One of my favorite bars and hotels in London! Great ambiance, great crowd, beautiful interior, good people watching place, the BEST drinks in London. The service is amazing, the staff is very friendly and very helpful.
I never knew what is famous in Connaught Bar, only visited because they are number 4 on World's 50 Best Bars 2017. The are popular for their Martini Trolley - where you get the whole trolley right in front of you. You get to smell all of these and pick your preference and the bartender will do a little show right after.
It was quite good, but I left the placeslightly disappointed.
The service is good, pleasant and professional. The decoration is nice and the ambience is quite chic. The cocktail list is good+, extensive, creative and very well executed.
I recommend it, though it wasn't as good as I expected.
Very authentic old style bar situated in a very nice hotel in Mayfair. The cocktails are really special and the service is good; the staff is friendly. I ordered Hidden Park cocktail which turned out to be a great choice.
The cocktails weren't really surprising but were well-presented and nice with the taste. They give you the recipes of the cocktails you ordered along with the bill.
Rosie Alittlelusciousness
+4.5
If you're a fan of top class cocktails, or know someone who is, there's a masterclass this Autumn where you can learn how to make the best cocktails at the bar that's just recently been voted Best Bar in the UK by GQ Magazine, and has also been named as World's Best Hotel Bar - the Connaught Bar, in the stunning Connaught Hotel in Mayfair. Award winning Director of Mixology Agostino Perrone (who's won the prestigious World’s Best Bartender Award at Tales of the Cocktails) is hosting a series of mixology masterclasses at the Connaught Bar, taking place throughout Autumn where you can learn to make the perfect Connaught cocktails. Each date focuses on a different drink, with masterclasses in Champagne, cognac, vodka and gin, and whisky. Full details of all the classes are below.I went along to a little preview of what lies in store, and if you book this you're in a for an absolute treat. You'll be welcomed with delicious canapés - ours were rabbit and ham, salmon and caviar and beetroot on a cheese crisp - which were all as delicious as they were pretty. You'll also have a welcome drink - ours was a Champagne, Aperol, bergamot, orange and ginseng creation and was the perfect balance of bitter, herbal and fruity.
Hands down the best cocktails I've had. Paid a pretty penny to enjoy them but they made me a manhattan I loved (I don't like manhattans) and a whiskey drink I wanted to order ten times more of.
The world of real cocktail bars seems so often to try to make the client feel small or marginalised. Milk & Honey for example is so so trendy that they don't even have their name over the door and as they say on their website 'Access to non-members is by
I visited the Connaught bar last week for some drinks with friends. As you enter the prestigious hotel, the staff are very friendly and escort you to the bar. The bar itself is very dim-lit, however there is lots of seating as it is very busy. Despite it being a Saturday night, we managed to get a table.
Perhaps it was the wrong choice for drinks with friends - the bar itself is rather romantic, so better suited for a date!
However, the service is very attentive and helpful, and the drinks are bought over very quickly. It is a good bar, and I will try to go back again soon!
To start off our anniversary night out, J took me for drinks in the bar at The Connaught. He'd forgotten that we'd actually been there before for a friend's birthday, but as it's located near to Galvin at Windows where we were booked for dinner, and he knows I'm partial to a cocktail or two it was a great choice.
Entering the hotel, you are greeted warmly by both the doorman and the reception who pointed us through the back to the Connaught bar. Dimly lit, with candles flickering on each table, it has a romantic atmosphere (if a bit formal) and was full at 7pm on a Friday, mainly city boys, glam ladies and hotel residents. The service is excellent, with the waitresses going out of the way to make you feel truly special - no sooner as we had taken our seats as complimentary olives and nuts were placed on our table and replaced all the time you're there. The candied nuts were so moreish that I reckon you could actually fill up on those and skip dinner if you were in for a long night. But you don't go for nuts and olives...its all about the cocktails. I excitedly flicked through the menu, but was a little disappointed that there was nothing that jumped out at me - I'm a fan of fruity, sharp cocktails and nothing really fitted the bill. I'm sure they would have made something else for me, but as we were celebrating I decided to go for the pearindipity - pear puree, lime and champagne. J opted for something blokey (can't remember the name) with rum, orange and bourbon. This arrived in an adorable bottle, which when poured into the glass created an aromatic smoke which was sensational. Mine looked pretty enough, but didn't really hit the spot - it was too sweet and didn't have enough of a kick of booze for me. At £17 each (there are some at £19) these are probably the most expensive cocktails I've had in London, and weren't up there with the best I've had. With service charge you're looking at an eye-watering £40 for a couple of drinks, but it is a lovely place for a special occasion for a drink before dinner.
Love this place, particularly the front bar as you enter on the right. Impeccable service, good wine, arm chairs and sophisticated, quiet crowd. Romantic vibe too.
Connaught Bar is a two time 50 Best Bar winner, and it really shows. Their drinks, service, and atmosphere are exceptional. Starting from when your arrival, someone offers to take your bags and coat. A bathroom attendant is there to return them at your leisure. If tables are full you can stand at the bar. Cocktails taste divine, with their masterpiece selection being the stand outs. I had the Icebreaker, Mulata Daisy, and Your Point of View and can't say anything critical. However, their classic cocktails are just a touch of balance. The French 75 was champagne forward and the Sazerac with cognac was a touch sweet. They're still amazing, but at this level every drop matters. Classic cocktails run you over £20 as well so don't think you're saving money by ordering something more basic. Stick to their menu for the best possible experience because you're paying the same either way. It's a phenomenal bar.
Such fun place. I am a big fan. The atmosphere is great, service is wonderful and the drinks are phenomenal. It’s a bit expensive and slow but worth every bit of wait and money. Highly recommend the martini- not only does it taste good but also a fun experience
I FINALLY got to experience the amazing cocktails and ambience at the Connaught Bar and it did NOT disappoint. 🍸
We were greeted by the friendly host and were seated immediately in a cozy corner. Let me just say the service here is impeccable. We were served with complimentary olives and biscuits along with a nice glass of pineapple juice.
I caught wind of this bar thanks to an Instagram post from one of my favorite photographers. Apparently he shoots here from time to time. (Alan Schaller). There's even a cocktail inspired by his work called the Eclipse. It was DELICIOUS.
In addition, there are some lovely mocktail options which are always a plus.
Pro-tip: We came here around opening time at 4PM on a Saturday and there was already a mini queue. I recommend arriving around this time if you want to get seated right away. It filled up quickly afterwards.
SHOUT-OUT to Giorgio for the warm welcome!
#41 World’s best bar (2023)
(Look up World’s 50 Best Bars Ranking - I’m traveling around the world to try them btw)
Atmosphere 10/10
Incredibly elegant and classy bar, inside the Connaught hotel. No strict dress code, but you will feel underdressed in smart casual! Amazing Ambiente
Service 10/10
Everyone gets appropriate attention and a welcome drinks + snacks. Staff is dappered up and knowledgeable.
Drinks 9/10
Known for the Dry Martini and Icebreaker. Definitely try the custom Dry Martini - a bartender will come over with a portable cart and mix it live in front of you. And before mixing you will have to select one out of five bitters, to make it truly unique customized experience! Drinks taste was very good! Also the Icebreaker highly recommended.
Price 2/10
Despite the unique experience, £30 for a drink on average is just way too much.
Overall, I think the bar fully deserves to be in Top50 in the world!
The Connaught Bar boasts an exceptional cocktail menu curated by talented mixologists. Each drink is a work of art, meticulously crafted with attention to detail and a perfect balance of flavors. The bartenders' expertise and passion shine through in every sip, making for a truly unforgettable drinking experience. Whether you're a fan of classic cocktails or adventurous concoctions, the Connaught Bar has something to satisfy every palate.
While my overall impression of the Connaught Bar was overwhelmingly positive, there was one disappointing aspect of the evening—the rudeness of the bouncer at the entrance. Unfortunately, his demeanor left a sour note on an otherwise exceptional experience. It is disheartening when the first interaction of the night is marred by a lack of courtesy and professionalism. I hope the management takes note of this issue and ensures that every guest is greeted with warmth and respect.
The Connaught Bar's martinis are simply divine. From the perfectly chilled glasses to the premium selection of spirits, every element is carefully chosen to create a martini that is second to none. The bartenders' expertise shines as they effortlessly mix and stir, creating a drink that is both smooth and potent. If you're a fan of martinis, the Connaught Bar is an absolute must-visit, as their rendition will undoubtedly leave you craving for more.
It is important to be aware of the steep prices associated with this level of luxury. While the bouncer's rudeness was regrettable, it did not overshadow the overall excellence of the establishment.
Great service. Maybe I didn’t order the signatures? The No11 is popular but heavy for me - in the taste of vodka. And I got dizzy after the drink. Oh btw the price for single cocktail is 24-28 £
Not an easy place to find. Cocktails were great. Went in Monday afternoon and by 6pm are almost full!
Excellent service, upscale comfy bar atmosphere. Wide selection of unusual cocktails. Very wide selection of whiskies (you have to ask for a the whiskey menu). They serve bar food but we didn’t try any. They give you pitted olives and potato chips along with your drinks. I think the closest comparison to this bar is the King Cole bar in New York. This bar doesnt have as ornate a bar as King Cole but in terms of the level of service and the quality I think that is the best comparison.
The bar boasts an impressive overall ambiance, with exceptional cocktails and an equally remarkable wine list. However, there is a notable issue concerning the wine service, bordering on the critical.
When I ordered a glass of Salon Blanc de Blanc 2012 Champagne, priced at 190 GBP per glass, I was initially offered a flute glass for the serving. To any connoisseur, it’s evident that savoring such a prestigious Champagne in a standard flute is not only inappropriate but also diminishes the experience. Frankly, I found this quite disrespectful and was on the verge of canceling my order.
Upon requesting a proper, larger wine glass, they complied, yet their initial suggestion was utterly unsuitable. It's surprising and disappointing that in a bar of such caliber, the staff lacks training in offering appropriate glassware for various wines. Ideally, in such esteemed establishments, it should be the staff enlightening customers about the nuances of proper glassware, not the other way around.
While I recognize that the bar primarily focuses on cocktails, the presence of a premium and well-curated wine list warrants a corresponding level of wine service excellence.
An absolute experience and one of the highlights of our London visit! Attentive and kind service, great ambiance and the best gin martinis we've ever had. Highly recommend trying their signature gin. We visited on a weeknight and it was fairly busy, but there were always a couple tables open and no line. I'm sure it gets very busy on the weekends!
Alex “CosmicLDN” Castillo
+5
An exceptional experience. Upscale ambience and theatricality. Excellent cocktails. Probably the best Bloody Mary I've ever had. Only detractor was the pace of the service overall, but it was a very busy Saturday night so forgivable.
Wow what a place. I have been there before and it's a great as always. Cocktails are a blend science and art. So good. If you're not sure how a cocktail should taste, come here and try it. Then you'll know.
I didn't score the food as we didn't order any. However if it's as good as the complimentary bar snacks then it'll be great. Go here, it's not the cheapest but you get more than what you pay for
The drinks are very good. They take classics and add their twist to them. Highly recommend the signature martini (gin) and the good fellas (whiskey)
Updated review: After continuing to frequent this bar, as well as many of the other bars ranked on the Top 50 list, Connaught is unequivocally my favorite bar in the world. It’s difficult, if not impossible, to find a team so dedicated to their craft and for making your experience special.
Former review: Drinks are crafted superbly, and the staff are knowledgeable, effective, and friendly.
The best bar in the world holds up to its reputation, incredible service, really kind as professional service and bartenders. Shocking cocktails, starting from presentation, to taste. Definitely will visit next time in London. It’a a must for cocktail lovers.
Good atmosphere🍸 and very courteous service🙌🏻 different rooms have different atmosphere, but you can’t really go wrong either way😃
We had 4 cocktails, all balanced to perfection. The service was amazing, when my spouse went to powder her nose, the waiter took her drink to the freezer in the meantime, so the ice won't dilute the drink too much.
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