With its standout hue created from 50 different shades of blue, the legendary Blue Bar at The Berkeley marked the start of summer with Blue Move, a collection of new innovative cocktails, utterly delicious bar snacks, refreshed interiors, and DJ vinyl sessions late into the night. The Blue Bar became the first spot to make hotel bars a place to be seen and a ‘scene’ of ftheir own, mixing dazzling drinks with glamorous hospitality.
Created by the late great designer David Collins, it first opened its doors over 20 years ago in October 2000. Nestled between bustling Knightsbridge and leafy Belgravia, The Berkeley is the essence of chic and luxury. Music has always been a part of its DNA from the beginning and the Blue Bar’s new menu Blue Move has now launched.
Next Level Cocktails
Beloved in its iconic Lutyen’s blue, today the Blue Bar continues to be the epicentre of mixology and cocktail culture. Having entered a new chapter with a menu devised by Marcello Cauda, Peter Palencar and their talented team, the new offering includes twelve signature cocktails and the attention to detail is staggering. We have often said mixology is just as challenging as working in a kitchen and this is very much a labour of love. The menu and cocktails take inspiration from the Blue Bar’s rich heritage – the physical menu itself both nods to the design of the iconic mirrors which have always hung in the bar, while also paying tribute to a vinyl sleeve reflecting the bar’s music credentials.
The Blue Move cocktail menu features I’m Blue, a refreshing and slightly sweet disco-inspired drink that captures the vibrant energy of the Blue Bar team and a Mirror Martini, a fruity and dry gin-based cocktail which carefully blends wines and is served into a mirror coated martini glass – an affectionate nod to the signature mirrors on the wall.
The savoury yet fruity Roadrunner takes inspiration from Zapotec cooking methods via fermentation and using Mexican ingredients such as corn, mole bitter and Ancho Reyes Chile liqueur. Perfect for warmer months, Side by Side is a Sangria-style tequila-based drink which cleverly showcases peach in three ways – using a peach aperitif, a peach liqueur and finally garnished with a Japanese Wakamomo peach.
Our favourite was a creation named after a Blue Bar regular. Raj By Night mixes Lakes The One sherry oak whisky, coconut & sesame Michters Bourbon, Pommeau de Normandie, Shiso Umeshu, Pedro Ximénez sherry and a hint of kola nut. A Manhattan style drink, this is complex, rich and utterly brilliant. For those coffee lovers, the go-to drink of choice is the Nitromisu, a chocolatey and nutty cocktail that is inspired by flavours of tiramisu. The nitro element gives this creation such a velvety lush texture. A great cocktail to end the night with.
Bar Gastronomy
The word snacks isn’t a fair description as the food experience at The Blue Bar is very much a gastronomic affair in keeping with the rest of the hotel. The Blue Bar’s food offering has long been an essential part of the bar. Favourites including the Brie, Wiltshire ham and truffle toasties, are now joined by churros with lashings of shaved Manchego cheese, the most moreish steak tartare crumpets, Dorset crab tacos and a five star take on the humble hot dog. As a new signature tradition every night, at 11pm the bar team circulates French fries piled high on silver trays complete with ketchup and mayo, and delicately distribute the fries with silver tongs, creating a delicious snacking moment.
Sublime Decor
The Blue Bar’s glass pavilion is dedicated to exclusive vinyl-only sets which DJs provide every Thursday to Saturday evening. The new state-of-the-art decks and vinyl’s sit against a statement floor-to-ceiling blue tassel backdrop, evoking a mysterious atmosphere for dancing, drinking, and late-night chats. Flickering throughout the bar, Belgravia friend and local of the hotel, Rachel Vosper has created bespoke Blue Bar candles, aptly wrapped in blue leather to reflect the leather found on the floor, which are caressed with hints of clove, tart rhubarb, and nutmeg and enriched with precious woods.
Blue Move
The Blue Bar is the complete package. The Blue Move menu is not just clever cocktails but creations fuelled by the love and passion of this super talented bar team.
To Discover More Visit The-Berkeley.co.uk
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All Imagery Courtesy of Lateef Photography.