The Crystal Bar is a new and exciting venue on the banks of the river Thames at the newly christened Left Bank, Battersea. Here you can enjoy the wizardry and expertise of mixologists who create cocktails and Martinis to order. The experience is intimate, fun and memorable with a chic coolness and laidback style to stimulate the senses. The notion of 5-star treatment at affordable prices is alive and well in SW11.

The Venue
The bar forms part of the eco-friendly, five-star, Hotel Rafayel, brainchild of property developer, Iqbal Latif. It is located on the opposite side of the river to Chelsea Harbour, and represents part of the ongoing regeneration of the Battersea riverfront. The bar sits adjacent to the Battersea Heliport where many business travellers land in London. It also forms part of the Thames Path where tourists and locals enjoy the view.

The bar has been specially designed to offer a panoramic view of the river Thames and its glass frontage ensures an enviable vantage point. Inside, low ceilings, cool purple and green lighting, halogen candles, a long flowing bar and exquisite floral displays create a warm, relaxed environment which is stirred but not shaken by the sounds of Motown and other soulful classics. The summer months provide plenty of alfresco drinking opportunities for hotel guests, locals and passers-by looking to enjoy a chilled glass of wine or something more adventurous. The bar is ideal setting for celebrations of all occasions.

The Atmosphere
The Crystal Bar has resident mixologists who create a wide range of classic cocktails and special signature drinks. Their extensive knowledge adds an exciting dimension to any social occasion and the impeccably dressed bar staff are an efficient and helpful presence in a warm and friendly environment. The clientele are a mixture of hotel guests and anyone who enjoys a well mixed cocktail or a chilled glass of wine in a stylish environment. All age groups comfortably co-exist in a refined atmosphere where comfort, style and sophistication add a star quality.

The Drink
The cocktails are fantastic. The strawberry and vanilla Champagne is carefully prepared with fresh strawberries simmered for about 10-minutes with vodka, sugar and vanilla liqueur. This mixture is then left for 48-hours before being served. It certainly provides a quirky alternative to the standard Kir Royale and the £9.50 price tag sends the right message to the Chelsea set paying considerably more.

The Rafayel Special Cocktail consists of raspberry vodka, lychee liquer, pomegranate juice and fresh raspberries. The sprig of mint completes the resplendence and it is served over a stack of crushed ice. It is the visual representation of the word refreshing. Priced at £8.50, the Special is dangerously good and a non-alcoholic time out is on hand in the form of the Virgin Cocktails, priced at £5.95, where various fruit-based creations steady the pace.

It is almost a pity to settle for a range of beers, a list that includes the ubiquitous Peroni, Guinness, Asahi and Becks, each priced at £3.95. Slightly more interesting are the bottled ales - Innocent Gun and London Pride, but the Crystal Bar is so much more than a bottled beer bank and to miss out on the exotic cocktail concoctions is simply irresponsible. Having said that, the wine list is impressive, with around fifty varieties on offer. House starts at £4.25 a glass or £17.50 for bottles bearing the name of a respected French producer. There’s also an organic range from the US-based Bonterra vineyard (£27.50 a bottle). And house Champagne is Perrier-Jouet, which is available for £11 a glass or £45 a pop.

The Last Word
The Hotel Rafayel’s Crystal Bar has the potential to become a mecca for cocktail lovers. The spectre of Chelsea Harbour need not be an intimidating one as The Crystal is not at all out of place in terms of style and sophistication. Indeed, you can imagine James Bond dropping out of a helicopter and landing effortlessly into the throng, a glass of Martini in one hand and a beautiful Martina in the other. It certainly deserves to create a Battersea set at the forefront of a stylish new social setting on London’s Left Bank and could easily develop into the place to be seen.

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