The May Fair Bar – London’s most special cocktail bar

Set in the May Fair hotel, (part of the Radisson Edwardian chain of hotels), this is no ordinary hotel bar, this is London’s most special cocktail bar – and it rocks!

None of the stuffy hotel bar atmosphere here. We arrived at 7.30 on a Tuesday evening to a bar, full of happy people and a buzzing vibe. The bar is just across the road from the Funky Buddah night club, so this is where the `in` crowd come to warm up and be seen. The Mayfair area, being one of the most affluent areas in London, is full of good bars, but this is the liveliest and most interesting hotel bar I have been to in a while. Will be going back!

Arriving at the Mayfair hotel is special. The foyer is welcoming and it has got that upmarket hotel feel when you walk in. We were met by Marios Elias the bar manager and head mixologist. Marios really knows his cocktails and is a very pleasant gentleman. We were seated at a table by the door, perfect for people watching and what a lot of lovely people to watch – a really interesting mixed crowd of post-work and party people.

Marios was very attentive and went through the cocktail menu with us.

My champagne taste was catered for with a Schiaparelli to start – pure delight! Freshly `squeezed` watermelon and champagne – with a sliver of watermelon on the glass. I could smell and taste the fresh watermelon, the taste was exquisite. My guest had a taste – the best she had very had!

The Temptation champagne cocktail went down a treat with Sara – Subrowka (a Polish vodka with a herbal flavoured bison grass), Champbord raspberry liqueur, lemon juice and guava juice, topped with Duval Leroy Brut, topped with a blackberry!

There is a good cocktail selection – not too many but covers everything from the classics to many interesting extras, all explained in an upmarket mixology booklet on each table. There is the Classics, Champagne cocktails, Long cocktails, Martini cocktails, then the Flights – a unique fusion of cocktails and dishes. Prices range from £11 which is very affordable, particularly in this part of town to many more pounds for the May Fair Martini!

Moving on with our cocktail tasting – Marios, again explained in detail our choices and recommended according to our tastes. I enjoyed the Raspberry Ripple – a delicious combination of raspberries, lemon and Campari topped with Duval Leroy Brut, with the obligatory plump raspberry and mint hooked to the glass. It was slightly sweet for me, but then I am a real champagne girl.

Sara opted for the May Fair Mojito cocktail – the signature creation. Bacardi Gold rum, vanilla sugar, lime, fresh mint and lemon juice. The tall glass was filled with crushed ice and mint and looked divine – also tasted divine!

We were offered the bar food menu – a really good selection of well priced food. Marios recommended the Bento Box platter which was a wonderful tasty selection of Asian dim sum, Maki sushi rolls, sweet chilli king prawns, soft shell crab tempura and spring rolls. The food was very good – generous portions and great value when sharing. There were 5 other platters available, ranging from duck, seafood and vegetarian to Middle Eastern.

Further drinks consisted of champagne with our food selection. We were also offered the dessert menu, but declined. The staff were constantly looking after us and appeared calm and professional through the entire evening, even serving a birthday cake with candles to the table next to us, with a bar full of revellers!

The décor of the bar area is very modern and tasteful – bright and imaginative. Marios did mention about the Magnum bar, so Sunny (who looked after us towards the end of the evening) guided me through the throng of party people to a very posh area filled with soft couches and dim lights. This area is exclusive to the champagne drinkers with magnums in mind – very trendy and filled with footballers and their partners.

Marios also pointed out that the May Fair bar is presenting Sunday Girl – London`s hottest DJ, mixing the music on Sunday nights in the bar, launching on 19th February – even more reason to enjoy this fabulous venue.

This award winning bar is definitely the place to be – it`s cool, trendy, impressive, well priced, great attentive staff – get yourself there!