Harry Gordon's Bar

Address: Selfridges, 400 Oxford Street, London, W1A 1AB, United Kingdom
Website: view Harry Gordon's Bar’s website
Door: Open door
Style: Cocktail bar
Food: Tapas/plates & dishes

Review

Take the escalator down to the lower ground floor of Selfridges to find its spanking new drinks department, with a bar nestled in the middle. Named after Mr Harry Gordon Selfridge himself, the bar is open from breakfast through to dinner, so it's a place where you can have coffee, light bites and, of course, plenty of beer, wine and (new for the store) cocktails as the day progresses.

The space mixes rough and ready wood and metal finishes with polished marble and leather to create a series of curious contrasts. The bar itself is thick white marble, against which the world's heaviest bar stools are placed. Old fashioned glass divides the bar from the retail space.

An 11-strong cocktail menu, inspired by the store's heritage, has been designed by Ryan Chetiyawardana. Drinks are carefully jiggered and finely balanced and are priced between £9 and £15. The menu also boasts a hand-picked wine list, with champagne apparently the beverage of choice, as well as London ales and eight craft bottle beers.

Bar staff are knowledgeable, friendly and relaxed, there's a low key but warm vibe and, of course, you are likely to be sat with some wealthy customers - we happened to be sat next to the owners of Selfridges, no less.