The Tale Bar

My companion and I went along to Salvatore’s Bar – which is just beneath The Playboy Club on Old Park Lane - to sample the delights of the new “Around the World” cocktail menu.

The bar

The bar itself has a night club feel about it – light fittings like delicate jellyfish, warm orange radiating from the subtly-lit bar, comfortable winged chairs and a sea of dark wood tables and booths in creamy leather. Elegant and timeless. On closer inspection the dark wooden screens on the periphery contain thousands of tiny bunny cut-outs.

There’s a vast wall of hexagonal display cabinets. When we first passed them we hardly gave them a second glance. But they contain an incredible selection of very old bottles of spirits (some dating back to the Napoleonic wars) and all manner of cocktail making paraphernalia. Fascinating.

The walls contain a few choice black and white images of the brat pack – a perfect accompaniment to the predominantly relaxing jazz sounds. And there are smoky orange glass containers for the exotic selection of nuts – and not a peanut in sight.

The staff

The bar manager and waiting staff were friendly and welcoming. We felt thoughtfully tended to and but not harassed. Salvatore himself made a brief appearance and was utterly charming.

And then there are the bunnies. Red outfits for bar staff and black for the hostesses. Did my female companion and I feel uncomfortable being served by women so alluringly attired? Absolutely not. Of course we admired their amazing figures but we were actually more interested in their excellent knowledge of the drinks and the club and their pride and professionalism in their work. They were from an array of far-off lands and genuinely pleasant to chat to.

The people

It was an eclectic mix of people. There was an early mixed group of smart, young folk having a drink before a private wine tasting. An all-male group of 30-something business men in informal attire. A couple of solitary drinkers – some looked wealthy and others more ordinary. And one or two couples. So I’m guessing that anything goes.

The cocktails

The “Around the world” menu comprises 16 cocktails that take you on an international voyage of flavours.

I started in Africa with “Ebony” (£13) which arrived in a deliciously dark glass with a frosted coating. The almost Christmassy scent hit me as I raised the glass to my lips. The warmth of the rum morphs into the complexity of the sorrel wine and rooibos infusion. It was served with an accompanying pot of carob ice cream which was more sorbet-like in its glacial granularity.

My companion chose “Excuse my French” (£13) which she declared strong – both sweet and tart - and lemony. Ingredients included Martell cognac, Hey syrup, raspberry eau de vie with the glass coated in Chartreuse crystals.

We were concerned about sampling any more delights – particularly as it was a school night with an extremely early start for one of us – but we simply couldn’t resist.

I was delighted with the tiny wooden peg supporting what looked like a leaf hinting at the shape of a coat hanger in the thoroughly English “Queen’s Back Yard” (£13). It was a taste of summer in a glass – young and fun and decidedly sweet. Beefeater 24 Gin, rhubarb infusion, strawberry sherbet, elderflower and apple.

Meanwhile, my companion ventured to Italy with “Garibaldi” (£13). The Campari bitterness reminded her of the Aperol Spritzes we so enjoy in the summer but the marsala, kumquat liqueur and clementine gave it a fresh and zingy twist. She was delighted with the small leaf perched on top of the crushed ice containing an artichoke sorbet. We noted that on the classic menu there’s a heavenly-sounding concoction designed to evoke memories of Amalfi (one of my favourite places in the whole world).

Prices

And everything – considering the location and incredible surroundings – seemed like pretty good value for money. The six champagne cocktails were priced at £14, the 10 classic cocktails were £13 and the six non-alcoholic cocktails were £9. Of course there were some really expensive drinks – champagne, wine and spirits – but there was plenty on offer for those with more modest budgets.

There is a reasonable selection of bar snacks too – wagyu beef sliders, chicken wings, chips, sharing plates and the like – from £5 to £17. We couldn’t believe that we hadn’t been before. And we resolved to return soon.

The Tale Bar

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