London is highly regarded for its elegance, refinement, and panache. Associated with royalty, glorious architecture, and cultural dynamism, London is the ultimate city for those enticed by old-world glamour and life’s fine things.
High End Bars in London
Among its many bounties, the city’s nightlife is a class apart. From futuristic cocktails to Victorian regality and celebrity sightings, London’s bars are designed to immerse people in sheer decadence. Read on to discover the most expensive bars in London.
1. The Donovan Bar at Brown's Hotel
This bar boasts a menu curated by cocktail and cognac maestro Salvatore Calabrese, former President of the United Kingdom Bartender’s Guild and an established name on the world mixology stage.
Inspired by notable photographer Terrence Donavan, the bar is adorned with his portraits and photography paraphernalia. Ornate stained glass, a sleek bar, and handsome armchairs harmonise to create a saloon for selective sippers. Calabrese’s creations are made for celebrities, royals, businessmen, and distinguished politicians. The bar’s most renowned cocktail, called Salvatore's Legacy, is worth £5,500 – the four-figure drink is a blend of 1788 Clos de Griffier cognac and 1770 Kummel liqueur. “Shorts” (a taster) from new menus cost about £30, while standard glasses of their premium vintage cocktails will set you back at least £200.
2. Claridge's
Vintage spirits, marvellous cocktails, and art-deco interiors by David Collins make Claridge’s a truly lavished paradise.
A grand stained glass mirror steals the spotlight, humbling yet complementing the portraits celebrating the artistic merits of Provenance and Italy. Ebony furniture and Mediterranean accents swarm the room. A smaller, more intimate nook called the “Fumoir” is built with wooden panels and moody William Klein portraits.
Vintage wines grace Claridge’s cellar, boasting staggering mixology to boot. Hosting rare whiskies that were served in the Prohibition era, guests are treated to daring indulgences of the bygone. A tête-à-tête at Claridge's over a few drinks could cost up to £350.
3. The American Bar at the Savoy Hotel
The American Bar stands proudly as London’s oldest surviving cocktail bar, with numerous accolades under its belt – the bar was a regular haunt for the likes of Earnest Hemingway and Winston Churchill; it won the title of World’s Best Bar at the Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards 2018; and it earned fifth place in the 2017 list of "World’s 50 Best Bars.".
A glitzy bar, cacophonous patterns sing in harmony at the establishment. From haphazardly panelled ceilings to chevroned carpeting, from sheeny furniture to blinged-up mirrors, there’s grandeur everywhere. A semi-private nook, created with intricately carved white screens structured to resemble a mini villa, houses embellished divans for intimate gatherings.
The American Bar has hosted cocktail maestros such as Harry Craddock and Ada Coleman, which bears testimony to its mixology prowess. The latest menu, “The Savoy: American Bar Journal,” pays homage to the bar’s rich history through its sedulously crafted drinks.
One of the several eye-grabbing cocktails on the menu is the “King’s Cobbler,” which headlines with: “In honour of His Majesty King Charles III’s Coronation, this cocktail takes inspiration from his favourite aperitif, a gin martini, and his daily morning ritual of fresh fruit juice.”. Paired with 50 grammes of beluga caviar, guests are in for the ultimate sojourn in the lap of luxury.
4. Coburg Bar
Tucked away in Mayfair ’s signature five-star hotel, the Connaught, Coburg Bar oozes sparkling glamour.
Dim lights, a hunky mahogany bar, velvet banquettes, grand chandeliers, and silver-leafed ornaments inject the bar with an aristocratic appeal. The interiors are inspired by 1920s Irish and English Cubist art.
The Coburg is renowned for its arresting cocktails that flaunt kaleidoscopic colours, shamrocks, and accessories. Its signature drink, however, is the classic martini – with a twist or infused with olives, this gin libation has won over connoisseurs over the years. The venue also takes pride in its “whisky compendium” menu, which features whiskies from different parts of the world.
5. The Pod Bar, Sky Garden
Residing in Sky Garden, the Pod Bar offers unbeatable views of London, nestled in an immodest botanical haven.
The spacey rooftop cafe is sparsely furnished, as the garden’s bounties and the unfurling tapestry of London take centre stage. Floor-to-ceiling glass windows offer a breathtaking view of the city – from Canary Wharf to London Eye, Tower Hill, and Big Ben, London’s icons are visible in all their majesty. From herbs to flowering plants, beauteous foliage envelopes the Pod Bar.
Lagers, ciders, and cocktails can be relished over unmatched views of the townscape. For an even more extravagant experience, guests can treat themselves to a bottle of Moët & Chandon champagne.
6. Artesian
Artesian prides itself on being a pioneer in the bar industry in terms of artistic imagination and mixology prowess.
The interiors are a contemporary rendition of vintage glam. Antiquated light fixtures are suspended from ornately panelled ceilings. Sumptuous carpeting sprawls the floors, and ceiling-high windows flood the room with natural light. Baroque cabinetry stands tall behind the gold-rimmed bar, flanked by old-fashioned lamps on all sides.
Artesian is famous for its fascinating concept menus. Their latest menu, “Ingredients of the Future,” signifies the brand’s commitment to ecological ingredients and sustainable practices. Guests are in for an impressive range of champagnes, ryes, armagnacs, and mezcals.
7. The Pine Bar, Biltmore
Mayfair’s five-star hotel Biltmore takes pride in its sultry little establishment, the Pine Bar, known for its fine collection of wines, cognac, and obscenely pricey cocktails.
Mirrored pillars, velour carpeting, and tantalising rouge walls embody Biltmore’s decadent grandeur. Fashionably haphazard shelves display coveted bottles of vintages and premium liqueurs.
Vintages dating back to the 1960s grace the bar, in addition to aged spirits such as the 1960 Jose Cuervo Tequila Blanco and 1970 Cointreau Liqueur. Endowed with decades-old alcohol, cocktails at the Pine will set you back hundreds of pounds – the Negroni, made with blends from the 60s and 70s, is worth £140.
The most expensive cocktail, however, is the Biltmore Rye Manhattan – featuring 1920s Biltmore Rye and Cinzano Vermouth from the 1960s, this drink is worth a whopping £450.
8. The Rivoli at Ritz
The Ritz franchise has truly set a new threshold for luxurious pleasure. London Ritz’s very own bar, the Rivoli, is no exception.
Designed to resemble an ostentatious jewellery box, gold-leaf inscriptions, gilded ornaments, and rich wooden interiors harmonise to create an awe-inspiring establishment. Wealth and resplendence manifest in every nook and cranny of the Rivoli, dripping with glimmery abundance. Tables, chairs, lamps, windows, and even the cocktail shakers flaunt hues of gold.
The Cesar Ritz, worth £120, is a unique blend of champagne and brandy. Fruit and botanical-starring cocktails blended with house-made mixers and cordials also feature on the menu.
Architectural virtuosity, atmospheric brilliance, and mixology artistry merge to reveal the best of London’s luxury bars. Beyond simply the palate pleasure and exhilaration of liquor, the city’s barscape truly furnishes a holistically indulgent experience – guests receive resounding royal treatment. Give in to excess, and indulge in a drink or two at London’s most exclusive bars.
