Barchick Says

When Yankee bartenders found themselves out of work thanks to Prohibition, some jumped the pond to find work, the best ones came here. The bartenders over the years have become as famous as the constant stream of celebrity guests who frequent the place. Harry Craddock’s Savoy Cocktail Book is still the bartender’s bible, and Frank Sinatra used to sneak in after hours to play the piano. You get it, this place is legendary.

The guys behind the bar are up there with the best of them, in fact head bartender Erik Lorincz was crowned World’s Best Bartender. The menu is like a cocktail history lesson, with many of the classics originating from the bar itself, and the glassware and finishings really are stunning. We say head for one of the four bar stools and watch those white jacketed geniuses at work. Try the White Lady, a classic with gin and egg white, or Malecon, the drink that made Erik famous, made with Bacardi rum, Tawny port, Oloroso sherry, lime juice and bitters. Oh, and say hi to Johnny on the piano for us, he’s almost as legendary as Frank, and yes he takes requests…

They serve bar snacks during the day, you’ll probably have to line up to get in, and yes you’ll have to dress nicely. Come on – it’s not a pub and they don’t allow dozens of people to pack in and elbow each other at the bar, so you can relax and enjoy your £14 drink in peace. It should be worth every penny, just.