The story
Tucked into the elegant Connaught hotel on Carlos Place, the Connaught Bar has firmly established itself as a premier destination for London’s cocktail enthusiasts. The venue has earned significant acclaim, with Davide di Fabio, Head Chef of della Gioconda, naming it the best cocktail bar in the world. Visitors frequently highlight the bar's genuine Italian hospitality and the remarkable professionalism of its staff, which fosters a welcoming community spirit that keeps guests returning.
While the experience comes at a premium, the technical prowess on display makes it a worthwhile investment. Creators have been particularly impressed by the bar's signature drinks, including the Connaught Martini and the Bloody Mary, alongside creative standouts like the Icebreaker and Kindred Joy. For those seeking a refined, elevated atmosphere in the heart of London, the Connaught Bar remains an essential stop for any serious cocktail lover.
Synthesised by AI from every creator’s review. First reviewed 2023.
Most-loved dishes
AI summary of what 6 dish mentions say about the food
Reviewers celebrate the Connaught Bar’s Icebreaker as a standout, praising its theatrical presentation and complex flavors. The overall vibe is one of refined, convivial luxury, where every dish feels like a masterful performance.
“This cocktail represents the moment of breaking the ice when entering a bar. It's made with banana juice fermented for 5 days with a vanilla pod, pisco, Appleton 12 rum, amontillado sherry, and roasted peanut butter. It's served with two blocks of ice joined with a banana leaf, and you break the ice when the drink is finished. The flavors change with temperature — if not cold, it becomes too sweet. The large ice cube melts less quickly, avoiding extreme dilution. The banana aftertaste gives it a very greedy general note, really pleasant to drink.”
What creators say
1 creator has covered Connaught Bar. Most active: Cosa mangiamo oggi?
The Connaught Bar is a world-class cocktail bar in London with incredible professionalism, amazing cocktails like the Connaught Martini and Bloody Mary, and a welcoming atmosphere that makes the experience worth the price.
Dishes mentioned
Connaught Martini
This is the signature cocktail of the Connaught Bar, served for 15 years. It's a classic martini made with Connaught Bar gin, three vermouths (dry, extra dry, white), Amalfi Coast lemon peel, and Castelvetrano olives. The ice is slowly cooled to be completely crystalline. The bartender aerates it by pouring from above. I find it super good — the martini is a drink for purists, so fewer ingredients make it harder to get right, like a good aglio e olio. I love the lemon peel and the coriander seeds, which give a very interesting aftertaste.
Bloody Mary
This is the Connaught Bar's version of the Bloody Mary. It's made with 100ml fresh tomato juice, lemon, 50ml vodka, and a spicy mix of tabasco, English mustard, horseradish, coriander soy sauce, chili, and Maldon salt. It's served in a short stem coup without ice, topped with fresh celery air and nutmeg. I'm super excited — it's very thirst-quenching. The tomato juice itself is almost sweet, while the foamy part gives it the savory note. I really like the celery mousse that gives the taste without being a foreign element like a celery stalk you don't eat. The freshness of the celery introduces the tomato in a different way.
Icebreaker
This cocktail represents the moment of breaking the ice when entering a bar. It's made with banana juice fermented for 5 days with a vanilla pod, pisco, Appleton 12 rum, amontillado sherry, and roasted peanut butter. It's served with two blocks of ice joined with a banana leaf, and you break the ice when the drink is finished. The flavors change with temperature — if not cold, it becomes too sweet. The large ice cube melts less quickly, avoiding extreme dilution. The banana aftertaste gives it a very greedy general note, really pleasant to drink.
Kindred Joy
This drink represents the joy experienced inside the bar. It's based on mezcal tequila, some chili and tomato liqueur, and grapefruit soda. It's carbonated and served in a champagne bottle. Topped with an essence of grapefruit and basil for a more herbaceous note. Delicious.
Pizza Margherita
We got the pizza cold because we were chatting, but it looked delicious. Even cold, it's delicious. The rice has this crunchy external crust which is very pleasant. Truffle, wow, very good.
