A snug bar that’s part of the 5-star Capital Hotel in Knightsbridge, The Capital Bar offers an intimate space to retreat after a day’s shopping, or for a pre-meal drink if you’re dining in the hotel’s esteemed restaurant.

The Venue
Ambitious hotel bars tend to try and style themselves as destinations in their own right these days, but The Capital Bar is very much part of the old school. With its dense wooden-panelling and carpeted floors it almost feels like you’ve made it into the 19th hole of a desirable private golf club. As your gaze wanders around the room, you half expect to see a list of the previous winners of the Senior Four Ball Championship commemorated on a plaque on the wall.

The Atmosphere
With only a handful of seats on offer, it’s a very intimate affair. You might encounter a group of hotel residents from Scotland sipping malt whiskies and G&Ts, whilst a couple of thirtysomething guys work their way through some of the cocktails in the corner. Like the restaurant, which you can partially see and hear from the bar, the mood is ultra-relaxed and hushed. Staff are diligent and acquiescent at all times.

The Drink
Malts and brandies are served in traditional globular glasses, but it’s the cocktail menu that offers the most contemporary selection. Pages and pages of creations are on offer, with champagne-based concoctions given top billing. From a range of martinis, the ginger and thyme version (around £11) is flecked with fresh ginger which gives the classic drink a new lease of life. Other tipples, like the Tatanka, simply mix a good slug of Zubrowka vodka with fresh apple juice and ice.

The Last Word
Whilst it’s a world away from trying to be a destination in its own right, The Capital Bar is a functional, traditional hotel bar that’s a quiet and comfortable retreat for anyone who runs a mile at the prospect of a sitting in a highly stylised, glossy hotel bar.

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