London’s love affair with Champagne has endured for well over 300 years. When it first arrived in the 1700s, it was a staple of high society, providing an effervescence that lit up Mayfair balls and the opera boxes of Covent Garden. If a prestigious reference were needed, then one should look no further than Charles Dickens in his classic David Copperfield: “There was Champagne to begin with and Champagne to end with”. This demonstrates just how well-received and how synonymous with celebration this festive drink had become in the capital.
At the turn of the 19th century, dedicated Champagne bars appeared in the most notable hotels of the city too. The Savoy, Claridge’s and The Ritz would curate whole menus and evenings around pairings to the famous fizzy drop that were the talk of the city. Its cultural status and significance eventually became a byword for the sophistication and elegance expected of a party or social event. From royalty to rock stars, these bubbles have been celebrated ever since in some of the most impressive neighbourhoods in London.
Our guide to the very best Champagne bars in Mayfair combines this fascinating drink with incredible locations to guarantee your evening goes with a pop.
The Champagne Room at The Connaught
The five-star majesty of The Connaught in Mayfair has everything one could want from a modern hospitality experience. For over two centuries, it has been providing world-class facilities to the aristocracy, royalty and the elite who visit the neighbourhood and choose to drink and dine here. It seems perfectly appropriate, then, that this is the location for a tiny and ultra-exclusive champagne bar to accommodate around 25 people. Behind the discreet entrance of velvet drapes in the lobby, a Guy Oliver-designed space of leather banquettes, mirrored tables and bronze accents creates a wonderful speakeasy atmosphere where Champagne is always the star of the show.
The menu itself is a joy to behold. There are over 40 vintages and special bottlings to choose from that are available by the bottle or the glass, served in exquisite Baccarat crystal glassware, of course. Among the options are some genuinely thrilling and rare Champagne examples, such as the 1914 Pol Roger, which serves as much as a historical artefact as it does a drink. The Champagne Room at The Connaught exudes the quiet confidence of an establishment that knows its audience and understands the brief to provide excellent and dedicated drinks knowledge and service, every time.
The Champagne Bar at 116 Pall Mall
There is something immensely satisfying about the atmosphere of The Champagne Bar at 116 Pall Mall. Deep under the streets in what was once The Prince of Wales’s wine cellars, it bears all the hallmarks of that incredible history. Exposed brick walls, high vaulted ceilings and the original iron-gate doors transport guests into a timeless space dedicated to the famous drink and all of its associations. It boasts one of the largest selections of magnums in London from Moët & Chandon, Drappier and Dom Pèroignon with masterclasses always available to broaden your palette and knowledge.
The crowd here tend to be a mix of Champagne aficionados and enthusiasts who mingle with those people who have had the joy of discovering a unique subterranean speciality. Booking ahead is always advised, especially if you would like to explore more of a certain vintage or guarantee that your table can accommodate all of your party. The Champagne Bar at 116 Pall Mall takes Champagne seriously. As a result, it can perhaps appear to be a little inaccessible for the casual drinker or those on an evening out in the city. However, with such knowledgeable staff working as advocates for the famous fizz, it is easy to quickly become engaged by the nuance and details, to learn a little too. All of which makes this place well worth a stop before dinner or a theatre reservation in the area.
The May Fair Bar
There are few addresses more prestigious in the capital than Berkeley Square in Mayfair. The May Fair Bar is part of The May Fair Hotel here, opened by King George V and Queen Mary in 1927, that remains a cornerstone of quality and luxury for the neighbourhood. A recent renovation in 2024 was undertaken by Krishma Singh Dear of the Edwardian Hotel Group, which had the aim of presenting a more subtle and modern feel, all perfect for a Champagne bar in 2025. The undoubtedly refined style that was achieved also does something important for its attraction and accessibility, disregarding the overt opulence that may have deterred many from visiting. What it may lack in the depth of curated Champagne menus, rare vintages and exclusive magnums, it more than makes up for in its stylish design and welcoming atmosphere. However, foundation level bottles such as Möet & Chandon and Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé are joined by a collection of more interesting options such as the 2014 Louis Roederer Cristal, so all tastes are definitely catered for. Versatile and relaxed, The May Fair Bar is a great way to indulge in a glass of bubbles without much fanfare and ceremony.
Clémence
There is a continuing responsibility for the bars and restaurants of Mayfair to develop alongside the trends and needs of a modern clientele. For many of the newer places that have appeared in the neighbourhood over the last decade, that does mean providing a broader offering than similar, more established spaces in the neighbourhood.
Clémence is a wonderful example of how that should all be achieved for a Champagne evening. There is a distinctly European cafe feel about this place, filled with the air of a hidden gem in the quieter setting of Shepherd Market, away from the busier Mayfair spots. Without much of the fuss and formality that can occasionally hinder Champagne bars, a younger crowd have made Clemence their venue of choice with vintage décor and biophilic design giving it a radiant ambience of life and energy. A Champagne menu of Piper Heidsieck, Taittinger and Laurent-Perrier is available here, with the option to transfer the fizz into a Kia Royale, too. This is sophistication in 21st-century style for Champagne drinkers.
This famous libation that was once the reserve of an extremely privileged few is now undeniably one with a much wider appeal. However, when visiting any of the Champagne bars in Mayfair, it is clear that experiencing it in the right way is equally concerned with the environment as it is with the vintage. Both of which should be well savoured.
