The Manhattan Bar and Terrace is as suave and polished as its clientele. Everything you want from a hotel bar in Canary Wharf.

The Venue
The Manhattan Bar and Terrace is situated inside the five star Marriott Hotel, which stands tall on the West India Quayside - a stones throw from the Manhattan-style skyscrapers of Canary Wharf. Although it’s overshadowed by the more obvious waterfront bars and restaurants along the quay, this exclusivity is what makes this hotel bar such a nice find – a pleasant respite from the madcap antics of Canary Wharfers letting loose after a tough day in the office.

Upon an elevated, decked and rather large terrace laden with chrome tables and chairs as well as the obligatory outdoor heaters, there lies a gateway from the beautifully architected outside to the equally attractively designed interior. The neon red and yellow sign hanging in the floor-to-ceiling windows hints at the drinking holes of yesteryear in New York City and upon entering you are instantly drawn into a cosy retreat in the heart of a fast paced financial district. The impossibly immaculate, contemporary decor feels synonymous with other high-end hotel bars, yet the eccentric mix of comfortable blood-red leather bar stools, a sleek black granite bar and light wood features add an extra, individual touch to this refurbished establishment.

A sizeable, low-lit lounge area to the right of the bar provides an ideal place to sink into the luxurious crimson sofas with a bottle of white and unwind after a hard day’s work. Two large plasma screens adorn the walls, avidly showing live sports making this a very versatile environment to enjoy a beer or a refreshing cocktail on your own or with colleagues. The space is well utilised providing enough room for intimate drinks, yet there is a generous scattering of seating for larger groups to also relax comfortably. Wireless connection throughout the bar and terrace also makes this a great place to check your emails for those all-important business updates.

The Atmosphere
Late afternoons at the Manhattan Bar and Terrace offer a great chance to wind down and catch your thoughts whilst lazing in the lounge area with an ice-cold drink, and as the evening progresses the bar gradually fills with a sociable mix of local office workers and those staying in the hotel. Thursday sees suited and booted bankers descend in their droves, seeking a release from a busy week on the trading floor and the ever accommodating staff are more than prepared with their broad range of Manhattan Madness drink promotions. Perhaps surprisingly for an area that sleeps at the weekend, Saturday nights also draws in a thirsty crowd after they spill out of the nearby O2 Arena. You can expect to find thirtysomething businessmen and women reclining on stylish bar stools whilst getting one of their five a day from an apple martini, punching furiously into their Blackberries with one hand and flicking through the crocodile-skin cocktail menu with the other.

The crowd is certainly more sophisticated here than in the neighbouring bars in the area, which makes you feel a lot more comfortable in your surroundings, although don’t be fooled into thinking this is a pretentious hotel bar. The staff are not only experts in their field but are keen to keep the customers entertained. Whether it’s creating an exclusive cocktail for a regular hotel guest or chatting away like old friends with new customers, it is definitely the staff that set this bar above the rest. The smooth, slumber-inducing sounds of Frank Sinatra combined with a mixture of jazz and blues accompany the American-influenced menu perfectly and you could be forgiven for sinking down into your leather chair and drifting into a blissful (Bloody Mary induced) sleep.

The Food
What’s surprising about this bar is the rather large food menu offering a variety of nibbles and snacks ranging from the all-American and eternally popular Manhattan Burger (£12.50) to the Asian-inspired beef teriyaki (£8.50). Vegetarians are also well catered for with bites such as a scrumptious veggie sandwich (£10.50) to chow down on. Sharing platters are also offered, which is a great choice for larger groups and a particular favourite with work parties. Although not cheap, the prices are in line with other restaurants and bars in the Canary Wharf area and is also reflective of the clientele that this bar attracts.

The Drink
The extensive drinks menu at Manhattan Bar and Terrace is really quite special with a wide selection of wine, beer, spirits, Champagne and cocktails. There is a simple Champagne selection with a bottle of Veuve Clicquot setting you back £60. Beers are a reasonable £3.50 a bottle and special promotions such as Thursday’s Bucket Beer night attract testosterone-fuelled guys from the nearby banks like moths to a flame. The usual spirits are available with tequilas and gin galore (£7 for Gordons) as well as a solid martini menu.

Highly recommended for those with a sweet tooth is the exclusive chilli chocolate martini (£9), which is not only expertly made but beautifully presented in an ornate curved martini glass. The chilli cuts through the creamy, rich chocolate to produce a well balanced drink. You can’t visit the bar without trying one of the many innovative cocktails, proudly created by the in-house mixologists. The classics are proudly offered among new versions such as the zesty yet potent apple mojito. Every four weeks a cocktail of the month is concocted and awarded. The helpful bar staff are eager to experiment and create a cocktail individual to your needs, so don’t be afraid to ask. Cigars and cigarettes are also available with the cigars taking pride of place on the centre of the bar.

The Last Word
With faultless service, a great cocktail menu and a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, Manhattan Bar and Terrace proves itself as so much more than just another aesthetically pleasing hotel bar.

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