If You Love a Martini, Here’s Where to Go in London

It is now 150 years since several cocktails beginning evolving into what became the martini and generations of drinkers will tell you that several decades ago it reached a state of perfection. Primarily developed in the US and built around Italian spirits, the martini has London buried deeply in its DNA.

London dry gin was an essential component by the early 1920s, and the most famous devotee of the martini insisted that his his tipples were “shaken, not stirred” in the best bars and clubs of the British capital.Check out this list to find some of the best martinis in London.

Duke’s Bar

This is the iconic place where regular customer Ian Fleming decided how James Bond would like his signature drink prepared. Located off St. James’s Street, this intimate and comfortably dim bar draws pilgrims who are desperate to o sample the house version: three measures of Gordon’s gin, one of vodka and half of Kina Lillet – not vermouth.

The bar has also formulated an updated version in honour of Spectre. The Evensong Martini adds notes of pomegranate-infused tea, Sicilian blood orange liquer and orange zest.

Address: St James’s Place, Mayfair, SW1A 1NY Phone: 020 7491 4840 Website: www.dukeshotel.com/dukes-bar  Nearest tube station: Green Park

American Bar

This bar in the Savoy Hotel is responsible for many of the classics we hold dear today. Acclaimed as one of the best bars in the world, its head bartender, Erik Lorincz, has been roped in as a consultant for 007 and his film franchise. Any time a signature drink is required for a film, Erik has a hand in it. Other classic cocktails like the Hanky Panky and the White Lady were developed in this bar.

In the Savoy you will also find the Beaufort Bar, which is more experimental. Imagine cigars infused into cocktails and smoking creations. The American Bar is more of a classic Art Deco venue. Pianists play in both.

Address: Savoy Hotel, Strand, WC2R 0EU Phone: 020 7836 4343 Website: www.fairmont.com/savoy-london/dining/americanbar/  Nearest tube station: Embankment

Artesian

Since Artesian has been voted the best bar in the world for four consecutive years, expect everything it produces to be the pinnacle of mixology. Unlike other bars, Artesian focuses on the ingredient that is used the least – vermouth.

Their artisanal vermouths range from oriental yuzu and nori to warm espresso and almonds. To complete the experience they serve their drinks in bespoke silver glasses, as that keeps them at the optimal temperature range for longer.

Address: The Langham, 1 Portland Place, Marylebone, W1B 1JA Phone: 020 7636 1000 Website: www.artesian-bar.co.uk/   Nearest tube station: Oxford Circus

Connaught Bar

This bar perhaps has the most expressive form of martini making. Its famous martini trolley is one of the biggest reasons for them being ranked among the top 10 bars in the world. You can enjoy the theatrics of the bartender, as he mixes your drinks in front of you, and ask for any combination of delicately layered spirits and subtle flavours.

Address: The Connaught, Carlos Place, Mayfair, W1K 2AL Phone: 020 7314 3419

Website: www.the-connaught.co.uk/mayfair-bars/connaught-bar Nearest tube station: Marble Arch

The Egerton House Bar

Tucked away in a hotel that feels more like a discreet town house, you could quite easily walk past here without realising that it hosts one of the world’s finest martini bars. One of the most comfortable bars in London, it offers the “classic” martini, as modern purists call it, essentially ice-cold gin with just the right amount of vermouth.

Address: 17-19 Egerton Terrace, Knightsbridge, SW3 2BX Phone: 020 7589 2412

Website: egertonhousehotel.com/food-and-drink/the-bar  Nearest tube station: South Kensington

69 Colbrooke Row

This bar does not do run-of-the-mill. Its cocktail menu uses ingredients develop in the venue’s own Drink Factory, a research and development laboratory.

Its martinis are “drier” than normal dry martinis. This little bar tucked just around the corner from Islington Green, near Angel, has created a “dry essence” distilled from olives that is included in the house martini mix, producing what is probably the world’s driest martini!

Address: 69 Colebrooke Row, Islington, N1 8AA  Phone: 07540 528 593  Website: www.69colebrookerow.com/#about  Nearest tube station: Angel

The Seven Stars

Unlike the others on this list, The Seven Stars falls under the traditional pub category. In fact it is a Grade II listed public house dating back to the 17th Century. Sitting behind the Royal Courts of Justice in the heart of London’s legal district, this bar is ideal for those with a bottomless thirst and smaller pockets. The only cocktail on the menu is the martini so it is a specialty. The martinis are expertly made yet they are cheaper here than anywhere else on our elite list.

Address: 53-54 Carey Street, Holborn, WC2A 2JB  Phone: 020 7242 8521  Nearest tube station: Temple

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