The Polo At The Westbury Mayfair

Eating an evening and drinking in a first-class bar is, I guess, a fashion that is long overdue is a revival. especially if places like the polo bar in the westbury hotel, mayfair offers excellent eating in portion sizes that do not lead to a nutritional crisis and to praise that make luxury affordable. but then I am the kind of person who would rather have a place of amadei than a whole bar of dairy milk. I was in the polo bar and enjoyed a cocktail before dinner, but never tried to eat the bar. that is something I am very happy to have corrected thanks to an invitation to check from the hotel.

The Polo Bar at the Westbury Hotel has hit upon an amazing idea. When you order a cocktail, you get two glasses. One full-sized drink for you, and one matching tiddly tipple for your drinking companion. . A boon to the germphobic and aggressive non-sharers, it also eliminates that low-level dismay that comes with watching your bartender throw your excess cocktail down the sink after pouring it. The idea also helps to ease the sticker shock that inevitably comes with an £18.50 cocktail. £18.50! We balked at our menus, and I was reminded of Jay, who was once charged nearly fifteen quid for a G&T at the Ham Yard Hotel, and vowed never to return. The extra drink – such a novelty! So adorable! – made the price much more palatable. Especially as, yes, we were in Mayfair, and somebody’s got to pay for that slick art deco interior. (Designed with Fendi fittings and Swarovski crystals, apparently.

One thing I don’t give much time for these days is the good old-fashioned cocktail bar. I’m so consumed with eating in restaurants and having cocktails at my table that I’ve forgotten about the bar and nothing says a good bar like one inside a luxury hotel – especially with service as immaculate as this. In fact you’ll be hard pushed to find better at any bar in London. It’s unobtrusive, yet attentive enough and the staff are incredibly knowledgeable about what they serve. The Polo Bar’s Head Mixologist Carmine Catena and Head Chef Brian Fantoni have created something very special here. Mixing together some of London’s best cocktails, alongside faultless bar snacks to accompany them.

Polo Bar is the bar of The Westbury Hotel and sits adjacent to the hotel just off Bond Street in Mayfair. Inside you’ll discover an Art Deco inspired interior with Swarovski crystal fittings and custom Fendi detailing. It comes as no surprise Polo Bar was voted for London’s Bar of the Year last year by The London Lifestyle Awards.

An invitation to sample a newly launched gin and tonic menu at The Polo Bar at The Westbury Hotel presented an excellent opportunity to discover a fine place to have a drink. Created by Tanqueray mixologist Tim Homewood and Polo Bar manager Elias Yiallouris, the new G&Ts are part of a “Botanical Brew Experience” collaboration between Tangueray No. TEN gin and Fever Tree tonic water. All feature the quadruple distilled gin and the premium tonic along with an intriguing array of fresh ingredients. Here’s a look at the menu: Blue Lady Tea and Grapefruit Peel served with Fever Tree Mediterranean Tonic – the exotic floral and citrus notes of Blue Lady Tea are lifted with zesty Grapefruit Peel, a refreshing thirst quencher; Fennel and star anise seed served with Fever Tree Classic – native to China, the liquorice aromas of Star Anise combine with the sweet, warm flavours of Fennel Seed for an oriental twist; Blackberry and hibiscus tea and lemon peel served with Fever Tree Lemon Tonic – Cleopatra’s drink of choice, ruby red Hibiscus tea is paired with fruity blackberries for a divine blend of sweet and sour; Cinnamon, clove and vanilla served with Fever Tree Classic – warming and uplifting, the soft, creamy flavours of vanilla are spiced up with aromatic cloves and cinnamon; Rosebuds served with Fever Tree Elderflower Tonic – reminiscent of an English garden on a summer’s day, the delicate notes of rose are given a rich, dry edge with the addition of elderflower essence; Pink pepper and orange peel served with Fever Tree Classic – the kick of spiced pink pepper is sweetened with a citrus orange peel, and garnished with an orange twist. I was pleased to be invited to the bar for a tasting and did my best to work my way through this drinks list “tough job but …” right? and especially liked that cinnamon and clove number and thought the pepper and orange peel mix to be a particularly fantastic ensemble. Priced at £15 each, all were refreshing and worth a taste. New cocktails or not, I found The Polo Bar to be an exceptional venue for quality sips. Bar snacks were ace loved the foie gras and the panko crusted prawns! and service was delightful and prompt. Upscale and low key, the bar is conveniently centred between Bond Street, Oxford Circus and Piccadilly Circus stations yet removed just enough from the fray to allow for decompression. With Art Deco inspired designer interiors with Swarovski and Fendi details, it’s a swish spot to keep in mind whether you’re mingling to impress or simply hoping to unwind in high style. And this just in … another reason to drop in for a drinky drink … earlier this month The Polo Bar won Best Mixology at the 2014 London Club and Bar Awards.