Mayfair, the epitome of London’s luxury, is not just home to high-end boutiques and historic streets but also to some of the finest cocktail bars in the city. Whether you’re a cocktail lover or seeking the perfect ambiance for a night out, Mayfair offers an array of venues that blend sophistication with creativity. Here are some of the best cocktail bars in Mayfair, both in hotels and stand-alone bars!
(NB: listed in alphabetical order)
American Bar at the Stafford
What makes the American Bar so special is its old-world charm and its tongue in cheek decor: the whole bar is decorated from floor to ceiling with model airplanes, photographs, university baseball caps, football helmets and all sorts of US memorabilia. Don’t be fooled though – Benoit Provost and his team take their craft very seriously and there is nothing casual about his attention to detail – every cocktail is a masterpiece. Don’t miss White Mouse, their iconic cocktail named for their resident spy, Nancy Wake, and is a sexy blend of Saffron Gin, Star Anise, Champagne and more!
Recipe here: How to Make the White Mouse
Bar Below Hide
Bar Below, located beneath the acclaimed restaurant Hide in London, is an intimate and sophisticated cocktail bar offering a luxurious, subterranean retreat. The bar is known for its innovative cocktails that feature high-quality, seasonal ingredients, often reflecting the culinary creativity of the restaurant above, whose chef is the famous Ollie Dabbous!
Read More About London’s Best Hotel Bars!
Connaught Bar
What can you say about the Connaught Bar that has not been said already? Cocktails, interiors, martini trolley, Ago Perrone – tick, tick, tick, tick. Every award has been won, every honor has been received, every prize has been collected. Still, no matter how much you’ve read about the stature of the Connaught Bar, you can never fully know it until you’ve experienced it yourself. Whether it’s your first time or your fiftieth, everyone at the Connaught Bar makes you feel as if you are one of the family. If this is your first time, you kind of have to order their Classic Martini, it’s a rite of passage.
The Donovan Bar
With Il Maestro Salvatore Calabrese at the helm, the Donovan Bar was sure to be on this list! Located within Brown’s Hotel in London, the Donovan Bar pays homage to the legendary photographer Terence Donovan. Its chic, monochrome design is adorned with Donovan’s iconic black-and-white portraits! Known for its expertly crafted cocktails, including a menu curated by renowned bartender Calabrese, Donovan Bar is a great addition to Mayfair.
Read More About London’s Best Hotel Bars!
Dukes Bar
What can I say about Alessandro Palazzi that hasn’t been said already? For those who don’t know, Dukes Bar is the haven for all things martini, thanks to Ian Fleming making it his watering hole. Don’t think the bar is a one-trick pony! Every cocktail is made with the attention and respect it deserves. Still, if you order a martini, their super glam trolley arrives before you to conjure up the celebrated combination of gin (or vodka) and vermouth! Dukes Martini, but remember you are only allowed to have two, so sip them slowly.
Fumoir Bar
The Fumoir Bar in the famous Claridge’s Hotel is a wonder of Art Deco design! It exudes timeless elegance and sophistication. The bar offers an extensive selection of fine wines, rare spirits, and expertly crafted cocktails. It would be tough to find a bar that is more glamorous in the heart of Mayfair. Think Bogie and Bacall and you have the atmosphere down pat!
Kwānt
Kwānt is the stylish cocktail bar created by the world-renowned bartender Erik Lorincz. The bar exudes a warm, tropical vibe with its lush greenery, rattan furniture, and elegant decor, offering a unique contrast to the bustling city outside. Known for its meticulously crafted cocktails and exceptional hospitality, Kwānt has quickly become a favorite among cocktail connoisseurs seeking the best cocktails London has to offer.
Mr. Fogg’s Residence
Mr. Fogg’s Residence is a whimsical and eclectic bar designed to resemble the home of the fictional adventurer Phileas Fogg from Around the World in 80 Days. The bar is adorned with quirky travel memorabilia, antique furnishings, and exotic curiosities, creating a charming Victorian-era atmosphere. Known for its inventive cocktails and theatrical presentations, Mr. Fogg’s Residence offers really fun drinking experience that transports guests to another time and place!
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