Connaught Bar

The Connaught Bar is the cocktail bar of The Connaught hotel in Mayfair, and it is one of the most celebrated bars in the world. It was named the best bar in The World's 50 Best Bars in 2020 and 2021, and it has featured near the top of that list for many years. Designed by the late David Collins, the room combines Art Deco influences with a modern sense of luxury, and its low lighting and well-spaced tables create an elegant, discreet atmosphere.

The bar is best known for its martini trolley. A bartender wheels it to your table and mixes a martini to your taste, letting you choose the gin or vodka and one of a range of house bitters and aromatics, then pours it from a height with a little theatre. Beyond the martini, the menu offers a seasonal list of creative cocktails, a strong selection of spirits and Champagne, and small plates and snacks to accompany drinks. Service is polished and attentive, with staff happy to recommend drinks based on your preferences.

The Connaught Bar suits couples, cocktail enthusiasts, special celebrations and anyone wanting a classic luxury hotel bar experience in London. It is a place to linger over one or two carefully made drinks rather than a venue for a lively night out. The bar is open to non-residents as well as hotel guests, and the clientele is a mix of locals, visitors and people in the drinks industry.

Demand is high, so expect a wait at busy times, especially on Friday and Saturday evenings. Arriving early in the evening gives the best chance of a table without a long queue, and bookings can be made through the official website. Smart dress is appropriate, in keeping with the hotel. Prices reflect the setting, so this is more of a treat than an everyday bar.

The Connaught is on Carlos Place in Mayfair, near Mount Street and Grosvenor Square. Bond Street station, served by the Elizabeth line and the Central and Jubilee lines, and Green Park station are each around ten minutes' walk away. The boutiques of Mount Street, the galleries of Mayfair and Hyde Park are all close, and the hotel's other bar and restaurants offer options for dinner before or after.