With Petrus and the Boxwood Cafe as just two strings to The Berkeley Hotel’s bow, Blue Bar doesn’t disappoint, living up to the almighty weight of expectation on its shoulders and delivering far more than your average 5 star hotel bar.

The Venue
Where else could such an establishment be than in an area that epitomises the affluent side of London - Knightsbridge. Located equidistant between Hyde Park Corner and Knightsbridge tube stations - a stone’s throw from Harrods - this hotel bears a hefty expectation. However, turning off the main street and being confronted with a stunning building with suited doormen and only a subtle embossed Berkeley sign to belie its location, you see it’s doing everything you’d expect it to.

Walking inside this luxury hotel, you instantly begin the experience of visiting the Blue Bar with an attentive staff and opulent surrounds. Swinging through the double doors to the left, you’re met with a more modern bar than you’d expect, with not a hint of stuffiness. Adourned, unsurprisingly, in a subtle blue shade that emits from everything from the walls and ceilings to the tables and chairs, you’ll be struck by just how well laid out this relatively small space is. Spread across three distinct areas, avoiding any feelings of claustrophobia, all party sizes are catered for from tables for two to larger seating areas. The chairs are comfortable and range from leather to wood, all in keeping with the blue theme. Dim lighting that isn’t cloying thanks to the light shades of azure creates an atmospheric setting that is perfect for a romantic date or cosy tete-a-tete with friends. The ceilings are high and airy and the central bar is beautiful, gleaming and easily accessible.

The Atmosphere
This is where Blue Bar truly excels. Often hotel bars are quiet - especially on a Friday night - suffering from a stuffy air that, whilst not totally offputting, isn’t what you necessarily want on a weekend. The Blue Bar avoids any such pitfalls and deftly walks the fine line between keeping its upmarket appeal and being accessible, friendly and buzzing. Expect the rich and beautiful to descend upon this place in their droves - many coming from outside the hotel; however, rather than being cliquey, as long as you look the part you’ll be welcomed with open arms. The vibe is one of people out to have fun and let loose - all in a refined way, of course. The laughter and chatter is palpable, and the whole atmosphere is helped along by an excellent soundtrack of dance music. And don‘t be surprised to see the odd celebrity pop in - keen to enjoy a drink in luxury surroundings where they won‘t be hassled.

Especially worthy of note are the excellent staff who, even on busy nights, ensure that nobody is left unattended and everyone is well looked after. Table service means there’s no need to stand by the bar, waiting for a drink, and the genuine, warm service is professional - staff going that extra mile to please.

The Food
As you’d expect from a hotel that includes two of London’s pedigree restaurants (with a couple of Michelin stars thrown in for good measure), Blue Bar offers nothing but the best in terms of bar snacks. Food is expensive but delicious. Seared tuna in mirin soy is £9.50 for four small pieces, but tastes incredible - light, tender and rare it’s a healthy, delightful dish. The artichoke green asparagus wrapped in basil leaves is also delicious at £7.50 for four pieces. However, the piece de resistance is the crab with chives for £8.50. The best bar food in London. If you want to really splash the cash then you can order 30g of Beluga caviar with blinis and sour cream for £115.

The Drink
The drinks at the Blue Bar are what pushes this to a 5 star rating. Especially worthy of note is their excellent - if pricey - cocktail menu. Martinis cost £14.50, Champagne cocktails £15.50, their long and short options are £12.50 and their Deluxe, premium cocktails are £16; however, they are worth every penny. The Truffle martini (Stoli, Mozart chocolate liqueur, chocolate powder, truffle essence and cream) is a real delight, being light and creamy with a strong chocolate taste. For a coffee cocktail, go for the Tequila Expresso Martini (Partida Anejo Tequila, Patron XO liqueur, Toussant, coffee liqueur, sugar and double expresso) a variation on the vodka martini with a slight tequila flavour coming through. If you prefer your cocktails fruity then the Grape Smash (Ciroc, white and green grapes, vanilla sugar and Bollinger) plays on the developing cocktail trend for grapes as a central ingredient and has the subtle sweetness of the fruit mixed in a gently sparkling drink, although the Bollinger gets lost in the mix and could do with being more prominent. The traditional Rossini is a must if you want a stronger Champagne cocktail. However, their most interesting concoction is the Sundried Martini (Belvedere, sundried tomatoes, olive oil, tomato juice) - a delicately prepared drink with enough kick to blow your head off, the distinct Italian aromas will get your mouth watering.

If you prefer your alcohol pure then they have a great selection of wine. For the whites, they range from a reasonable £38 for a 2006 Chablis Burgundy to £340 for a 1999 Grand Cru. For the reds, you can choose from anything from a 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Australia to an incredible £1950 bottle of Chateau Cheval Blanc Grand Cru Bordeaux. Unsurprisingly, Champagne is popular and ranges from a reasonable £84 bottle of Bollinger to a whopping £2900 bottle of Dom Perignon Vintage 1959.

The spirit selection is equally as eclectic and exciting. There’s a huge range of vodka from Roberto Cavallis own brand at £18.50 a shot through to a Kauffmann Inaugaration Blend for £115 a shot. There’s a great range of Tequilla, including the rare Tapatio Family Reserve at £55 a shot and, unsurprisingly, a large selection of blended, Irish, Canadian, American and single malt whiskeys, whether you just fancy a cheap shot of £7 whiskey or wish to splash out on a £695 50ml shot of Ardbeg single malt. The crown, however, has to go to their range of cognacs. Ranging from an £18 shot of Grand Marnier through to an incredible £1300 50ml shot of Remy Martini Grand Louis XIII Black Pearl, they have everything covered. Finally, if you want to keep it simple then they have a decent bottled beer choice with Kasteel Cru, Bitburger, Peroni and St Peters ale all on offer for £6.50 a bottle.

The Last Word
The Blue Bar is an excellent all-rounder with top class drinks, food and service, all offered to you with a buzzing atmosphere, wrapped up in a beautiful little package. You may need to dip into your expense account or trust fund to afford to have a drink here, but who cares when it’s this good?

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