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Connaught Bar

London

Modernity meets classicism in this pinnacle of hotel drinking

It's not an exaggeration to say that when the Connaught Bar opened in 2008, it changed the game for hotel bars almost overnight. Before it opened its doors, five-star hotel bars were vestiges of old-world luxury – the Connaught brought that model into the 21st century, modernising both drinks and service without losing an ounce of elegance. The Connaught set the bar and hasn't fallen short since – its 16 appearances in The World's 50 Best Bars lists is unparalleled. Essentially, this Mayfair sanctuary has become the quintessential hotel bar.

No small part of its magic is in the David Collins-designed Cubist décor that provides the perfect setting for the poise of Agostino Perrone, Giorgio Bargiani and their affable team.

For its latest menu, Stream, the bar has taken a novel approach to seasonality – maintaining the same set of 10 drinks throughout the entire lifespan of the menu but tweaking their ingredients and reworking recipes with the changing seasons. Stem is a standout, currently made with cognac infused with argan oil, Michter's rye whiskey, Acqua Bianca, Persian cordial, new-make wine and finished with coriander bitters. The headline act is the bar's signature bespoke Dry Martini. Arriving by trolley, the serve becomes a performance as the bartender stirs the guest's spirit of choice with a house-blend of vermouths before raising the mixing glass aloft and pouring into a bitters-adorned glass from overhead. The effortlessness of the service betraying the high-level of technique at play – just like the bar itself.

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