Dirty Martini, Hanover Square, London – Review
Dirty Martini is one of the most unique, enjoyable and fun cocktail bars around. The drinks were beautiful, the décor is beautiful and the people are also – well, beautiful. It is located in the heart of fashionable Mayfair, nestled between Oxford Street and Bond Street and surrounded by top end restaurants.
Open till late most evenings, Dirty Martini`s can be found in both Hanover Square and Covent Garden, although, the latter is currently under refurbishment.
The members of staff are really good value for money; their cocktail making and bar skills are mesmerising affairs and make for a nice touch. This made for quite a nice distraction from a queue at the bar.
Dirty Martini describe their décor as an `Aladdin`s cave`. I would have to agree. Small booths make pockets of comfort, where couples can cuddle up and feel alone. In other areas, the décor is dazzlingly bright and is a feast for the eyes, making for a fun and buzzing environment. In others, it is seductively dark and intriguing. There is a place for everyone, where they can feel comfortable and at ease, whatever the mood!
The drinks!
The cocktail menu is a relatively concise exploration of cocktails old and new. There offering is a satisfying blend of sweet cocktails, sharp cocktails and cocktails which have that extra punch. There is also a wide selection of wines, beers, champagnes and other delicious tipples.
I tried one of my favourites and an all-time classic – Long Island Iced Tea. You can often tell how good a cocktail bar is by who it does the classics, so I gave it a whirl. The cocktail was well balanced, kept it`s refreshing flavour and cleansed the palate after dinner. I would say that it needed a little extra oomph, but that is just me. On the whole, it was an almost perfect tonic to a hectic London day.
We also tried the New York Dandy which contained the following: elements 8 rum shaken with apricot brandy, fresh orange, lime juice and then topped with prosecco. The fresh fruit elements perfectly complemented the rum and made for a gorgeous drink. One criticism I would have is that there seemed to be a lack of prosecco, but that is probably down to me being greedy!
You may also be interested to hear that Dirty Martini hosts events and singles nights throughout the year, so there really is something for everyone. For more information click here: http://dirtymartini.uk.com/