Tucked inside the elegant Connaught Hotel in Mayfair, the Connaught Bar is a must-visit icon of London’s cocktail scene. Routinely ranked among the world’s best bars, it offers more than just exquisite drinks—it delivers a complete experience, where ambiance, artistry, and theater come together in perfect harmony.
At the helm is Agostino “Ago” Perrone, a visionary mixologist with a trophy case of international accolades. For Perrone, the secret lies in discipline and consistency. Never compromising on service, always delivering cocktails that are bright, balanced, and memorably presented.
The menu is a masterclass in craft. Cocktails are built with bespoke infusions, house-made tinctures and bitters, and even proprietary spirits. Their signature London Dry Gin, distilled in-house and infused with a secret blend of botanicals, captures the Connaught’s unique essence in every sip.
Cocktails at the Connaught
From the moment we arrived at the Hotel, the experience felt effortlessly refined. The doorman greeted us as though we were cherished regulars—gracious, warm, and respectful. A short walk through the grand lobby, a discreet turn past polished walls, and we arrived at the Connaught Bar.
Our host welcomed us with a smile so genuine it felt like reuniting with an old friend. She led us to a cozy banquette perfectly placed with a view of the bar—ideal for watching the evening unfold.
The first impression is visual as the rich Art Deco design envelops the space in understated glamour. Black lacquer, polished chrome, etched glass, and smooth marble combine to whisper timeless elegance. Menus appeared alongside an amuse-bouche of olives, cashews, sharp cheddar, and delicate aperitif to ease us into the moment.
Still admiring the stylish setting, our server returned for our order. For me, the choice was easy—a Connaught Martini made with the bar’s house-distilled London Dry Gin, a blend of vermouths, and bespoke bergamot-ginger bitters. My wife opted for a creative mocktail featuring Sipsmith FreeGlider, clarified berry yogurt, and sugar syrup.
The Martini Trolley and The Show
A sleek, black-and-chrome martini cart glided to our table like a piece of performance art. The bartender, impeccably composed, walked us through the ingredients housed in tiny beakers and bottles. There were lavender, cardamom, grapefruit, ginger, licorice—each selected to personalize the drink.
He filled the mixing glass with sculpted ice, stirred the gin and bitters to a perfect chill, and gave the cocktail glass a brief kiss of vermouth. Then, in a theatrical flourish, he lifted the mixing glass high and poured a seamless stream downward, brushing it mid-air with a lemon peel to mist the drink with citrus essence—an elegant ritual that never spilled a drop. A final twist of lemon, and it was mine.
Too soon, the moment passed and we reluctantly left our table, strolling off to dinner just around the corner at Mount Street—still savoring the memory of the Connaught, where drinks are elevated to performance and hospitality is truly an art form.