I love hotel bars, especially classy, alluring, sharp and sexy ones, and the newly refurbished Blue Bar, at the Berkeley, has just become my new favourite in Knightsbridge, an area full of opulence, splendour and amazing hotels, restaurants and shops.
The refurbishment of the Blue Bar was commissioned to Rob Angell, a protege of previous designer, David Collins. I love the luxe upholstery, the red and blue carpets, and the extension on the side, which is perfect for summer. It has maintained its classic look with some very upbeat and contemporary modifications.
The design is very trendy and luxe without being ostentatious. In fact, it feels so relaxed, has an excellent vibe and ambience and is just gorgeous.
The menu is colour coded, by strength of the cocktail, ranging from green, which are the least alcoholic, yellow to mimic the hues of champagne and thus are celebratory cocktails, red for strong and classics, suited for the more adventurous palettes, and finally blue, the colour of the bar and representing their signature cocktails. What is fantastic is that there is a mocktail choice in each colour category, so if you don’t drink or are having a dry night, you don’t have to miss out on a good looking drink!
The very well stocked bar is illuminated by a light purple shade, and it is just so beautiful elegant and dreamy. I loved watching the bartenders making their drinks.
We settled into luxurious and very comfortable seats and went through the very interesting and innovative menu to decide what cocktails to have. It was our date night so we were toasting the end of a very busy week and spending some much needed quality time together.
Upon recommendation from the waitress, Amit went for the alluring sound of Smoke and Mirrors (£21.00), which is one of the Signature cocktails. Described as:
Indulgent with a sensory explosion of bitter, oral and oaky flavours . Michter’s rye barrel strength whiskey, benedictine, toasted cinnamon, sacred rosehip, herbal drops, madeira and sherry blend.
The best part of this cocktail was the theatrical bar tending that led to the final concoction in the very classy, and manly glass, much to Amit’s delight. It was very captivating to watch.
It was so much fun to watch it being made, with smoke, the use of interesting equipment and just extremely clever mixology! I was told that in the near future, the exciting production of the cocktails would happen at the table so I can’t wait to return for that!
I chose the Toffee and Bubbles (£21.00), which had sweet velvety tones of caramel and vanilla with toasted spice. It was a blend of Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva salted toffee, hazelnut and Ruinart Blanc de Blancs. The rim had chocolate which was so scrumptious so every sip was decadent. Toffee and bubbles is the perfect indulgent combination.
Just look at those cocktails! Elegant, sexy and utterly delicious.
Obligatory champagne pouring shot!
I also tried the Lady Bird, which was from the green, therefore easy going, low alcohol range, but it was so delicious and easy to drink that I think if I had 3 of these I would be very tipsy happy.
It was a blend of Ketel One vodka, goji Sancerre, bergamot, rhubarb and watermelon soda.
The Blue Bar is fashionable, swanky, uptown and chic and I envisage many more evenings spent here over some seriously good cocktails. I did have a sneak peek at the bar food menu and there was a really good choice available.
The venue is perfect for a date night, catch up with friends pre or post dinner, a business meeting or client entertainment or to celebrate a special occasion.
For more information go to: http://www.the-berkeley.co.uk/knightsbridge-bars/blue-bar/
I popped in for a drink recently – the champagne cocktails are divine! x
So delicious!!!
Looks amazing, Binny! I’ve read a lot about the refurbishment and I’d love to pop in soon! Love the sound of the cocktail menu! x
Its amazing lovely xx