If you’re bored of mediocre cocktails and want to fall back in love with the art, then the Primo Bar at the newly launched Park Plaza Hotel, Westminster Bridge, is the place to visit.

The Venue
Situated at the foot of the hotly tipped Westminster Bridge development, Park Plaza is an easy find. As you go into the grand entrance, you go up the escalator and pan around to the right where you will find the large bar, Primo, brimming with the hustle and bustle of business people and travellers. As you look around you can see light fixtures which can be changed to suit an event or a mood. Going from a fiery red to a cool blue, it is a nice touch, particularly if you are hosting an event in this area.

The bar is rectangular, sleek and black in its appearance. The front of the bar is more of a social area, but you do feel a bit exposed, whereas if you make your way around to the left of the bar, it feels as if you are in your own space. Going around to the right you will find the private area where there are leather booths and floor-to-ceiling windows, giving you the most impressive views of London, one being Big Ben. It is quieter here and very relaxing.

The Atmosphere
Having only just opened not many people know about this bar so, at the moment, it is fairly quiet with only a few business people frequenting it. Expect this to change very quickly. At present it still has a very chilled feel, with great attention to detail exhibited by the highly experienced bar staff. They are incredibly professional and are constantly at hand to make sure that you are well looked after.

The Drink
The reason why this bar is more special than most is because of the outstandingly innovative cocktail menu. The cocktails are bespoke drinks devised by Aristotelis Papadopoulos, who won the title of the World Class Barman of the Year in 2009. On the front page of the menu, you will find a selection of cocktails that Aristotelis has personally created and trained staff at the Plaza how to make. These are all £9.50.

One of the signature concoctions, the Vita Vimi (white wine, vodka, red grapes, lychee juice, lemon and sugar syrup), is a wonderful drink to start the night off as it essentially tastes of grape juice. It is very light drink served in a wine glass with crushed red grapes at the bottom and tastes like it is perfect for hot summer nights. However, if you want a luxuriant and opulent tipple then the Plaza Vodka Creme Brulee will not disappoint. It is light and creamy at first but then the hazelnut liqueur (Frangelico) hits you with a warming touch. Although a very powerful drink, it has a lingering effect making you experience all of its elements and that’s the key to a good cocktail. If you want a manly cocktail then the Primo Maneki Neko is the drink for you. It involves Japanese whisky, bitters, cherry brandy, red Vermouth and Martini Rosso. It tastes like an intriguing blend of cloves, cinnamon and wine and even though there is whisky in it, which can be a bit strong for some, the flavour is quite subtle, making it easier to tackle.

If the cocktails on the menu do not take your fancy, you can ask the highly experienced mixologists to make you a drink which caters to your tastes. For instance if you ask for a drink which tastes like a tiramisu, they will create something that is pretty much spot on to that flavour.

Other drinks include a selection of different Martinis for £9.50, such as the Ichitini which consists of plum wine, Hendrick’s gin and pomegranate juice, and Long Drinks such as the Nashi Eyes containing rum, Nashi pear, peach liqueur, guava juice and oolong tea (£9).

The wine list is not as impressive as the cocktail list but it is affordable. A South African Chenin Blanc or an Italian Cabernet costs £18 for a bottle, £6.50 a large glass and £4.80 for a small. Surprisingly for a hotel in this area, it peaks at £26 for a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc and £25 for a Chilean Merlot.

The Last Word
The Park Plaza is ideally placed for fantastic views of London and currently boasts arguably the best cocktails in London - the quality and thought that goes into each of them is awe-inspiring.

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