The Best Bar in the World; and runners up
I. The Connaught Bar
Located in the Connaught hotel - this has been ranked by (probably) reputable sources as the best bar in the world for the second year running. As it was also centrally located and open during the day, checking it out was a no brainer.
With Bentleys were lining up to enter the place, the poshness of the entrance lived up to expectations
The interior was likewise impressive - not lavish but ultra classy. You know you’re in a different level establishment when the waiter stores your drink in a freezer to halt dilution while you go to the bathroom! Another new touch that I haven’t seen anywhere else, before the main drinks they brought out amuse bouche cocktails that were superb 🤯🤯🤯. Oh, and when they found out Masha had a citrus allergy, they went back and made a different one tailored to her taste ❤️❤️❤️!
Shockingly, on a summer late Saturday afternoon it still had no appreciable wait to be seated.
Befitting such an establishment, prices range from high end to ??!!
A sampling of a few of their favorites showed tempered innovation matched with absolutely perfect execution and attention to detail.
While the tequila cocktail I started with was fairly run of the mill, the juicy, briny seagrass garnish took it to another level.
The delicious Scotch milk punch had yet another delightful new twist, with a liftable metal harness for the ice cube, to stir the layered cocktail before drinking.
Masha’s drink, was perhaps the best of the bunch, with floral and fruity flavors swirling in your mouth like smoke in a decanter. On and the snacks were pretty decent too.
II. Artesian
London is blessed with a shocking number of high end cocktail labs (see below). Because of our packed schedule, I only got to try one other establishment, also in Soho: the Artesian.
Like the Connaught, it is also a hotel bar. But while the former is no worse for it, as it is a destination of its own, the crowd here is in large part hotel guests, i.e. more casual visitors.
I chose the Artesian because of their high concept drink menu, where unusual ingredients are incorporated with a variety of techniques. Unfortunately here the execution did not keep up with the vision. The beet cocktail had a gorgeous ruby color but no discernible earthy beet flavor. Perhaps as a result (for I asked for a drink with the key ingredient being more upfront), the second drink — a (candy cap) mushroom sipper — was overpowering.
But all was not lost as I had a delightful conversation with Dimitrius who, on finding out about our traveling plans, excitedly shared a load of tips about visiting Greece. And, of course, all the best cocktail bars in Athens. Can’t wait!
III. Other London mixology POIs
With all of our other preparations, I didn’t put this list together ahead of time, and when it was in place, there was no time to visit them! As they say, third [visit to London] is the charm.
These first four are widely reputed to be at the top of their (experimental cocktails) game:
Bar with shapes for name
Little mercies - this place is especially far, but according to Dimitrius worth the trip
Tayer and elementary - apparently one of the oldest and most venerable
Discount suit company
Some others
Coupette
Soma soho - Indian flavors!
Lyaness
Nightjar
Seed library
Swift soho
Lounge Bohemia - still there since 2019 when we first visited. Very avant-garde. If you want a place pushing the envelope or ripping it up altogether this is (was?) it.
