A Travel Advisor’s Guide to London’s Best Hotel Bars: Shaken, Not Stirred

Whoever knows me, knows that when I travel, I might skip a museum or two, but you’ll always find me at the hotel bar. London, for me, is a city best explored one neighborhood, and one cocktail at a time. I love wandering through Mayfair’s elegant corners, discovering a new area each visit (last visit was Knightsbridge, where I stumbled upon the beautiful Franklyn Hotel), and finding charm in every stop.

Between sipping martinis and people-watching in Soho, I’ll make time for a few other indulgences like a nice dinner at Sketch, or a quick detour to Borough Market for some incredible street food (the chocolate-covered strawberries are non-negotiable). Every time I visit, I get reminded that London is massive, layered, and endlessly worth exploring. And its hotel bars—they’re just the perfect place to start.

Dukes Bar: The martini mecca

If you’re serious about martinis, Dukes Bar is probably already on your list (or it should be). Tucked inside Dukes Hotel, this small, wood-paneled space is a masterclass in tradition. I was lucky enough to meet Alessandro Palazzi, the bar’s legendary maestro, the true zen master, part mixologist, part philosopher, who’s perfected the art of the martini ritual.

Watching him work is mesmerizing: the frozen gin, the whisper of vermouth, the citrus peel expressed with precision. One sip, and I understood why Ian Fleming famously found inspiration for James Bond here. This isn’t just the best martini in London—it’s a spiritual experience.

Don’t miss: Go early in the evening—there’s no standing room, and each guest is limited to two martinis (trust me, that’s all you’ll need).

The Connaught Bar: Where elegance meets art

Just around the corner in Mayfair, The Connaught Bar defines hotel bar perfection. With its Art Deco interiors, mirrored walls, and all the glamour, it’s everything you want in a London night out.

The bar team here doesn’t just mix drinks, they curate them. My go-to is the Connaught Martini, poured tableside from a trolley, with your choice of bitters selected like perfume notes.

This is a bar where locals, travelers, and cocktail aficionados meet under one glowing ceiling. It’s sophisticated, social, and effortlessly chic, exactly what a hotel bar should be.

Pro tip: Reservations are strongly recommended, especially on weekends.

Broadwick Soho: The trendy new kid

Then there’s the Broadwick Soho, a recent discovery that completely charmed me. Located in the heart of Soho, this hotel feels like stepping into a Wes Anderson dream, bold colors, eclectic decor, and a bar that’s anything but ordinary.

The cocktails here are playful and inventive, often inspired by the neighborhood’s creative spirit. It’s a perfect stop for pre-dinner drinks or a spontaneous night out.

Don’t miss: Try one of their signature cocktails featuring British gin or tea-inspired infusions, the perfect nod to London’s modern mixology scene.

Scarfes Bar: Classic London charm

Finally, no London bar list is complete without Scarfes Bar at Rosewood London. Nestled in a grand Edwardian building, this bar feels like an old-world library meets a jazz club. Plush armchairs, live music, shelves lined with books and caricatures by Gerald Scarfe. For me, its quintessentially London!

The menu changes seasonally, with clever, literary-inspired cocktails that pay homage to art and culture. Sitting by the fireplace with a vesper martini or negroni in hand, you’re reminded why London’s hotel bars remain the gold standard for elegance and atmosphere.

Pro tip: Come for the live jazz in the evenings—it’s an experience that captures the soul of the city.