Address: Hyatt Regency Hotel, 30 Portman Square, London, W1H 7BH, UK
Tel: +44 (0)20 7486 5800
Type: Hotel bar
Named after one of Britain's most famous citizens, the Churchillian touches run deep, from his signature inlaid into the floor, to original framed letters on the wall and doodles of cartoon animals augmenting the pages of the menu - they also appear in knitted animal equivalents on the surrounding shelves, something Churchill himself apparently did at home. Altogether it feels like a rather more personal and personable interpretation of the great man than you often see - in fact, it's designed to look like somewhere the young Winston would have taken his wife.
This five-star hotel behind Selfridges oozes luxury, with acres of marble and lavish contemporary decor and the swanky decor of the newly renovated bar is equally plush, like a pimped-up country house, and the most beautiful crackle-glazed porcelain-like bar-top, the likes of which we've never seen before. And while it's clearly all very expensive, the atmosphere is busy, buzzing and full of life even on quiet nights.
Gin Hi-Balls head the drinks list, combining homemade bitters, tonics and sodas, followed by a collection of Churchill-influenced/quintessentially Olde English-flavoured cocktails. A short list of warming cocktails includes a tribute to the ancient English drinking ritual wassail. We found all drinks (£12-15) well made and carefully balanced.
Cigar aficionados get a menu of sensibly priced smokes - topping out at £42 - which they can share with a seated bronze statue of Churchill on the terrace. 4/5
