Dukes Hotel Bar

Bar in St James's

9 / 10 from 1 review

Address
Dukes Hotel
35 St. James's Place
St James's
London
SW1A 1NY

Map

Telephone
020 7491 4840

Region
St James's

Nearest Station
Green Park
0.15 miles

Category
Bars

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Male or female; dress in black trousers, bowtie and white tuxedo jacket and go to Duke's to drink the best Martini you'll ever taste.

All In London

Dukes Hotel Bar, famous for its Martinis, is a comfortable and relaxing place to enjoy a choice of cocktails, champagne, Pimms or the wide selection of cognacs collected by the hotel, some of which are over 150 years old. Guests can also have a tab added to their room bill during their stay.

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All In London Review

As close to the perfect Martini as you're ever going to get...

Cocktail connoisseurs the world over know about the Dukes Martini and despite the bar’s influence on Fleming’s famous “shaken, not stirred’ line, it is the liquid rather than the Bond lineage that impresses the most. Set on the ground floor of the conservatively decorated St. James’ hotel Dukes, this is a bar with character. If you’re looking for in-your-face glitz and that live piano shtick, this isn’t the hotel bar for you. The Dukes Bar is all class. Thick carpets, rigid armchairs and regal wall hangings aren’t there to be noticed but to lure you in. It’s almost seedy it’s so smooth, like stepping into a place where time stands still – and yes, I’m aware that I sound like I’m in a Dukes trance as I write this…

Split into three small rooms the bar plays a small part here because drinks come served from the trolley in just about as charming a way as you can imagine. I drink the Vesper Martini - most are Bond themed, thanks to Fleming’s patronage of the bar way back – and if you want bang for your buck, then this is the drink. Using exclusive Vermouth from Highgate’s Sacred Distillery, along with small batch vodka and gin, the free pouring of head barman Alessandro Palazzi is an art. Apparently shaking or stirring a martini is an unnecessary measure; the right pour should always be enough. At £20 a drink, a visit to Dukes Bar is a luxury but the big hit of that Martini, the charming welcome and the style makes it an occasion worth repeating. Two drinks here and you’re done. Until next time when you can only hope to receive a, “We’ve been expecting you…” welcome in best Bond style…

Reviewed by T.A.O
Published on Jan 22, 2015

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If you haven’t heard of the Dukes Hotel Bar then you’ll surely have heard the phrase. ‘Shaken, not stirred.’ Well, this is the place that inspired James Bond’s creator Ian Fleming to coin the line. Dukes Hotel is located in Mayfair and the venue is internationally renowned for its martinis. Why would you go anywhere else?

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The story goes that Ian Fleming was a regular at Duke’s and it was the hotel bar’s Martinis that inspired Mr. Bond’s signature drink. You’ll find Duke’s Bar in the eponymous Duke’s Hotel on the edge of Green Park. Dress up and enjoy the history and romance of one of London’s most special bars.

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Famed for its martinis, legend has it this is where Ian Fleming came up with James Bond’s memorable ‘shaken, not stirred’ line. There’s a separate bar in the adjoining garden where you can indulge in cognac and cigars.