The Connaught Bar
Cocktail bar · Mayfair
The Connaught, 16 Carlos Pl, London W1K 2AL, United Kingdom
Highlights
Ritzy hotel bar with Cubist-inspired wood paneling, known for martinis.
Ritzy hotel bar with Cubist-inspired wood paneling, known for martinis.
"A bar in Mayfair known for its art deco interior and skilled mixologists, famous for its classic martini." - Andrew Young
"Sometimes you just want to drink a martini and roleplay as Mrs. Robinson on a Saturday night, and there are few London bars that will scratch that glamour itch quite like this Mayfair drinking den in The Connaught hotel. It’s a cocktail bar that’s two parts show-stopping elegance, one part drama (of the high pour, performative peeling variety behind the bar), and all drenched in the Tanquerey gin that cruises around on the martini trolley. If you’re not partial to ‘tinis, they make a mean classic and we’re also very into the Good Fellas cocktail: a smoky-sweet balsamic and cardamom take on a Manhattan. The atmosphere is more classy conversation than party central, and there are a lot Fortune 500 dinner jacket-owners in the room, so if you’re seeking a crowd that’s more Forbes 30 under 30, head to the Connaught’s lesser-known and touch more casual Red Room. photo credit: Lateef Photography photo credit: Connaught Bar photo credit: Connaught Bar Pause Unmute" - Heidi Lauth Beasley
"Visit The Connaught Bar in Mayfair and enter a different realm. It's so elegant and offers some of the most sophisticated cocktails in the city. Hélène has picked the renowned cocktail bar in The Connaught, a hotel with which she has enjoyed a long and fruitful collaboration." - The MICHELIN Guide UK Editorial Team
"The Connaught Bar is the best bar in the world with Franco, Giorgio and the team. It's known for its excellent martinis." - The MICHELIN Guide UK Editorial Team
"Housed in a Mayfair hotel and led since 2008 by Agostino “Ago” Perrone, this hotel bar is famed for a signature Martini and a choreographed tableside service performed from a glossy black Martini trolley; the ritual typically takes about five minutes per guest and is designed to make the guest the protagonist of the moment. The team — many originally from Italy and including Giorgio Bargiani and former bar manager Maura Milia — balances technical precision with theatrical, subtly elegant hospitality, focusing on body language, timing, and guest interaction. Service includes an array of five house-made bitters presented on scent cards so guests can choose an aromatic accent, with the bitters added directly to the serving glass to bloom rather than being mixed; the proprietary Dr. Ago’s bitters feature ginseng and bergamot. A bespoke vermouth assemblage (extra dry, dry floral, and bianco) provides a consistent, chocolate-tinged support to the spirit in a typical 5:1 ratio, while other longtime menu items such as a Bloody Mary topped with celery foam remain staples. The bar’s exacting approach and creativity have been documented in the team’s recent book of recipes and history, and have helped the venue earn numerous industry accolades and staff awards, reinforcing its reputation for meticulous, guest-focused cocktails and memorable theatrical service." - Prairie Rose
