This one is really going to hurt your credit card. But then, who cares when the drinks are so good and the setting so beautiful?

The Venue
When you’ve just finished a hard day’s shopping in Harrods and you’re sashaying down the road from Knightsbridge Tube station, it’s hard to ignore the in-your-face opulence of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, which beckons you in with its large swathes of marble. Of course, dahling, it must be cocktail time…

Stepping into the Mandarin Bar, you’ll be met with an almost theatrical space that has a more funky look to it than the rest of the traditionally luxurious hotel. The bar is almost catwalk-like and is a bold centrepiece to the room. They don’t keep their bottles on display, instead partially hiding them behind frosted, backlit glass walls. The decor is warming and opulent, helped along by the beige silk that covers the walls, and the leather and mohair armchairs and sofa-style seating are as beautiful as they are comfortable. This is all highlighted by lots of mirrored surfaces, marble and high-gloss woods.

The Atmosphere
The atmosphere at the Mandarin Bar is in contrast to many of the more subdued five star hotel bars that pepper London, in that it’s very upbeat. This is where the beautiful people come to strut their stuff and the moneyed come to lavish attention on them. It may not be the most heart-warming mix of people you’ll have ever seen, but it’s certainly one that is out to have fun. Luckily, the staff manage to remind you that you’re in five star surroundings with their, frankly, pitch-perfect service that mixes genuine friendliness with perfect professionalism.

The Drink
Of course, the Mandarin Bar offers the finest wines, best champagnes and some of the world’s most expensive whiskies and cognacs, but this is a bar that really prides itself on its cocktails. And it sets itself apart from other bars with an incredible attention to detail when it comes to the glassware, turning a simple cocktail into a beautiful work of art, minus the flashy gimmicks.

Of course, you will be paying through the nose for the privilege of drinking here. Cocktails START at £16 a drink and quickly rise into the £20+ region for martinis and champagne cocktails made with quality spirits. But the craftsmanship of these drinks really is second to none. They mix a mean Vesper here, combining gin, vermouth and vodka into a perfectly balanced drink that somehow allows each of these strong spirits to shine and not overpower the rest. The clarity is also excellent, served perfectly chilled but with no ice crystals contaminating it. Alternatively, the classic bellini is spot-on. The champagne is the overriding flavour - as it should be - with the peach puree just adding a slight sweetness to combat the dryness of the champers. And it gets the balance just right.

The Last Word
Bring the credit card and leave your money spending guilt checked in at the door. Mandarin Bar is an exercise in extravagance but with a big hit of quality.

venue information venue map view london review user reviews (1) image gallery (3)