For those that like to boast about their bar experiences, whether by old-fashioned word of mouth or new fangled Instagramming, the Beaufort Bar at The Savoy Hotel will prove irresistible. Forget the history and the rumours of what famous patrons got up to here in the past because even without the fame this bar is something out of the ordinary. Gold leaf and dark velvet dominates and the opulence is almost oppressive. Almost. Like a rich chocolate fondant, the Beaufort Bar is a delicacy best taken in small portions. You couldn’t come here frequently and that is not just down to the considerable cost of the drinks but because it is a place for an occasion and visiting here regularly would be akin to eating truffles for dinner every night.
Finding a plush booth in the sultry lounge bar, however, does take some patience. The Beaufort doesn’t accept bookings so depending on when you visit you should be prepared to wait. Although with a small museum next door - a room that details the bar’s more colourful history – waiting isn’t such a pain. As with any hotel bar worth a damn, there is an in-house pianist whose sultry playing creates the kind of libidinous atmosphere you only find in places like this. Date night would go well here.
And what else does one drink on date night but Champagne? Okay, so it would have to be a pretty special date night to opt for Louis Roederer all night but we’re dreaming here. And besides, the Louis Roederer Brut Premier is actually a reasonable (in the context of The Savoy) £72 a bottle and compares favourably in price to some of the cocktails on the menu. Speaking of which, the mixed drinks start at around £15 but go way up. There is a mix of classic cocktails and Beaufort Bar specials. The Gold Rush took our fancy; inspired by Charlie Chaplin it is a blend of popcorn Woodford Reserve, Van der hum, fresh lemon, smoked maple and ‘cinema fog’. But, of course, being one of the two bars in The Savoy Hotel, The Beaufort Bar has a few ostentatious offerings up its sleeve. A vintage Old Fashioned made with a 1943 Old Timbrook will set you back a cool £200 or a Hemingway Daiquiri with a 1950 Bacardi at its base is just the £250 you’re likely to have in pocket change.
Glamour, history, romance, style and panache; it’s all there. Find an occasion – any occasion – and get in line for The Beaufort Bar at The Savoy.
