London. What a huge city! I was able to work at the bar in the Ritz Hotel for around 1.5 years in 2011 and 2012. It was an intense time that was extremely important to me. For my development, for my next steps - and for my appreciation for life outside the city. Because even though I had a great time, it was also very intense.
Gregor and I travelled to London because our daring Kavalierbar was nominated by “The Spirits Business” as “Bar of the Year” and Gregor as “Bartender of the Year”.
It was a special honour for us to be on the shortlist - that is, to be among the top 5 in the world (according to The Spirits Business)! Unfortunately, we didn't win a prize...
About the tour:
We arrived in the morning. Luckily, London has a much better nightlife when it comes to day drinking! The nightlife is generally an absolute dream for me as a spirits producer and bar owner. This meant that we were able to start our tour at 11:30 am.
Bar 1: The Rivoli Bar at The Ritz Hotel
The address was of course an absolute must for me – after all, I worked in this beautiful bar for 1.5 years.
So at 11:30 am we stood in front of the door and were amazed that the bar was already 50% full right after opening.
We only drank one glass of champagne, so we cannot judge the cocktails.
The menu is large and a bit overloaded. The service was good, if impersonal.
Because of the tables where you sit, the bar does not offer a typical bar atmosphere – it feels more like a luxurious bistro.
The bar is more of an excuse to visit this legendary hotel.
Drinks: From £22.
https://www.theritzlondon.com/dine-with-us/rivoli-bar/
Bar 2: American Bar at the Savoy
The most legendary bar in London and one of the most historic places when it comes to bar culture.
Good service, good drinks, excellent bar food.
Here too, the bar was already half full shortly before 1 p.m. and already offered a nice bar atmosphere.
Drawback: The bar menu only offered confusing, in-house creations that even overwhelmed me - I simply couldn't imagine what they were.
I wanted a Manhattan style drink - the recommended drink was great but at £45 it was a bit of a splurge...
Drinks: From £24.
https://www.thesavoylondon.com/de/restaurant/american-bar/
Bar 3: Dukes Bar at Dukes Hotel
Once again an absolute icon in a very beautiful, small hotel.
After being greeted warmly by a member of staff who was just about to seat us, we were removed again by the bar manager and sent to wait in the lobby, with the explanation that he would take care of it and the other member of staff would work for him...
Very strange.
Five minutes later, we were politely seated in the bar, which is famous for its martini trolley and the Vesper Martini, which was created here for Ian Fleming.
The charming bartender came to the table with the martini trolley, which is a small tiered cart. All the tables around us were drinking martinis, and we also ordered the classic.
With a practiced, lively explanation, the drinks were prepared for us in a matter of seconds (with plastic gloves!?) by simply washing the glasses with a little vermouth and then filling them with pure, ice-cold gin. Right up to the brim. So about 130 ml of pure gin.
Yes, exactly: the drink wasn't stirred or anything. Just pure gin.
What nonsense. I don't often leave a "drink" standing, but when the gin gets warmer, it gets worse.
There is a certain arrogance and lack of motivation in general. Even the Vesper Martini is not shaken, but the ingredients are simply poured into the glass.
The colleagues are far too comfortable and stuck in their routine. True to the motto: “It’s fine.”
If they served something like that in any other bar, without this legendary background, the guests would throw the drinks in their faces.
Nevertheless, I still went to this bar every time I visited London to show the place off. I'll think about that again...
“Martini” (pure gin): 27 pounds.
https://www.dukeshotel.com/dukes-bar.html?devicetype=pc
Bar 4: Connaught Bar in the Connaught Hotel
After this experience, it was time for a real martini. If you've watched my YouTube video, you know that I consider the martini cocktail to be the worst of the esteemed cocktails. I would like to correct my statement at this point by adding: "Except for the martini from the Connaught Bar."
The bar was completely full when we entered 30 minutes after opening. We were seated at the last available table, in a corner next to the entrance.
Unfortunately, we were overlooked there too, and when we were finally able to place our order for the legendary Martini trolley, we were told that it would take at least 20 minutes.
Unfortunately, due to time constraints, that wasn't an option, so we left the bar - only to be intercepted by head bartender Agostino Perrone on the way out.
With his impressive tact, he guided us back to the bar and appeased us by saying that he could quickly prepare the martini for us at the bar station.
Without further ado, the beautiful trolley was in front of us and he began to work his magic: he gave us the bitters as a smell sample and prepared the drinks with an elegance and dedication that you couldn't get better.
The martinis are by far the best martinis ever. They are so good that they are not only good for a martini, but can be considered great drinks in general.
Martini or not, I am unable to write a text that does justice to the great work that Ago has done. He is the host of the century and it was wonderful to see him lead his team.
His personality embodies in the absolute best way what can be achieved through the profession of bartender.
Thank you for this great inspiration!
If you're in London and can only go to one bar, this is the one.
https://www.the-connaught.co.uk/restaurants-bars/connaught-bar/
Bar 5: Tayer & Elementary
We didn't care that we were late for the gala: we still had to go to Alex Kratena's bar.
Alex was my source of humility during my time in London. At the height of his Artesian Bar, I was a guest at least once a week. At the bar, just to watch.
I was a little arrogant shit and had the privilege of learning from his mindset by watching him do what he did. What a great time...
I had heard about his “new” bar and was very excited as it offers a huge contrast to the Artesian.
But as expected, we were not disappointed:
The bar is divided into two areas: The first part is the casual, hip-hop infused concept with quick, accessible drinks.
Everything on point.
The back part is the elegant Elementary, where guests sit in a U-shape at the bar and in the middle, in kitchen style, the drinks are prepared.
Everything was also on point. Taste perfection and balanced to the max.
Even though it makes sense from a sensory, molecular and gastronomic point of view to prepare drinks (pre-batching) and this is certainly justified by speed and consistency, there is still something missing for me: seeing the bartenders really work. The magic is lost. The guest could theoretically mix the same thing at home.
Alex was there himself. He acted as a host with warmth. Seeing him cleaning the toilet himself speaks volumes about his character as a leader. What a great personality.
I loved my time at the bar and it is definitely one of those places where you can get really messed up and the evening escalates.
Great bar. After the first four very expensive bars, it was a nice change to pay less money for drinks:
Tayer: 14 pounds
Elementary: 18 pounds
https://tayer-elementary.com
Bar 6: ECC (Experimental Cocktail Club)
After the prize-free event, we desperately needed a drink.
My old friend and cocktail mentor Harry Glockler was having his second night at ECC London, so we went to see him at my old after-work bar.
Located in Chinatown, this bar is open until 3am – which is extremely late for London and therefore meant that we ended up there after work several times a week.
Between two restaurants, a closed door leads upstairs. The doorman is still the same after all these years and with a quick nod, the door was opened and we went up to the first floor.
The good music blared extremely loudly on the two floors of the dark bar. The drinks are creative and a bit silly - but were prepared quickly.
Good bar, decent drinks, cool experience. It definitely has its right to exist.
But the best thing for me was simply seeing Harry again, and everything else was relatively unimportant (I was already pretty drunk by then...).
https://www.experimentalcocktailclub.com/london
Bar 7: Kwant
Eric Lorincz's new bar. Great location right in Mayfair. Reasonable prices, so I can't understand how they are able to afford the rent.
Everything was very high quality - from the decor to the drinks. The bar food has a very good reputation, but it didn't suit my personal taste. It was too intense, so the food overpowered the drink.
The decor and the bar seemed more like a restaurant than a classic bar.
But I don't want to go into any more detail here, as the alcohol has already taken its toll.
What I really liked: Owner Eric was also present and he also humbly worked in the service and entertained the guests.
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Conclusion:
As pompous and luxurious as London's gastronomy can be, I was very touched by its down-to-earth nature. Seeing the biggest names in our beautiful industry working so closely with their guests was simply wonderful.
There was no arrogance whatsoever (apart from the Dukes Bar) and the standard delivered was unparalleled.
For me, London is by far the best bar city in Europe and worth a trip just for the bars.
What a beautiful day! I'd love to come again.
