West End Bars

Smooth and dependable with a tasteful and nicely upholstered interior, the Donovan Bar is quietly stylish – if not the most exciting ride in town. However, at £15 per cocktail, this self-appointed ‘legendary drinking establishment' is possibly not for your average runaround tippler. Fans of sidecar and classics of similar vintage will find them among a list of contemporary ideas such as the rock (Glenmorangie 18-year-old whisky, fresh pineapple, black pepper and lemon juice spritzed with smoky Scotch), while gin lovers might fancy a Sipsmith and Aperol old fashioned, sipped to the sounds of live jazz most evenings. There's also a good range of grape and grain to go with proper English snacks – think devils on horseback, fishfingers with mushy peas and chips, Portland crab on toast or pork crackling with Bramley apple sauce

Under Alex Kratena and Simone Caporale, Artesian was repeatedly voted The World’s Best Bar. Can successors Dino Koletsas and Gabor Fodor now reclaim the crown? They’ve certainly produced some quaffable, high-end drinks on their 17-strong ‘Artesian Moments’ menu.

The collection was realised through a survey of the general public, which asked them to submit the flavours and feelings that they associate with pivotal moments in their life. Over 500 responses later, the team have created a menu of cocktails which are all named after ‘that moment when…’

Reminisce by sipping on ‘…you went to big school’, which is made with a blend of Blanche de Normandie, almond lemonade, apple and meadowsweet, or mourn past loves with ‘…your heart was broken’, which sees Craigellachie 13YO paired with cacao, saké, racilla and verjus. Such concept-heavy cocktails and kooky presentation can veer into the kitsch, but expert mixes and a strong selection make a visit to this bar another moment which you’re unlikely to forget.   

It's worth remembering that, before it turns into a full-on party, this doolally 1950s-style Polynesian cabana is a civilised spot for a sundowner. Mayfair legend Mahiki is not the place for an Aperol Spritz, but they'll make one if you really must. The big attraction here is a line-up of rum punches, grogs and slings with names like Bikini Blast, Krakatoa, Bajan Whirlpool and ‘vicious’ absinthe-spiked Baron Samedi's Brew – all served in assorted tiki vessels. Otherwise, Armada Treasure Chest and Queen Ann's Revenge (a magnum of Cîroc, two bottles of Cristal and 20 shots) are the sort of fishbowls that would feature large on Sun, Sex and Suspicious Parents were the grown-ups snooping on their misbehaving progeny in Antigua rather than Ayia Napa. Asian snacks act as damage limitation as the action heats up in the downstairs club.

More than a warm-up act for the excellent Roka restaurant upstairs, Shochu Lounge is a destination in its own right – a snazzy and ‘sexy' subterranean space dedicated to the eponymous Japanese spirit (similar to vodka, but usually weaker). Take a perch at the rough-hewn wooden counter and ponder the intricacies of the beverage – different flavours and varieties can be savoured on their own, over ice (carved from a huge block at the bar) or in various cocktails: try a Noshino martini (shochu, saké and cucumber) or the vertigo (Tequila, vanilla shochu and pineapple juice). The good news is that bar food comes straight from Roka's kitchen (think sushi, sashimi, tuna tataki or spinach leaves with sesame dressing); the bad news is that staff can occasionally be too snotty for their own good.

2010 felt like the year of the Italian restaurant in London, with more openings than you could shake a grissini stick at. As a result, it has been hard for old-stagers such as No 5 to keep the punters interested – although this ‘one-stop shop for a night out’ does have the virtue of an elegant, members’ club location, an outdoor terrace with views of Cavendish Square & free entry to the nightspot downstairs. The decor may once have been modish, but a visual assault of red leather chairs & felt banquettes now seems OTT & far too glamorous for the neighbourhood trattoria food on offer. Dishes such as gnocchi with tomato & ricotta, calf’s liver with grilled polenta or duck breast with grilled vegetables & balsamic vinegar are hardly likely to get the pulse racing. The cocktail bar downstairs is a hotter ticket, with its smart looks & matching mixology.

“THE LOBBY BAR IS CLOSED DURING THE REFURBISHMENT OF ONE ALDWYCH HOTEL. IT WILL REOPEN ON 9 APRIL 2019. ”

This luxury lounge boasts all the trappings of a smart hotel bar, so expect silky service, a stylish ambience and classy cocktails with a high price tag. Expensively put together with dramatic floral displays and objets d'art, the airy room has sleek polished stone floors and large double-height windows to create a sense of occasion, while dramatic drinks live up to the decor. Two can share the show-stopping Bewitched Passion: Babicka vodka mixed with homemade fennel syrup, pomegranate shrub and peppermint bitters, topped with Champagne and served in an absinthe fountain. If that's too OTT, go for a demure Peach Bellini or classic Sidecar. An approachable international wine list is safer still, while bar snacks are pitched firmly at the hotel's well-heeled international clientele – think club sandwiches, mini burgers with truffle mayo and platters of smoked salmon, crab and prawns.