London

Alright so times are lean, but London must still be enjoyed. And whilst it mightn’t be a good idea to sashay down Bond Street picking up exquisitely wrapped parcels at your whim, supping on a cocktail, dressed in your finest, will be a sure (and more purse-friendly) glamour fix. A string of wild (and often distinctly unglamourous) stories abound about the origins of this mixed drink. Whilst it’s hard to dispute that the USA created the first cocktail, the UK, and London, now makes some of the finest.

Best for Martinis…
…And James Bond fans. The Dukes Bar’s martinis have acquired worldwide fame. Ian Fleming was a regular, and it is likely that his equally famous, fictional secret agent discovered his taste for martinis here. Their simple classic (stirred though, not shaken) is hard to beat - with its perfect mix of Beefeater Gin, extra dry vermouth and lemon oil. Or make a companion of one of Bond’s leading ladies and choose from a Miss Moneypenny with a sharp kick of lime and passion fruit, or a sumptuous Ruby Windsor, all warmth and luxury with creme de cacao and cherry marnier. As you’re served at your table, and sink back into a blue velvet chair, wondering just what drink those in the portraits around you might have chosen, it’s sure to summon up in you the connoisseur of the finer things in life.

Best for a polynesian paradise
Mahiki’s two floored bar is festooned in faux-Hawaiiana, which extends to the grass-skirted bar staff. It crams in all things Tiki - including on to it’s drinks menu, where it’s tropical cocktails steal the show. Rum is their spirit of choice - and the bar takes it so seriously that they make their own - on Barbados - the oldest rum producing caribbean island. The music played is mostly tunes from the seventies and eighties and it’s crowd is as mixed as its cocktails, although if you happen to be caught in the grip of celebrity worship, you’ll find a steady supply to gawp at here - as regular and much-publicised patronage by junior members of the Royal Family testifies to.

Best for 1940s supper club style (and dancing)
The quietish pink neon of the Pigalle Club sign is a beacon in the no man’s land for decent bars that is Piccadilly Circus. As you sweep down the staircase inside you’ll step back in time to when clubs were beautiful, glamour was key, and night club singers were all smoky eyes and frothed-up silk. If you’re feeling flush make a night of it with supper, or just sit and sup cocktails as cabaret crooners, comedians and musicians do their jazz-fuelled thing. Atmosphere is everything here - classy yet sexy, stylish but not aloof, and huge fun. Tables are spread across two levels, but bag one near to the stage area if you can. Prices are steep - but they do factor in the live entertainment and once you’re there you’ll realise it’s a steal.

Best for pretending your drinking is all in the name of historical research
The Lonsdale’s exquisite cocktail menu traces the history of the London cocktail - spanning centuries and locations. The aim is simple - to showcase the best drinks that have originated in the UK and, in particular, London. As a thriving world city, London has seen numerous cultures settle within it - and with different cultures come different drinking styles. So, alongside your Cosmopolitans you’ll find drinks that have come to the city from all corners of the world, from authentic 16th century punches (Drake’s Mojito - 1586), to 18th century ‘Flips’, 1920s ‘Bucks’ - and back to the present day.

Best for Regency indulgence (and cigars)
Not as old as it might first appear, the sumptuous Library Bar at the Lanesborough is designed in the style of a Regency library. The bookcases are lined with leather bound books, and the crackling fire, subdued lighting, and deep leather wing chairs, enable you to sample their outstanding collection of ‘liquid history’ vintage cognacs and bespoke cocktails in as relaxed an environment as you’ll find outside your own home. This gentleness is perpetuated by discrete waiters and a tinkling pianist.

For all these London hotels book with confidence at www.london-hotels.co.uk