The Artesian Bar, London

The Artesian Bar

Some people are going to London to see some landmarks, some people are going there for shopping or for parties or to study and/or to earn money….

I came to London to have a drink in The Artesian Bar. Some people say, that there are good bars, great bars, best bars and above them all - The Artesian. It is also winner of the worldsbest50bars.com for the last 3 years …

Sarcastically said : The Artesian is boring. If You expect the best service, absolutelly wonderful cocktails prepared with the technique ´´BEYOND the best´´, by the best bartenders – You will really get it. My review can end right here, because what else do You want me to tell You?

Actually, I do have a few thoughts, to share with You. One of them is about the worldsbest50bars.com : I disagree with the results for the year of 2014 on many, many positions. Except of one : The Artesian should really win it, however it is still not fair a bit, because it is a hotel bar of a 5* hotel, therefore it should be rated in the different way, than for example Candelabria in Paris, which is a hipster club, or any of all the speakeasies from all around the Europe.

I wanted to point even on the ´´problem of the fame´´ - If You are doing such ratings and You will find a very famous bartedner working in one of these bars, your ratings may be influenced by that. I am NOT SAYING that Simone Caporale, working in the Artesian, needs ´´some eyes closed´´ while he is being checked, because with no doubts and even with all my honor to all other bartenders, I can easily say, that Simone is flawless bartender who is, or shortly will be, one of those few people, that will have an influence on the development of mixology itself. Watching him working is … seriously, just by watching him, he fits to the best bar at the world…

You know who else could have such an influence too? Alex Kratena. A head bartender in the Artesian Bar is from Czech republic.

In this review I will only show You the recipies, without any closer description of them. I will explain that to You later on.

My first cocktail was the Love and Death

Love and Death by the Artesian

-        Bulleit Rye

-        Verjus

-        Vermouth

-        Bitters

My first, aperitif cocktail. Short, sharp and bitter - but well ballanced - cocktail.

Camouflage

-        Tanqueray No. Ten

-        Americano

-        Carrot

-        Kombucha

-        Sandalwood

My second cocktail. Long drink that You don't want to finish. Full of very particular taste, that You will remember even 3 months after.

Pitty, that I don't want to describe the taste then... - You may admit. Honestly I would love to do it for You, but all cocktails are just so sophisticated and so particular and so rich by taste, that simply english language does not have right words for it. And the way of serving is not easy for description either. Yeah, some glassware could easily be the most beautiful, I've ever seen so far, but in many cases, cocktails in the Artesian are not served in glasses at all. The Camouflage is for example served in a golden pineapple… (which makes so much noise, if you will flip it over, by the way)

The desing of the bar itself?

Well - as it is the part of 5* hotel - it is astonishing. When You will be in London, just go and see it for yourself…

And by the way, they have a strictly no reservation policy and it should be no surprise for You, that it may be full, if You will get there later at night. That's why You should not hesistate.