While I was at the bar I served only champagne. 3 gin, a few drops of Angostura bitters and a cut of rind from an Amalfi lemon peel finishes it off. “You have to read a woman; you have to be a host and come up with a good mix,” he continues. Don’t make a date compete with that, unless you’ve already proven your affection. Palazzi, who came on in 2007 after long stints in Paris at The Ritz and George V, comes with a fashion-world following that adds a little glitter to the place as well. “The aroma of the oil brings sweetness to your nose first,” he explains, as they clink glasses. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. I make a Martini with white truffle, with bottarga. Instead, come here with friends, or colleagues or hell, even alone, like I did. Hello, can I ask if your Moscow mule is served in a traditional copper mug? Arrived for New Years Day Jazz Brunch @ 3:30pm with 2 friends I traveled with~~ Girl's London Theater trip. Past The Wolseley and The Ritz, past quintessential English pubs that at half-past-five were standing room only, a steady stream of gallerists and young hedge funders funneling in. Sorry but I can't answer to your question. Had martinis here most nights of my 4-night stay at the Dukes Hotel. In fact, the arrangement of the three small adjoining rooms into private pods of armchairs keeps you from so much as glancing through most of the space, unless you commit to craning your neck for a sneaky look. 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In comparison to the near-bursting pubs, my destination seemed tame: both the hotel and the bar have the look — and the low decibel level — of an old British members club. Born from a love of unlocking hidden gems in a big city, London on the Inside connects people to local and global brands, discoveries and experiences. Sorry, I have no idea. 8 bartenders on the bar they’d travel the world to visit, 35 St. James's Place Dukes Hotel, London SW1A 1NY England, Ambience destroyed by Poorly implemented Regulation - Expensive and charmless. We rank these hotels, restaurants, and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location. There isn’t a table nearby with any other cocktail; clearly, you don’t come here if you don’t want a Martini. Truly shambolic......keep your money to go to a true luxury London hotel!!!!!! This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Festive drinks before and after our delicious late afternoon repast. Sometimes, if the drinker likes their Vesper quite dry, Palazzi swirls the vermouth around a frosted glass before dumping it on the ground. Lovely service and fabulous drinks, plus it’s just tucked away from all the madness, offering an oasis of calm. There’s an air of business about the place, from the navy and taupe carpet reminiscent of New York steakhouses or East Coast country clubs, to the clientele (not totally one note but plenty of clean-shaven finance types), to the singularity of its focus: the Martini. Next, a trio of cool silver bowls filled with plump Castelvetrano olives, mixed nuts and cheddar-dusted rice crackers arrive. A mother-daughter duo float outside ahead of me, and we share a laugh about needing a cool London evening to straighten ourselves out after those drinks. Note: your question will be posted publicly on the Questions & Answers page. Expensive drinks, that were really strong. Expensive service fee. Went here for a pre Christmas cocktail with a pal. for the Sondheim Theater for 7:30 pm Les Mis. Charming. All perfectly tasty, and all void of any airs of haute gastronomy — just finger food to satisfy pre-dinner peckishness. And awesome. Potachi Vodka, No. In a word, AVOID.More. Back in the States now---"Dreaming of my Duke's Day"More. Reviewed September 22, 2020 . Needless to say, the bar seemed a little daunting. We want to bring these experiences to you, wherever you might be in the world. In a word, AVOID. When you start an evening with a good martini, that evening holds promise (not unlike putting on a good tuxedo, incidentally). Wonderful service, ambiance and drinks! It may be my favorite drink, but I’m no Martini snob, simply because I don’t have an opinion on — or the taste buds for — the finer points of vermouth, the shake-versus-the-stir and so on. Two women in the corner in an array of black Issey Miyake pleats and nearly matching thick horn-rimmed glasses watch a young bartender peel a slice of orange rind into their drinks. News, advice and insights for the most interesting man in the room. The James Bond author spent many an hour sipping on this classic serve. Martinis no longer made at the table, harsh lighting, and waiters in very threatening black masks reduced what had previously been a convivial and enjoyable experience into something that was simply to be endured. The James Bond author spent many an hour sipping on this classic serve. I can’t say enough about the wait staff. Through the ‘How To… At Home’ series you can learn something new from experts in their fields. So, so lovely! Once a table had been secured, paper copies of track and trace form presented in a classless manner with a Bic pen. My sympathies for the bar staff forced to work under such gruesome conditions. + Fun with the Bond theme. With the new Bond film coming later this year, there’s no better time to learn how to make the perfect Vesper Martini. This is the place you experience a martini rather than just drink one. On a Post-Election "Real Time," Bill Maher Raises Alarms and Talks Reconciliation. Martinis no longer made at the table, harsh lighting, and waiters in very threatening black masks reduced what had previously been a convivial and enjoyable experience into something that was simply to be endured. Unprofessional, rude waitresses who make you feel like you are an inconvenience. It becomes evident that while guests might flock to Dukes for the Bond connection, what makes them return is Palazzi: he is all grace and charm, a more tangible link than the cocktail could be. There are taped arrows everywhere on the floor across the lobby, no doorman...present to greet or help. Waiters were very specific and I appreciated their effort. I would call them directly. Still, never one to say no to a perfectly good drink (it’s for work! What used to be an elegant and cozy corner of St James's is now akin to dining in an NHS cafeteria. more. Dukes, funnily, is a bar without barstools. Joined work colleagues for the famous Duke's Martinis there last week. From here, retire to the Drawing Room or the Cognac and Cigar Garden for the final finesse of a perfect Mayfair evening. DUKES Bar is legendary for serving the very best martinis – and for being the watering hole of choice for Sir Ian Fleming. Get InsideHook in your inbox. “I’ve been a bartender for 45 years. The DUKES Bar team look forward to welcoming you, Reservations, Seating, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Gift Cards Available. Disconcerting to say the least. Great place. Avoid this place at all costs.... no one knows what they are doing. A few tweaks have been made to the original, but for those in the know (not me), the taste is nearly identical. Once a table had been secured, paper copies of track and trace form presented in a classless manner with a Bic pen. Elegant and comfortable surroundings, On point service and Out of this world cuisine---Chacuterie, Chicken Kiev, Wine & Martinis--Vodka then Espresso---Thank-You!! It is, of course, also delicious — and strong. Get quick answers from DUKES Bar staff and past visitors. London’s Biggest Independent Lifestyle Publication. Copyright © 2020 InsideHook. Both St James’s and Regent Street are home to a diverse array of brands, from bars and restaurants to art galleries and boutiques. Elegant, classy traditional bar in the Dukes Hotel. Thanks,Rano, Hi Please do you cater for a coeliac for afternoon tea? Thanks, The Leading Hotels Of The World in London, Small Luxury Hotels of the World in London, Hotels near V&A - Victoria and Albert Museum, Asian Restaurants for Special Occasions in London, Spanish Restaurants with Private Dining in London, Restaurants for Special Occasions in London, Restaurants with Outdoor Seating in London, Greek Restaurants with Outdoor Seating in Camden, International Restaurants in Knightsbridge, Large groups Restaurants in South Kensington, Roast Beef in Euston / Kings Cross /St Pancras. And there’s no better person to learn from than DUKES Bar Manager Alessandro Palazzi, who talks you through the recipe and his preferred ingredients, including a London dry gin made by St James’s neighbours Berry Bros. & Rudd. The last 20, now I do things as I like. Given the price point, (our tab was over 200GBP) Sadly, I would avoid this hideous and classless charade at all costs. We lingered and lounged prior to leaving...for the Sondheim Theater for 7:30 pm Les Mis. Upon arrival immediately shouted at to put a mask on before crossing the lobby. We think this is one you’re going to love. London’s favorite Martini bar, Dukes, tucked into the lobby of a hotel by the same name, is not for someone hoping to meet a date at the bar. We are classic here, but we have to move on, too” he says. The drink, named for double agent and femme fatale Vesper Lynd, requires both gin and vodka, a dash of vermouth, a lemon peel and a good shake. They are not cheap, but they are also very worth it. For what was once a good old boys club with one enduring claim to fame, Dukes seems to be doing just fine with change. Perennially fashionable since the days of Henry VIII, junction of Piccadilly Circus at its northeast corner. Whether visiting for the first time or more, a special rendezvous with friends, a romantic meeting with a lover or a relaxing moment after a meeting, DUKES Bar provides the setting for an unforgettable experience.