Mayfair is home to upscale Michelin-starred restaurants, stately Georgian townhouses, world class 5-star hotels, and some of the coolest bars in London. London-based drinks expert and travel writer Tyler Zielinski shares 4 of the coolest bars in Mayfair that marry exquisite design with refined tipples.
The Painter’s Room
Newly opened in September 2021, The Painter’s Room is the first bar to open at the iconic Claridge’s hotel since 1929. The bar’s aesthetic pays tribute to the hotel’s Art Deco design heritage with pale pink onyx featuring prominently, and artistic touches teeming throughout the space. The cocktails are inspired by the culture, art and design of Europe with the menu divided into four chapters: Light, Interpretations, Complex and Clean. It’s a must-visit and one to watch.
Connaught Bar
The Connaught Bar, led by director of mixology Agostino Perrone was crowned as the World’s Best Bar by the prestigious World’s 50 Best Bars association in 2020. The bar’s current menu dubbed “Formae” pays homage to the shapes of the bar itself, and features a range of exquisite serves; but it’s the bar’s iconic tableside Martini service that you can’t miss. As far as London cocktailing experiences go, the Connaught Martini is the pinnacle.
The Glade (Located at Sketch London)
The Glade is trendy, Instagrammable, and borderline magical. The flamboyant enchanted forest ambiance is a spectacle in and of itself, but don’t let the design distract you from the tasty cocktails featured on the menu. The Manhattan-esque Globetrotter #2 is a spirituous blend of Macallan 12, dark rum, PX sherry, falernum, and passionfruit served short on ice. The yuzu and vodka-laced Green Sun is also a delightful low-ABV option if refreshing is more your style.
Dandy Bar
Dandy is the cornerstone theme and design language of The Mayfair Townhouse, and the Dandy Bar is the boutique hotel’s crown jewel. The lounge-style bar offers a range of approachable bites, fine wines and bespoke cocktails. The Cloud Nine Fizz—a balanced mix of almond oil-washed gin, jasmine, yuzu, sake, and Champagne—is the perfect way to start the evening. The expert mixologists will guide you from there.
