The Library Bar

The Lanesborough Hotel, Hyde Park Corner, SW1X 7TA.
W: www.lanesborough.com
E: info@lanesborough.com
T: 020 7259 5599

Service, sophistication and situation

Review

Where is it?

Straight out of Regency times, The Library Bar is inside the 5-star Lanesborough Hotel, a few moments walk from Hyde Park Corner tube station or within walking distance of Knightsbridge. Bentleys line up outside. The imposing and grand hotel entrance can be a little confusing, so ask the concierge for directions.

What's it like?
Inside, The Library Bar boasts wood panelled walls, comfy chairs, deep reds and browns and, surprise surprise, shelves laden with heavy books. The service is just as traditional, with humble and discreet bar staff keen to keep you happy. The clientele is older than most London cocktail bars, but there's still a great buzz and you can't help but feel like important decisions are being made at the tables close to you. There's some great extra-special touches, such as the waiters bringing over vegetable crisps to every table and circulating the room with little canapes such as foie gras blinis and figs, all at no charge. The drinks prices will frighten all away except for the aforementioned Bentley drivers, with the cheapest cocktails costing £12.50, and some of the cognacs reaching four figure price tags. The drinks list comes in an old library book, and the must-try is a Lanesborough champagne cocktail, which blends champagne, orange juice, gin, vodka and limencello.

Why does Johnny Ikon love it?

The Library Bar holds its own against stiff competition from hotels such as the Ritz or Claridges. You can't help but feel like you've arrived somewhere pretty special after spending an evening here.

Johnny recommends somewhere to eat before

	Le Caprice Arlington House, Arlington Street, SW1A 1RJ. Glitz, glamour and A-list clientele make this London eating institution as popular with the punters as the critics
	J. Sheekey 28-32 St. Martin's Court, WC2N 4AL. The West End's most famous fish restaurant
	Nobu Berkeley 15 Berkeley Street, W1J 8DY. A showbiz fave, expect those who come here to want to be "seen"
	Zuma 5 Raphael Street, SW7 1DL. A sophisticated twist on contemporary Japanese dining