Tucked just off Regent Street, Hotel Café Royal’s Green Bar is writing a new chapter in its storied cocktail history. Launching a refreshing seasonal menu, a vibrant outdoor terrace, and a dash of old-world glamour that London needs this summer.
It’s early evening and golden hour hits Piccadilly like a spotlight. The newly launched Green Bar Summer Terrace, flanked by London’s classic architecture and the buzz of the West End, invites you in with quiet confidence. This isn’t your average hotel bar. Moreover, this is a legacy spot, one that once catered to literary icons and royalty, now reinventing itself for the modern bon vivant.
A Menu That Balances Heritage and Boldness
Director of Beverages Matteo Carretta and his team have crafted a drinks menu that reads like an homage to the past, with a wink to the future. Divided into three core sections, the menu showcases Unique Experiences, Seasonal Pairings, and Signature Classics. It is great to see a hotel bar focusing on brilliant ingredients and not over complicating menus. Matteo is an expert in the London bar scene and after a few years in Asia, he has returned to bring all his valuable expertise to Hotel Café Royal.
The Unique Experiences cocktails are as much about the journey as the spirit. The Suave Mirror Margarita arrives with a sleek visual elegance, the d’Azur Negroni is a sun-drenched twist on an Italian staple, and the Seventy One Gold Martini glistens with a whisper of extravagance. These are more premium cocktails but with a great price point that lets you try premium spirits without splashing out on a bottle. Our favourite was an Old Fashioned made with hard to find Glenfiddich 21yo, Peach Liqueur, Absinthe and bitters. Smooth and so delicate.
The Seasonal Pairings are elevated yet approachable. Think Scotch & Mango, where Glen Grant whisky meets tropical fruit in a combination that feels both unexpected and seamless. Our favourite was Gin & Olives featuring the beautiful No3 Gin but with three award winning olives. Matteo and his team scoured the land for the very best award winning olives and three feature in this clever martini.
Finally, for those who appreciate timeless classics, the Signature Classics list taps into the original 1937 Café Royal Cocktail Book. There’s something surreal about sipping Tarling’s Café Royal Special, it is a mix of Hendrick’s Gin, Boatyard Sloe Gin, Créme de Mure, honey syrup and lemon. Other cocktails, like the historic New Victoria or the mischievous Crazy Crossing, serve a taste of cocktail lore.
For those taking it easy, the non-alcoholic cocktails are no afterthought. The Peach & Hibiscus and Basil & Apple options are every bit as layered and aromatic as their spirited counterparts, priced at a considerate £18.
Little Bites to Complement Your Cocktail
Pair your cocktails with a curated selection of small plates and sandwiches that echo the same attention to quality and creativity as the drinks. Start with the Scottish smoked salmon blinis, perfectly balanced trout roe on fluffy blinis and a tangy crème fraîche finish. For something richer, the truffle and Comté Cheese Toastie offers a luxurious twist on comfort food: layers of Comté melted with truffle béchamel sandwiched in soft pan de mie. These elegant bites are ideal for sharing, or enjoying solo, as a savoury counterpoint to the bar’s botanical cocktails.
An Al Fresco Love Letter to Summer
The terrace itself is the star of this summer series. In June, it opened with Martini Month, a chic collaboration with Berry Bros & Rudd. This month, the spotlight turns to Fielden Rye Whisky, a tribute to the British rye harvest. Their Mint Juleps feel tailor-made for warm nights and celebratory clinks under the London sky.
What sets the Green Bar Summer Terrace apart is its commitment to storytelling. Every cocktail has a narrative rooted in history, culture, or craft. And every sip feels like a moment suspended in time.
The Verdict
In a city saturated with pop-up bars and rooftop lounges, Green Bar doesn’t follow trends, but instead it sets them. From its curated spirits list and beautifully plated drinks to the warm, knowledgeable service and terrace ambiance, this is a destination for those who appreciate the art of the cocktail.
Whether you’re a local looking for a luxe post-work hideaway, or a visitor wanting a taste of London’s cocktail legacy, the Green Bar at Hotel Café Royal offers an experience that is both elevated and grounded with the past and present always in perfect measure.
For more information, please visit Hotel Café Royal
Images courtesy of Hotel Café Royal.