Straight out of regency times, The Library Bar offers superb service and sophistication in a stylish gentleman’s private club setting.

The Venue
Situated in the 5 star Lanesborough Hotel on Hyde Park Corner, The Library Bar is a few moments walk from Hyde Park Corner tube station or Knightsbridge, though you’d really do well to let the driver take the strain here and arrive in a Bentley. The imposing and grand hotel entrance can be a little confusing with hidden rooms scattered in all directions, but ask the concierge and he’ll point you through to the bar, which boasts wood panelled walls, deep red and brown comfy leather armchairs and, unsurprisingly, shelves laden down with heavy tomes. The tables are packed closely together, creating an intimate feel.

The Atmosphere
Drinking at The Library Bar feels like stepping back in time, to a forgotten era where bar staff were humble and discreet, and men gathered in dark rooms to speak in hushed tones and thrash out the politics of the day. These days, there are women too, and the topics of conversation may have changed, but the clientele here still behave themselves with a refined elegance and sophistication, and the staff are as keen as ever to bring you whatever you may need or explain the cocktail menu or the cognacs to you. There’s an older clientele than you might find in most London cocktail bars, and the buzz in the room makes you imagine them to be real power players, but the formal service and hushed conversation can make the room feel occasionally stilted and awkward – you may even find yourself embarrassed standing up to leave as all eyes turn to you.

The Food
The Library Bar offers a light menu of chicken and burgers, club sandwiches and snacks - pretty standard fare prepared with top quality ingredients, most of which are organic. You’ll pay top dollar for the food here, just as you would expect in a 5 star hotel bar. You may find you don’t need to order food though – the waiters bring every table some delicious vegetable crisps to snack on, and they circulate with plates of canapes for every table with delicacies and nibbles including foie gras blinis and figs to try, all at no charge.

The Drink
The drinks prices here will frighten away all but the aforementioned Bentley drivers, with the cheapest cocktails being £12.50 and some cognacs climbing to four figure price tags. The drinks list is long, presented to you as an old library book, and featuring vintage cognacs, armagnacs, modern and classic cocktails and several champagnes, most of which are offered by the glass. A must-try is the Lanesborough champagne cocktail, which blends champagne, fresh orange juice, gin, vodka and limoncello for a fresh mandarin flavour.

The Last Word
The Library Bar at the Lanesborough Hotel competes in a fierce marketplace, going up against the Ritz and Claridges. The service is impeccable, and with added treats like fresh canapes brought to your table or the pianist in the corner, you won’t be able to help yourself from feeling you’ve truly arrived. However, the drinks prices are very steep and the atmosphere can border on uncomfortable if you don’t enjoy over-formality.

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