Another business meeting and the service again was top notch. Excellent drinks and good snacks. Always ask for the recommendations and you won't go wrong.
A silent bar can be quite hard to find in the bustle of Central. Polo fits the ticket perfectly if thats what you're after. The cocktail list is varied and consistently delicious, although at standard Mayfair price points. (Though certainly not unreasonable compared to a lot of it's competitors.)
Perfectly place for a nightcap or to unwind after a long day.
A couple of weeks ago we had the incredible opportunity to enjoy an afternoon of indulgence, tasting refined cocktails and canapes at London’s swanky Polo Bar at the Westbury Hotel. Set in the centre of Mayfair, London’s most exclusive fashion and shopping districts, you will find the luxurious and ultra-chic Polo Bar – known for its elegant interior, pleasant bar staff and a list of delicious cocktails that bring a little surprise with every sip.
Spending an evening eating and drinking in a top class bar is, I suspect, a fashion that is long overdue a revival. Especially when venues like the Polo Bar at the Westbury Hotel, Mayfair offers excellent food in portion sizes which don’t lead to a diet crisis and at prices which make luxury affordable. But then, I’m the sort of person who would rather have one square of Amadei than a whole bar of Dairy Milk. I’ve been to the Polo Bar before and enjoyed a cocktail before dinner, but never tried the bar food. That’s something I’m very pleased to have rectified, thanks to an invitation to review from the Hotel.
The Polo Bar at the Westbury Hotel has hit upon an amazing idea. When you order a cocktail, you get two glasses. One full-sized drink for you, and one matching tiddly tipple for your drinking companion. . A boon to the germphobic and aggressive non-sharers, it also eliminates that low-level dismay that comes with watching your bartender throw your excess cocktail down the sink after pouring it. The idea also helps to ease the sticker shock that inevitably comes with an £18.50 cocktail. £18.50! We balked at our menus, and I was reminded of Jay, who was once charged nearly fifteen quid for a G&T at the Ham Yard Hotel, and vowed never to return. The extra drink – such a novelty! So adorable! – made the price much more palatable. Especially as, yes, we were in Mayfair, and somebody’s got to pay for that slick art deco interior. (Designed with Fendi fittings and Swarovski crystals, apparently.)
One thing I don’t give much time for these days is the good old-fashioned cocktail bar. I’m so consumed with eating in restaurants and having cocktails at my table that I’ve forgotten about the bar and nothing says a good bar like one inside a luxury hotel – especially with service as immaculate as this. In fact you’ll be hard pushed to find better at any bar in London. It’s unobtrusive, yet attentive enough and the staff are incredibly knowledgeable about what they serve. The Polo Bar’s Head Mixologist Carmine Catena and Head Chef Brian Fantoni have created something very special here. Mixing together some of London’s best cocktails, alongside faultless bar snacks to accompany them.
Polo Bar is the bar of The Westbury Hotel and sits adjacent to the hotel just off Bond Street in Mayfair. Inside you’ll discover an Art Deco inspired interior with Swarovski crystal fittings and custom Fendi detailing. It comes as no surprise Polo Bar was voted for London’s Bar of the Year last year by The London Lifestyle Awards.
An invitation to sample a newly launched gin and tonic menu at The Polo Bar at The Westbury Hotel presented an excellent opportunity to discover a fine place to have a drink.
Created by Tanqueray mixologist Tim Homewood and Polo Bar manager Elias Yiallouris, the new G&Ts are part of a “Botanical Brew Experience” collaboration between Tangueray No. TEN gin and Fever-Tree tonic water. All feature the quadruple distilled gin and the premium tonic along with an intriguing array of fresh ingredients.
Here’s a look at the menu:
- Blue Lady Tea and Grapefruit Peel served with Fever-Tree Mediterranean Tonic – the exotic floral and citrus notes of Blue Lady Tea are lifted with zesty Grapefruit Peel, a refreshing thirst-quencher;
- Fennel and star anise seed served with Fever-Tree Classic – native to China, the liquorice aromas of Star Anise combine with the sweet, warm flavours of Fennel Seed for an oriental twist;
- Blackberry and hibiscus tea and lemon peel served with Fever-Tree Lemon Tonic – Cleopatra’s drink of choice, ruby red Hibiscus tea is paired with fruity blackberries for a divine blend of sweet and sour;
- Cinnamon, clove and vanilla served with Fever-Tree Classic – warming and uplifting, the soft, creamy flavours of vanilla are spiced up with aromatic cloves and cinnamon;
- Rosebuds served with Fever-Tree Elderflower Tonic – reminiscent of an English garden on a summer’s day, the delicate notes of rose are given a rich, dry edge with the addition of elderflower essence;
- Pink pepper and orange peel served with Fever-Tree Classic – the kick of spiced pink pepper is sweetened with a citrus orange peel, and garnished with an orange twist.
I was pleased to be invited to the bar for a tasting and did my best to work my way through this drinks list (“tough job but …” right?) and especially liked that cinnamon and clove number and thought the pepper and orange peel mix to be a particularly fantastic ensemble. Priced at £15 each, all were refreshing and worth a taste.
New cocktails or not, I found The Polo Bar to be an exceptional venue for quality sips. Bar snacks were ace (loved the foie gras and the panko crusted prawns!) and service was delightful and prompt. Upscale and low key, the bar is conveniently centred between Bond Street, Oxford Circus and Piccadilly Circus stations yet removed just enough from the fray to allow for decompression. With Art Deco inspired designer interiors with Swarovski and Fendi details, it’s a swish spot to keep in mind whether you’re mingling to impress or simply hoping to unwind in high style.
And this just in … another reason to drop in for a drinky drink … earlier this month The Polo Bar won Best Mixology at the 2014 London Club and Bar Awards.
Great food and cocktails. Attentive and friendly service. Hope they reopen again.
This polo burger is the single greatest burger I have ever tasted! Medium well, blue cheese, mustard, tomato chutney, bacon and pickles! The taste was explosive! The service was good too, servers coming to pour our wine as we sat in a beautiful bar with a wonderful atmosphere. Thank you for looking after us.
Great English cafe. You can take away or sir down and order. The English breakfast is great and of high quality. The staff is friendly. Very easy to find. They have a wide menu where you are sure to find something for you. I can highly recommend.
Beautiful deco bar with a great drink selection and fantastic service.
The Polo Bar at the Westbury is my favourite cocktail bar in London. It keeps the original Art Deco look and feel and serves all the classics as well as their own house specialities. Snacks are also good and there is excellent sushi that is prepared by the in house sushi restaurant. Only shame is they’ve done away with the small ‘sampler’ cocktails which enabled you to have a taste of everyone’s drinks without having to dive into their cocktail
I often find myself here while accompanying my clients to business meetings. It has a very warm, comfortable feel to it, whilst remaining classy. A quiet Art Deco haven, away from the hustle and bustle of the nearby shopping streets. The cocktail menu is excellent and the expertise of the bar staff ensure that the drinks look as good as they taste. Would certainly recommend
Excellent service. Nice atmosphere- calm in the centre of London
Had a range of cocktails-some had interesting ingredients- not sure they blended well but the mixologist was more than happy to change them when requested. Would certainly go back.
Revisit, rewrite... This is still the best cocktail bar in town. Other places may be more exotic, more in-crowd, more anything... Polo bar does what it says on the label, fabulous cocktails, prebook a table, good service, not stupid pricing. If you are wanting cocktails rather than trendy social-media get together, this is unbeatable. Deserves applause.
A lovely place for a cosy, quiet catch up over a few nice drinks. We enjoyed glasses of champagne and the nibbles were a welcomed touch. Good service too.
Went early afternoon for coffee and cake. They did not seem to have a selection so i decided to go just for coffee. The waitress was very nice and got me some chocolate and small pieces of cake .
Much appreciated.
Nice atmosphere
Very nice decor. Good for meetings if you are looking to impress. Bit on the expensive side £8 for a bottle of peroni. Staff could be more polite.
If you're after something different for a cocktail, highly recommend. A little expensive but worth it. Very friendly service too.
It's very nice bar. Good service and quiet place, so good for people to have a relaxing time or just to have a drink and eat nibbles!!
Good service. Nice ambience. very chilled bar to go to wind down. Nice selection of wine
Visited here for pre drinks for our Christmas work party and the decor was amazing and staff were attentive and friendly.
Quiet place for a nice tea/coffee
Best customer service and they will make any drink or food you want (if you ask nicely and tip well)
Best place for champagne. Relaxed atmosphere. Loved the cocktail de la Louisiane.
Great for quiet meetings, something to eat or a coffee/tea. Lovely little sweet treats served with tea
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