If you look the part (no jeans), the waiter will allow you to sit at a table, or you’ll be left to perch at the bar chatting to the surprisingly humorous mixologists. There’s also a pianist who, instead of tinkling out the classics, is playing a range of Eighties music and modern sounds, such as Coldplay. Rather than being pretentious, it works, creating an image that wouldn’t look out of place in a Bond film.
THE GRUB: Snack on the complimentary nuts and olives. Or, if you want to splash out, come here for afternoon tea, which is priced at £55pp.
BEHIND THE BAR: Bubbles. And lots of them, including rare vintages. There’s a Methuselah (six litres) of Cristal on sale for £16,400. We pass on that and order cocktails. The Impressionist (cherry marnier, raspberry and rose cordial, violette liqueur and champagne) is bizarrely served with dry-ice. It is, however, the nicest cocktail I’ve ever tasted – so I order one, or maybe two, more.
Bill please As much as you like! Cocktails from £9.50. Glass of wine from £9.50.
VERDICT: OK, so you’re not going to make this place your local, but whether you’re a Londoner or passing through, sinking cocktails in the Savoy is almost a rite of passage – like sipping a Singapore Sling in Raffles.
5/5
Strand, WC2R 0EU
fairmont.com/savoy
Tube: Embankment
– Carol Driver
