill Gate, London, W11 3JZ

IT London

Words by Hannah van Houweninge

Last week we had the absolute privilege of trying out the new cocktail menu at IT London. The bar is perfectly situated in Mayfair, and a five minute walk from Green Park Station. The setting itself is beautiful, with the round bar being in the centre of the restaurant. The in-house DJ plays upbeat music creating a social vibe without disrupting your conversation.

Now onto the most important part: the drinks. The new cocktail menu is expertly curated by Mattia Lufrano who combines classic cocktails that everyone knows and loves with Mediterranean twists. Mattia’s recommendation would have to be the Milk and Cereals cocktail. This cocktail reminds him of his breakfast of choice when he was young- the star of the show being… Cheerios. Don’t let the cereal-cocktail put you off. This beautifully made drink includes Wisemen Kentucky Whiskey, hazelnut liqueur and caramel tea to make a lovely smooth drink experience. The cocktails range from £18-26. The steeper price is 100% validated by the incredible attention to detail and stunning craftsmanship. Even the ice cubes are engraved with IT’s logo. 

If you still can’t wrap your head around the cereal-concoction, perhaps try the Chocolate and Coconut Negroni. This lovely twist on my favourite cocktail order has coconut infused Whitley Neill Gin and dark chocolate liqueur. Who wouldn’t love this?

IT London is great for a special night out such as an anniversary or birthday drinks.

Ambience: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Value:⭐⭐⭐⭐

Range:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Overall: 9/10

Address: 28-29, Dover St, Mayfair, London W1S 4LX

Christina’s Shoreditch

In the heart of Shoreditch is Christina’s; a luxurious bar on the ground floor of the Mondrian Hotel and with their new cocktail menu, it should be at the top of your “to visit” list!

The bar itself is beautifully decorated and on opening the menu, it’s sure to be love at first sight. The new selection of drinks has been curated by the head bartender, Kevin Price Houghton, and focuses on using smaller producers, most of which are UK based. Kevin has also worked with less traditional ingredients such as alexander seed and rosehip. His goal was to make these unusual ingredients more ‘relatable’ by using them in classic cocktails.

The perfect example of this is the Hogweed Martini; a beautifully smooth cocktail, with the added twist of the hogweed, as well as a pickled radish garnish. If you are in the mood for something slightly sweeter though, the Rosehip Cosmo is also a great choice; especially as it has a tangier fruitiness compared to the ‘normal’ cosmo we are all used to. The cocktails range from £13-£15, so they’re slightly on the pricier side, but worth every penny for their flair and character.

The menu also has a great selection of mocktails (£10 each) for anyone who wants to enjoy something delicious without the alcohol buzz. If you’re in the mood for something warmer though, they offer a large array of coffees, lattes, and teas. The tea company used, Nemi teas is also based locally in London. 

Once drinks are ordered, you might be feeling a bit peckish and Christina’s has various artisanal toasted sandwiches and nibbles to choose from. Prices range from £4-£10 and for any fellow vegetarians out there, the Korean Fried Cauliflower (KFC) is mouth-wateringly delicious!

The bar is calmer during the day and can be used for working lunches if you need to get out of your WFH office set-up. Then from around 6pm onwards, it starts filling up, and the music picks up the pace. Currently, on Thursdays and Fridays, there is also a DJ that starts his/her set at 8:30 pm. What more could you ask for in a bar? It covers all bases.

Christina’s is ideal for: Girl’s night, anniversaries, dates and after work drinks.

Ambience: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Value:  ⭐⭐⭐
Range:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Overall: 9/10

Words by Hannah van Houweninge