The Connaught Bar
Quick info
About The Connaught Bar
The Connaught Bar is a cocktail bar in London, set within The Connaught hotel and known for its martinis. Cubist-inspired wood panelling and huge mirrors shape the ritzy interior, where the drink program leads the experience. The Connaught Martini is the signature serve, and olives are offered as a bar accompaniment. Mains range from £22 to £335, covering a total of 14 dishes.
Good to know
- ReservationsWalk-in only
- ParkingPaid multi-storey car park · Paid street parking · Valet parking
- AccessibilityHas wheelchair-accessible car park · Has wheelchair-accessible entrance · Has wheelchair-accessible seating
- Good for kidsGood for kids
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention martini cart, afternoon tea, Faraway Collins and best martini.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention martini cart, afternoon tea, Faraway Collins and best martini.
Customer Review Summary
The Connaught Martini, prepared tableside from the martini cart, is the defining draw, with reviewers calling it the best they have ever had and urging martini fans to order it. The cart experience, where the bartender customizes the drink to personal preferences, comes up repeatedly as the highlight. Other specific cocktails named include the Coral, the BRB, the Sundown, the Faraway Collins, and a tequila-based drink called the Piper. Several reviewers also note a complimentary amuse bouche mini cocktail served on arrival, and the small bites receive praise. The atmosphere is described as elegant, lively, and unlike any other, with the martini bar in action called a delight even by those who do not drink martinis. A recurring practical caveat is seating: the bar is walk-in only, hotel guests are consistently given preference, and several reviewers describe having to wait or visit multiple times before getting a seat, with one noting a better chance of getting a seat before 5pm on a weeknight. One reviewer also flags that the glasses are made of plastic, which felt cheap given the price, and describes a disappointing visit where signature cocktails had to be replaced.
Customer Review Summary
The Connaught Martini, prepared tableside from the martini cart, is the defining draw, with reviewers calling it the best they have ever had and urging martini fans to order it. The cart experience, where the bartender customizes the drink to personal preferences, comes up repeatedly as the highlight. Other specific cocktails named include the Coral, the BRB, the Sundown, the Faraway Collins, and a tequila-based drink called the Piper. Several reviewers also note a complimentary amuse bouche mini cocktail served on arrival, and the small bites receive praise. The atmosphere is described as elegant, lively, and unlike any other, with the martini bar in action called a delight even by those who do not drink martinis. A recurring practical caveat is seating: the bar is walk-in only, hotel guests are consistently given preference, and several reviewers describe having to wait or visit multiple times before getting a seat, with one noting a better chance of getting a seat before 5pm on a weeknight. One reviewer also flags that the glasses are made of plastic, which felt cheap given the price, and describes a disappointing visit where signature cocktails had to be replaced.
Featured reviews
- NIHAL CAGLAYAN
“This bar is a must if you’re looking for some of the coolest, most stylish, and best cocktails in London. The small bites were fantastic, and I had the best cocktail I’ve tried in London here. If you’re looking for a chic, elegant, and effortlessly cool bar, it’s perfect for special meetups, romantic dates, or intimate evenings.”
- Diana Hernández
“I ordered the Faraway Collins, ir seems to be a Legendary cocktails for which this bar is renowned. My husband asked for a Martini and he loved it. Such a great place!”
- Virginia Huffman
“Beautiful bar with lively atmosphere. Cocktail menu is gorgeous. Lots of drinks to choose from. If you love martinis, we highly recommend ordering one. The martini cart experience is quite special. My husband is very particular with his martinis and enjoyed his. I enjoyed my refreshing “Piper”tequila based drink. You have a better chance to get a seat if you are a guest of the hotel. We cane several times before we were able to enjoy.”
- lorenzo sanman
“I had not been in a long time. I started going many years ago because my father, who hardly drank, thought it was the best bar with an incredible GT. I was staying somewhere else but thought of taking my girlfriend and having a few before a concert we had come to see. I will start by saying that they don’t need any reviews….they are as good as I remember them, if not better. The young Andrea took care of us, he is great, incredible at his job…he could sell you anything, literally. Andrea ´sold´us a few drinks which where incredible. The Coral was strong but very well balanced. The BRB was what you would always expect. The pisco had equilibrium. The Sundown was not a let down, far from it but not as addictive as Luci. We ended up having 3 of those. As you can imagine we left very happy for the Dani Martin concert. My girlfriend ended up paying. Is it expensive? Not in my view but it should be obvious that to go to the Connaught is not cheap. A total success Andrea, so thank you for your part in making your variable allow the equation to be 1. PD., The GT was very good but after I tried the one at the Bellwood in Tokyo nothing has come close.”
- Anup Parikh
“Best martini I’ve ever had. I can see why it’s ranked as the number 6 best bar in the world currently. I came with 2 people before 5pm on a weeknight and was able to get a seating for an hour. It’s “walk-ins only” but they definitely give preference to hotel guests which is understandable. If you’re a martini fan you must come here. At first I thought maybe it was just for the show of the famous trolly cart but no, it really was worth it and I highly recommend the experience.”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
- Closed
Highlights
“Ritzy hotel bar with Cubist-inspired wood panelling and huge mirrors, known for its martinis.”
- Serves great cocktails
- Has great wine list
- Popular for good for solo dining
Amenities
- Has Wi-Fi
- Has wheelchair-accessible car park
- Paid street parking
- Serves dine-in
- Good for kids
- Serves food at bar
Show more amenities
- On-site services available
- Serves beer
- Serves food
- Has free water refills
- Has private dining room
- Serves spirits
- Highlights· 2
- Serves great cocktails
- Has great wine list
- Popular for· 1
- Good for solo dining
- Atmosphere· 4
- Cosy
- Romantic
- Trendy
- Upmarket
- Planning· 1
- Usually has a wait
- Facilities· 1
- Has toilet
- Crowd· 2
- Good for groups
- Popular with tourists
- Accessibility· 4
- Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Has wheelchair-accessible seating
- Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
- Does not have assistive hearing loop
- Offerings· 3
- Serves alcohol
- Serves cocktails
- Serves wine
- Dining options· 2
- Has seating
- Has table service
- Parking· 2
- Paid multi-storey car park
- Valet parking
Location
How The Connaught Bar compares to nearby cocktail bars
- The Connaught Bar · This shop4.61,268 reviews
Mentioned in reviews: martini cart, afternoon tea, Faraway Collins
- AMERICAN BAR4.61,088 reviews1.3 mi
Mentioned in reviews: live piano music, hanky panky, tea o'clock
- Nightjar4.62,746 reviews2.9 mi
Mentioned in reviews: live music, speakeasy styled basement, creative cocktails
The Connaught Bar This shop | AMERICAN BAR | Nightjar | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.6(1,268) | 4.6(1,088) | 4.6(2,746) | |
| Price | £60+ | £20–70 | £20–60 |
| Distance | — | 1.3 mi | 2.9 mi |
| Open today |
How this listing is sourced
Hours, contact details, and amenities are sourced from publicly available business data and re-checked regularly. Listings are ranked independently — no paid placement.