Imbibe Hotel Bar Awards 2009: Round II - Best Classic Hotel Bar

In the last issue of Imbibe, we announced the winners of the Boutique Hotel Bar category. Since then, our mystery imbibers have been scouring the country for winners in the second heat of our nationwide competition in association with pioneering super-premium gin Zephyr. So, without further ado, the winners in the Best Classic Hotel Bar 2009 category are…

BEST CLASSIC HOTEL BAR 2009

WINNER

ARTESIAN @ THE LANGHAM, LONDON

1c Portland Place, Regent Street, London, W1B 1JA; 020 7636 1000; www.langhamhotels.com

Bar manager: Edward Viita

This stunning London hotel bar quite simply blew our socks off, gaining the highest score in the competition so far. Before we had even ordered a drink, we were marveling at the spectacular interior by designer David Collins that marries airiness and light with playful, decadent features such as bespoke chandeliers, ostrich skin upholstery and a central glass urn full of gigantic white rose heads. Any shock we might have felt at the steep prices (cocktails averaged around £15 each) was quickly allayed by the attentive service and surfeit of indulgent extras including a platter of complementary canapés, offered in addition to an unending supply of delicious bar snacks, and served complete with monogrammed linen napkins. But it was the drinks that really wowed us, with both our G&T, served exactly to order right down to the garnish, and a beautiful, strawberry and mint-strewn Russian Spring Punch, scoring a perfect 10, while a fantastic non-alcoholic cocktail had us seriously considering taking the pledge. Funky, well-chosen music and an imaginative menu particularly strong on rum, and full of quirky details including tasting flights of mini-cocktails, sealed the deal. ‘Every aspect of the experience was spot on, I can’t fault it in any way,’ said one judge – and if the atmosphere was anything to go by on the night we visited, there are a lot of bar-goers out there who agree.

RUNNERS UP

THE DORCHESTER BAR @ THE DORCHESTER HOTEL, LONDON

Park Lane, London, W1K 1QA; 020 7629 8888; www.thedorchester.com

Bar manager: Guiliano Morandin

Only some rather unforgiving furniture prevented this outstanding bar from joining Artesian in the top spot. A superb and imaginatively put together cocktail list was matched by exemplary service
that included whipping up a bespoke hot toddy for one of the poorly amongst us. The wine and spirits selections also showed real passion – particularly impressive were the choice vermouths, champagnes and more than 20 gins (all available in G&Ts with an added spritz of house bitters in half a dozen flavours). Complimentary canapés and heavy, elegant glassware also impressed. Rarest of all, however, was this bar’s ability to marry a sense of prestige and class with a warm welcome that put us immediately at our ease. A fine example of bartending at its best.

DOWNER HOUSE BAR @ THE ROYAL CRESCENT, BATH

16 Royal Crescent, Bath BA1 2LS; 01225 823333; www.royalcrescent.co.uk

Bar manager: Orlando Santa Garcia

Set in one of the world’s finest Georgian crescents, this Bath outfit could be considered the epitome of a classic hotel, marrying cultivated elegance with cosiness and comfort. Having made our way past a roaring open fire in the hallway, we were soon seated in the intimate bar, where a team of friendly young staff made us feel as welcome as if we had been residents. Drinks were superb – our G&T was built to perfection using gin from a spot-on selection on the back bar, served with Fever Tree tonic on the side, while an expertly made Zubrowka Bison Grass Mojito was fresh and crisp. Before long we found ourselves sharing a glass of champagne with our fellow guests, followed by an impromptu gin tasting session – and if that’s not the sign of a good bar than we don’t know what is.

THE BAR @ GLENEAGLES, PERTHSHIRE

Auchterarder, Perthshire, PH3 1NF; 01764 66223; www.gleneagles.com

Bar manager: David Sinclair

Expectations were inevitably high as we approached this venerable hotel – and we’re pleased to say the bar didn’t disappoint. Taking its cues from the elegant interiors of the 1920s, this dramatic space immediately spelled glamour. The drinks list, meanwhile, was a great example of tailoring your offering to your clientele, with flights of rare whiskies and a selection of warming booze-spiked coffee drinks for chilly golfers, listed alongside classic cocktails big on sparkling recipes for those on a celebratory weekend away. Waist-coated staff were attentive but unobtrusive, despite a very busy bar – a Mojito with Matusalem Gran Reserva was particularly good. A classic hotel bar at the top of its game.

THE RIVOLI BAR @ THE RITZ, LONDON

150 Piccadilly, London W1J 9BR; 020 7493 8181; www.theritzlondon.com

Bar manager: Alan Cook

A hotel as famous as this could easily rest on its laurels, but we were mightily impressed by both service and drinks in this opulent yet intimate bar. Welcoming staff immediately offered to place a bouquet of flowers we were carrying in a cool storeroom while we drank, and a jacket and tie policy (a rather outdated rule in our book) was good-naturedly glossed over with the loan of a tie and a friendly joke. Drinks were steep, but excellent too – a reassuringly weighty glass of G&T came with an invigoratingly generous dose of gin, and a Laphroaig and Antica Formula cocktail was one of the best we’ve had this year. As one might expect, the clientele was a tad on the touristy side (albeit the well-heeled one), but despite this the personal touch prevailed – a real five-star experience.