Find out who has the most delicious cocktails in London, and you’ll be directed to the renowned West End hotel bars at The Connaught and Dukes London. They are known for their beautiful setting, British style, and delicious martinis. The historical establishments are headed by Alessandro Palazzi at Dukes and Agostino Perrone at The Connaught. Both gentlemen have graciously expressed their opinions about this city that they love, which confirms my view that bartenders are a great source of advice for travelers in the area.
“Bartenders are like concierges,” Perrone explained. “We are familiar with all the people as well as the establishments as well as the insiders of the local bar scene, and even beyond. The bartending network is extremely close, and we have access to a reliable bartender and bar everywhere in the globe.”
In the words of Palazzi, “The bartender is always the ideal person to inquire about local suggestions. Bartenders aren’t there to pour a drink. We help whenever we can. We’re ambassadors, and we try to behave as if we were in the hotel but were unfamiliar with the area.”
The experts have resided in London for almost 70 years. After completing catering college in Italy, Palazzi came to London in 1975. Since then, he’s chosen London as his permanent base while also visiting Paris as well as Los Angeles. Perrone has been a resident of London for over 20 years. He was employed for five of those years in an iconic Central London Bar where he got to know some of his most influential mentors and also their wife, Gaby. He received the chance to change his life, in his own words, and to oversee the re-opening of the Connaught Bar. Here’s where they recommend that you should have one of these drinks following time in London.
London’s Best Bar Scene and New Places to Imbibe
As per Perrone, “These days, the London bar scene is more vibrant and more diverse than ever. There are a myriad of areas with excellent bars, from our adored Mayfair and its surrounding areas and all the way to Soho along with East London, with Shoreditch, Bethnal Green, and Hackney. Every neighborhood is distinct and their bars, however they are each one is equally entertaining.” Palazzi’s response was unambiguous. “Mayfair, absolutely!”
A few of the spots that were newly named included “The Painter’s Room at Claridge’s and Amaro Bar located in Kensington with chef Elon Soddu. The bar offers “outstanding twists on classics served by an enthusiastic team of former hotel bar professionals.” Equal Parts located in Hackney The bar is “a new favorite,” according to Perrone, “bringing a European aperitif style of drinks and flair to a very curated yet unassuming space.”
Palazzi mentions the Lyaness, “set within the famous Sea Containers at the foot of Tower Bridge. They’re really innovative, constantly changing the menu regularly. Fantastic bartenders and an amazing place.”
London’s Pubs are a Must
Sometimes, the casual setting of a pub might be needed, and our experts agree. “There’s nothing more authentic than your local pub, so for me, it has to be The Pig’s Head in Clapham or The Guinea Grill in Mayfair,” Perrone told us.
“When you’re in London make sure you go to an authentic pub. Not a chain establishment however, but a traditional pub. This is what I recommend every time: a visit to a classic pub,” Palazzi told T + L. “For instance, close to us is a place known as the Red Lion. Also, the Grenadier located in Knightsbridge is said to be the inventor of the Bloody Mary. The drink is famous in the area. This is a true pub I highly recommend.”
The Famed Martinis of The Connaught and Dukes London
Perrone and Palazzi both agree that high-quality ingredients are essential to making the perfect martini. Perrone said to T+L, “The perfect martini for us is the Connaught Martini because it features gins — such as our in-house distilled Connaught Bar Gin — that can withstand dilution. We also use a mix of three different dry vermouths to enhance all the botanicals of the spirit, crystal clear ice, and an aromatic bitter of choice for a cocktail that offers the perfect balance of dilution, texture, and flavors.” The final element, Perrone adds, is the “theatrical high pour, which not only conveys the necessary aeration to the mix but also adds that touch of genuine glamour and engagement that elevates the cocktail and the moment.”
In the words of Palazzi, “For a perfect drink, temperature as well as execution are essential. As with any drink that has the alcohol only, and in this instance martinis must be chilled. Should you mix or shake it the drink, you should ensure there isn’t too much discoloration. At Dukes we can put gin in a freezer or vodka, which makes the process a bit longer, but delivering better outcomes.” He added, “Many bartenders think that olives and lemons are just decorations but this is incorrect. Olive oil and lemons are also components. When it comes to olives, it’s crucial that they are of a natural origin. We make use of Nocerella olives which are easy to prepare and delicious.” “There’s there’s no recipe for the perfect martini. It’s all about temperature, the execution as well as the components.”
Why These West End Hotel Bars Should Be on Your Itinerary
“Dukes is tucked away in one of the most beautiful parts of London — St. James’s,” Palazzi declared. There is Jermyn Street and Buckingham Palace just across the street. The area has been historically close to prestigious companies such as Berry Bros. & Rudd, Lock & Co. Hatters, along with Truefitt & Hill. The establishments have been around for a long time. If you visit Lock & Co., you learn that they designed this hat called the Bowler hat. In Berry Bros., one of the oldest spirit and wine merchants around the globe, You can shop with a vendor who is looking at the wines for Buckingham Palace if you stop by Truefitt & Hill, the oldest barbershop you can, and find a traditional of grooming that is worth a look. There is a rich history all around us. And when you leave Dukes, which, to my mind and with the most delicious martinis on the planet, You will discover that you’ve been on the true British travel through time.”
“London is the best combination of styles and cultures and the scene at bars is a reflection of this city. Today, you’ll discover outstanding bars across London, ranging from groovy independent bars, to more European-style bars, sophisticated and traditional hotel bars and others,” Perrone said. “There’s a great venue for every taste and occasion, and one must try to discover as many as possible when in London.”
A fascinating footnote to the interviews. When asked their top London bars to meet for a date, Perrone said he’d prefer to stay at the home of his spouse, Gaby. Palazzi said, “Apart from Dukes, for a date, my favorite one is the bar at The Connaught Hotel.”
