Donovan Bar in City of London, Westminster

Donovan’s Bar is a lovely spot located at the back of Browns Hotel. It’s an ideal place to meet and have a drink after work. Named after the famous 1960s photographer Terence Donovan, the bar features beautiful artwork that adds to its charm. The food is good, but the overall appeal lies in the bar’s unique setting and ambiance.

A beautiful bar and great selection of drinks. I had the Martini Roots Martini, which was expertly made and presented. Tasted fantastic. Came with cheese as a bar snack. Comfortable seating available with table service, or you can sit at the bar with stools.

Excellent in everything, love this place.

Beautiful bar, amazing cocktails. Fabulously expensive.

The cocktails were delicious and the service was great. The venue was a little brighter than I’d like for a cocktail bar, and the leather bench seating was a little tired. If you enjoy the maestro’s martinis as I do, I would recommend Velvet at Corinthia, which has live music and the interior is very elegant.

We visited the Donovan bar for a few drinks with friends and couldn’t have asked for a better experience. We were welcomed by Alessandro and Federico who took really good care of us. Drinks were outstanding and served by the sweet Jiali, she explained the menu and its concept and gave an additional value to the whole experience. Thank you team!

Really great cocktails, easy to walk in.

The bar has amazing cocktails and each of them has a very interesting story. They were bold in mixing up exotic ingredients and cocktails were very creative

The Donovan Bar Mayfair London: The Best Cocktail Bar, A World-class Team, The Best Martini Cocktail and much more. If you are in London The Donovan Bar is the best Cocktail Bar Experience. Located in Albemarle Street in Mayfair into the prestigious Brown's Hotel the Donovan Bar is not comparable not only because of the fantastic Cocktail Menu starting from the famous Martini Cocktail, the best of London, but also because of the unique atmosphere full of class, style, elegance , warm welcome and culture of hospitality created by a World-class Team starting from The Maestro Salvatore Calabrese (@cocktailmaestro) an international Icon in the Hospitality industry and Cocktail Bars, two extraordinary drivers well known worldwide as the Director of Mixologist Federico Pavan and the Assistant Director of Mixologist Cristiana Pirinu together with the talented Fabio Spinetti, Alessandro Vella, Donato, Alessandro, Chiara, Raffaele. An incredible life experience and moments to remember and every time you leave The Donovan Bar you can't wait to come back. Rino Siconolfi

What a place. Decor is stunning but the most amazing thing is the staff and Host, the lady is a pleasure to speak to and it is refreshing as a lot of high end bars are a little pretentious and snobby which can be fine but takes away from customer experience a bit. You can also see the staff really care about what they do as the gent making the cocktails spoke us through the recipe and the list and really elevated our whole experience. As for the drinks, well honestly I think they may be the best cocktails in London. There isn't a lot I can say and just need to encourage you to try it. But if it is any help, he put on down called 'three wishes' and it tasted so good that as soon as I took a sip I ordered another right away. For those curious it tastes like a port or dessert wine, but wow it was good. I think a lot of places in London are either overrated or go off their reputation, but Donovan's really is the real deal and one of the few places I visit now. I could honestly spend all day in there. Oh and for those looking to impress a date, it is a little of the beaten track tucked away, so they will like your insider knowledge, plus as alluded to previous the decor is classy, intimate and tasteful, perfect for such an occasion.

Strong cocktails and great service. It’s not cheap, but absolutely worth it. We will have to try the food next time. Thanks to Chiara for the excellent recommendations!

One of the best bars in London. Phenomenal drinks and a truly world class team.

Donovan’s Bar is a lovely spot located at the back of Browns Hotel. It's an ideal place to meet and have a drink after work. Named after the famous 1960s photographer Terence Donovan, the bar features beautiful artwork that adds to its charm. The food is good, but the overall appeal lies in the bar's unique setting and ambiance.

We wandered into this gorgeous hotel unplanned, looking for a small and quick bite to eat. What a happy accident for us. The Donovan Bar showered us with hospitality, delicious coffee, and the most delicious club sandwich imaginable. Most highly recommend.

Lefter and Maria did an amazing job with quick service and great customer service.

Lefter and Maria gave us an amazing high tea experience and a remarkable representation of London.

Great ambience and service - let down by the food. Ate in the bar - obviously quite expensive as it's a 5 star luxury hotel. What turned up was luke warm fries, tinned ham turning up at the corners - for £60 plus. Told the waitress who informed the manager but no apology or response. Would visit again but not to eat.

Overall highly recommended. This is a great place if you are looking to drink cocktails of the highest quality. They certainly deserve to be in the top 100 bars in the world and in some ways better than ones ranked above them. I thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere and the emotive themes of the drinks. The cocktails are very bold in flavouring, and although unique I do think some could have some perfecting. The service was very good but could be slightly more attentive and did not seem to be completely versed in the cocktails and the process of their creation.

Through friends, I discovered The Donovan, a delightful cocktail bar that has consistently provided me with fantastic experiences. Each time I have visited, I have been greeted with warm hospitality, top-notch service, and exquisite cocktails, ensuring that both my guests and I have had a wonderful time. On previous visits, I had already been impressed by a particular staff member, whose role I am unsure of, but whose dedication and professionalism stood out. However, during my recent visit, Jaly, another exceptional member of The Donovan team, managed to raise the bar even higher. Jaly's gentle presence and attentiveness were immediately noticeable. Her genuine smile and friendly demeanor made us feel welcome and at ease from the moment we arrived. Jaly's knowledge of the extensive cocktail menu was remarkable, and she took the time to understand our preferences, offering personalized recommendations that perfectly suited our tastes. Throughout the evening, Jaly's dedication to providing an outstanding experience shone through. She ensured that every aspect of our visit was carefully tended to, from the impeccably crafted cocktails to the attentive service. Jaly's attention to detail was evident in the way she consistently checked on us, making sure we had everything we needed to fully enjoy our time at The Donovan. It is rare to find a staff member who not only excels in their role but also possesses the innate ability to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. Jaly's presence elevated our experience at The Donovan, setting a new standard for exceptional service. Her genuine kindness and dedication to her work left a lasting impression on us and undoubtedly on everyone who had the pleasure of being served by her. I extend my heartfelt compliments and gratitude to The Donovan for consistently providing a fantastic cocktail bar experience, and to Jaly for her outstanding service and for making our evening truly unforgettable. I also want to acknowledge the other remarkable staff member I encountered on previous visits, whose role I am unsure of, but whose commitment to excellence was equally noteworthy. If you find yourself in search of a top-notch cocktail bar with an inviting ambiance and exceptional staff, look no further than The Donovan, where you are sure to be treated to an unforgettable experience.

The ambience and cocktails are amazing, but what turns a good bar into a great bar is the service and it was incredible. Eduardo was extremely welcoming and professional. Grazie Mille!

Very good atmosphere and interesting cocktails

Might be the top bar on london. I was impressed with the drinks, bartenders, and atmosphere. Truly amazing.

The Donovan bar is located in Brown's Hotel, which first opened in 1837, making it one of London’s oldest hotels. In 2018, the iconic Donovan Bar was relaunched following a redesign and the arrival of legendary bartender and consultant Salvatore Calabrese, who has created a classy yet informal atmosphere, where everyone will feel welcome. Salvatore has put together an outstanding bar team: Federico Pavan, Cristiana Pirinu, Fabio Spinetti, Alessandro Vella, Donato Pasquariello, Martina Petrelli, Chiara Falcone and Raffaele Pupetto. The nearly all-Italian team always makes you feel at home at The Donovan.

I’ve been recently in this bar with a friend, and we had one of the best services we could have in a bar. The place looks amazing and it’s very cozy, the sofa where we were, very comfy. The cocktails are very good and well-presented with sophisticated preparations and garnishes. I want to mention Alessandro (a guy I believe was part of the management) for his amazing service: very friendly and yet very professional and knowledgeable, he listened to our preferences and helped us to find the best cocktail for our palate. Looking forward to coming back.

This was my second evening visit to the Donovan bar, to enjoy their extensive range of cocktails. Service was great, nothing was too much trouble. The waiting staff know the menu and made a couple of recommendations. The ‘complimentary’ cheese bits were a nice touch. Yes it’s exceptionally pricey but worth a visit if you’re celebrating a particular occasion. Four of us spent £400 on two cocktails each and a shot.

Alessandro was doing best service! Well done ✅ from Aurel.

A real hotel bar welcome with some of the warmest hospitality I’ve received this year! Chiara is amazing

Have not visited this bar for some time. Returned yesterday,. It was as good as before, Christina our waitress was good, The Ruinart champagne was excellent. Lovely decor and music, good atmosphere and clean!

I popped in yesterday evening for a quick cocktail. I was taken care of as soon as I stepped through the door until the moment I walked out. Shannon was absolutely brilliant! She was very kind, knowledgeable, talkative and helped by recommending her favourite cocktail, which is now my favourite. They give you little nibbles of olives and Parmesan cheese which was a great touch. I was hoping for it to have been a little more social however I ended up just really enjoying the ambiance and getting away from the loud crowds. I will definitely be back, thank you for such a short, sweet and most lovely experience :)

Having indulged in the champagne afternoon next door in The Drawing Room at Browns we rounded off our girly day with cocktails. The bar has a lovely atmosphere and interesting menu with numerous options tried between us. The perfect end toa wonderful day out

Amazing bar, great drinks and great atmosphere. Shoutout to Lavania who made our night special. Filled with laughter and great vibes! Highly recommend

Excellent service and coffee ☕️.

Really good drinks, superb service and lovely atmosphere

Attentive service, great wine selection

AMAZING !! Maybe the best cocktails ever, super friendly staff.. a real treat, will definitely be back

Nestled in sophistication, this cocktail bar exudes an air of elegance. The attentive staff adds a refined touch, ensuring a seamless experience. However, the prices, while reflective of the upscale ambiance, might be considered a tad high for some. Overall, a chic destination for those seeking a taste of luxury in their cocktail indulgence.

This is the oldest hotel bar in London and a very stylish location for groups or couples. With food and drinks available to order and featuring iconic images on the walls. I visited for a special launch party with live music and guest appearances.

Beautiful place, but I would prefer more smiling from the staff

Decadent cocktails and delightful atmosphere

Great bar inside Browns hotel. Service and drinks are first class

What a silly place! Change in staff through the evening meant change in attitude and unbelievable stupidity! If you can’t produce a cup of tea in a hotel, there’s no help for you!! There were Middle Eastern ladies at a table next to us and tea didn’t seem to be a problem for them .. when we decided this was stupid and had enough, even with the manager there, we asked for the bill, it had more cocktails on it than we had ordered. Shame. I liked this bar once! I’d never go back, horrible experience that got very uncomfortable fast!

Had a voucher for cocktails and had lunch. Atmosphere was relaxed and service was not intrusive. Great cocktails. The Big Smoke

Stumbled on this bar and loved it. The vibe was exceptional, beautifully furnished and lit. Great staff, great atmosphere.

Dropped in for an hour or two on Saturday night. Pleasant experience overall. We were quite excited by the reputation and history of the place but we felt like the cocktails were a bit of a mixed bag. Absolutely loved "Deep Blue" though and the service was on point.

As chic as it gets. Ironically the best value on the wine list is the Ruinart NV. Oh, and it's Kingsley Amis.

Fantastic cocktails. Great staff. Drinks are served with parmesan cheese bites and olives. Fancy. Intimate. Cosy. Loved it.

We went to the Donovan last night to have a drink for my girlfriend's birthday. While the atmosphere was great, the level of service was not at all what you would expect in an upscale establishment. My girlfriend accidentally spilled her cocktail, and the servers' reaction was nothing more than a sigh as they had to clean up the spilled drink. Not a word to inquire if we wanted another drink or to offer an alternative for which I'd have been happy to pay for as it was my girlfriend's mistake.

Nice vibe but I didnt like the non alcohol drinks

This is a wonderful lace for early evening cocktails, in fact we stepped through the adjoining door from afternoon tea next door in Browns Drawing Room. Great atmosphere, good choice of drinks, excellent service

Interesting… actually staying in a “ competitor”hotel (dukes)just around the corner. Stopped in for drinks tonight after dinner in Shepherd Market. Very quiet (it is a Monday - so not surprising) Great waitress - took our drink order promptly, delivered promptly - drinks were great — nothing to concern us at all… until my husband went off to the bathroom. I’m sitting on my own in the corner and a rat darts out from under my chair and then straight under again. I double take.. sometimes your eye play tricks, but it comes out again… feet shoot up on opposite chair and I beckon the waitress, swiftly ask for bill and very quietly alert her to the problem… she nods in acknowledgement (great - I dont want to make a scene - they do need to know )… not til after I’ve told my husband and we’ve left when he says “did they seriously deliver you the complete bill?” Did I question anything… sad thing was- we were just talking about changing our allegiance from dukes to browns… not so keen - the nonchalance of the waitress would suggest they might have heard this before. The old London saying that you are never 6 feet away from a rat may be urban myth however not expecting to find them in 5 star hotels.

Delicious cocktails, impeccable service, lovely atmosphere, what’s not to love?

Lovely place, beautiful cocktails and fantastic service from the Italian manager.

One of the best bars in the world

Try the in-house special at the bar. You will love it. I call it head of state

Great drinks, an elegant atmosphere, and professional waiters. The Donovan is home to the world's oldest and most expensive drink, which packs over 700 years into a glass, including cognac from 1788, setting you back £5500. That’s a bit too expensive for my wallet, but I enjoyed a few good cocktails and also got the truffle toast with onion soup. The cocktails were great, and the meal was pretty good. I also love that they provided complimentary quality cheese and olives as snacks for the table. The staff were professional, but a bit too serious/stiff. You can expect the prices for the «regular» drinks to be in the ~£25 price range. Winston Churchill was a regular in this place, and it felt natural to try «The Winston», which was listed on the menu on the website. Unfortunately, the menu on their website was not updated, and they had stopped offering that drink. That was a bit disappointing, but I got recommended a similar drink called «Big small». The drink was excellent!

One of the coolest bar in Mayfair. Located in a quiet and elegant street, The Donovan is defo a must-try in London. Not to mention the flawless cocktails and the kindness and knowledge of Martina, who really knows her stuff and is always ready to accomodate every guest's request

Beautiful hideaway, outstanding Old Fashions and service to remember.

Beautiful bar with excellent, creative drinks. Quiet on our Tuesday night visit. Drinks are a expensive but service was spectacular

The service and cocktails are top-notch class! Federico is a so impressive bartender. I feel great every time I come in this place.

Alessandro & Donato we’re the perfect gentleman If you want the best martini and cocktails in london come here

Enjoyed a gin and tonic with Jayne. Friendly, helpful staff. Expensive but a nice treat.

Vodka martinis with my dad went down a storm! Highlight for Christmas drinks!

We arrived just before the business crowd, severely underdressed for the venue (post-jog attire) but desperately in need of cocktails. Was met by gracious, helpful, attentive, and unpretentious service. Delicious inspired and classic cocktails, elegant ambiance. Will return anytime I’m in London— likely under the same conditions.

Salvatore Calabrese and his team have created a truly luxurious experience. Love his 'breakfast martinis' (at the cocktail hour, of course).

Superb cocktails and great atmosphere and setting 🍸

Incredible cocktails with impeccable service.

Excellent drinks and service. Quite expensive, but looking at their clientele that isn't an issue. Served a delicious dish of aged cheddar and olives which were really enjoyable with our drinks.

Good service in a superb bar in Browns Hotel in Albemarle Street London. This is a popular bar which, at busy times is safest to book. Highly recommend.

Great cocktails, calm & classy ambiance

Beautiful venue, worthy of Kingsley Amis. Excellent service, great cocktails 🍸 Felt very luxurious and decadent. Would come again

One of those rare places that is unquestionably at the top of the tree. Globally.

Amo questo posto per L atmosfera e la storia, livello dei cocktails e del servizio di altissima qualità

Best drinks in town with a great atmosphere. A huge thank you to Roberta and Martina for your service, knowledge and sweetness

Lively, cozy, great service and very fun bartenders Federico and Alessandro. Nothing more to add.. food menu very good as well.

Lovely place to sit and enjoy the atmosphere in front of a fire. The cocktails were tasty and the cheese and olives they provided as bar nibbles were delicious

Was really excited to try this bar as my fiancé and I are trying to work out way through the 50 best bars. Having been to a few others on the list, Donovan bar was middle-range. The decor and bar itself is beautiful and I loved the moody lighting. My fiancé loved his drink and I thought mine was good. I wish we would have sat at the bar to order straight from the bartender. The service is where they lost marks for me. All of the servers were a bit lacklustre, and weren’t the friendliest. On top of that, we asked for the bill when I had about 20% of my cocktail left. When she took the bill, she took my drink not finished yet and I had to ask for it back to finish. After that, I felt in a bit of a rush to head out of there. I would like to enjoy my entire drink without feeling in a rush, especially when paying £20+ for it. I would return to give it another shot, as maybe it was just an off night.

I’ve been on November…Incredible place, very satisfied about the atmosphere and the cocktails. It is a place that you can relax, enjoy nice music, drink tasteful cocktails and have a nice conversation…

Very cool and elegant, the bartender Chiara is very friendly and good, in my opinion perfect drink, i'm going to return in this bar the next time in London

Amazing staff and cocktails. We enjoyed the Alaska drink with 150 year old alcohols. Incredible selection with a lovely ambiance.

I love this bar, it’s perfect anytime but especially so late afternoon in winter. The ambience, furnishings, lighting and service is just right. Go and enjoy!

Visited the bar on 2nd January 2023. Was thrilled to discover I could enjoy a chilled bottle of Noughty with a friend. Though for a price of £50. Service was as always perfectly attentive and accommodating. My friend loved the martini. The ambiance at the Donavan bar was as usual perfect for a gathering of friends. The food on the night was surprisingly poor, with my kale served raw and pasta rather cool.

Fabulous cocktails in one of the world's truly magnificent bars

Unfortunately wasn’t able to spend as much time here as I would have liked as we had to leave for a reservation, but my guest and I agreed we definitely want to come back. Great ambience and efficient and welcoming staff. The Wilde Nights cocktail I had ( inspired by Oscar Wilde) was top notch. Highly recommended.

What a beautiful bar - especially on a winter’s evening at Christmas. Great black and white photos of ‘60’s icons on the walls - and great cocktails. It’s part of Browns Hotel in Mayfair - pricey but worth it as a treat. Service was below par though. My friend asked for a coffee to be told they don’t have any / couldn’t take an order for coffee - despite the adjoining hotel restaurant being mere feet away? Surely not beyond their wit - in a 5 star joint - to sort it out. But no. Ok then, a non-alcoholic cocktail then. 10 mins later, still no drink so we had to ask again - and it came with a bit of attitude. When we asked for the bill - we waited for 10 mins until we had to ask again. It was odd because the staff were generally, really friendly but and it was almost like they nodded when you made an order then promptly forgot all about it? Might have been an off-night - and we’ll go back some time.

You’ll never find a P.O.C behind this bar , Salvatore and this place are one of the most racist in the bar industry

Treat yourself to what is perhaps the finest bar experience in London. World class service, creative and diverse menu and posh and welcoming vibe. Bartender Alexander treated us very well. I think you will like it.

Racist Donovan. Doormen told mother and sister that they are full. They explained to him that they are a part of a group who are already inside. In response the doorman suggested they are lying and that their kind would not be dining in such a place. Reminded my mum of the 60s. So probably a great place if you’re white … but if you fall below the family guy colour chart red line … probably not.

Amazing bar, with amazing staff! I forgot to ask the names, but there was a girl in the bar and a guy who wore glasses, you guys were the best! We got an excellent picture of the rare liquor stock they have. We heard some pretty interesting stories about these things. (Like the most expensive whiskey, and the last bottle of a vintage cognac) Last but not least the drinks were amazing, and so the people who are working here! Absolutely recommend it!!!! 😍❤️

One of the best bar in London ! Fantastic staff very friendly , delicious drinks and super service !

Dropped in on Friday evening to celebrate a birthday and was lucky enough to meet Salvatore Calabrese. Not only welcomed like an old friend but shared some great cocktails with the ginger foam being memorable. Hopefully we will be going back soon

Very nice bar unfortunately when I spoke to the manager he had an awful breath, waiters clearly stressed and the cheese appetiser was recycled between different guests

Excellent service, specious bar and lounge. We ordered champagne. The bar provided delicious cheese and olives to go with the drinks. Very clean indeed. Attentive waitress.

Visited with a few friends on their recommendation and we weren't disappointed by the amazing cocktails, top notch service and slick surroundings. Try the sparkling side of the moon or a Winston for an amazing taste sensation. Alessandro is a wizard and gave us a detailed description of our cocktails. To be clear this isn't a cheap place to go for cocktails but you get what you pay for and that is pure class. We'll be back.

Wonderful drinks, wonderful service in a cozy cool bar that makes you feel like you are cooler for being there! Certainly if you are staying at Brown's, but even if you are just in the area - highly recommend!!

Visited on a Friday night after dinner near by. Was looking for a quiet intimate bar with good cocktails so after looking through the pictures I thought this was a good place. It is situated in a hotel and the door man was very welcoming. The bar itself is quite beautiful and the cocktail menu has a great selection of drinks. Would defo recommend and will be back. Drinks were on the pricey side but it is what you would expect for the area so no complaints.

Per la prima volta ho detto: "Wow" a 360° in un locale a Londra. Impeccabili su tutto e non capisco come non sia classificato nei primi 5 in classifica dei World 50 Best Bars. Personale davvero gentile e preparato a livello merceologico e galateo. Il personale di sala anch'esso ha le stesse competenze dei Bartender, insomma non si puó che rimanere felici dopo un servizio effettuato in questo locale. Ambiente tranquillo e pulito correttamente dai Servizi Igienici al Banco. Cocktail di altissima qualità con prodotti ricercati e pregiati in quanto storici. Ottima Drink List con abbinamento in ambito Arte e Cultura. Non posso fare altro che complimentarmi con tutto lo Staff e anche ai Manager Salvatore Calabrese e Federico Pavan ideatori di questo concept aperto da circa 4 anni. Attualmente posso confermare che a mio parere da Esperto in ambito ho.re.ca. e cliente di soli Luxury Bars Internazionali (compresi i top 10) che é il miglior Cocktail Bar che ho mai trovato. 🤩

Following our Afternoon tea birthday celebrations we migrated through to Donovans and secured the lovely semi circular booth where the menu choices for cocktails were varied (some of us continued with champagne!) and our very special afternoon morphed into the perfect early evening. As in our previous visit nearly three years before (thanks Covid), the staff, the style, the ambience etc were all excellent

Great selection of cocktails. The service was exceptional too

The best bar in London, with the best hospitality and ambiance. The waitresses and waiters are so welcoming and kind. They make sure that you are served well.

Charming atmosphere at this modern meets traditional spot. What great drinks, well crafted and beautifully presented. If you are looking for pizazz go for the Winston and prepare to be impressed both with the initial visual impression and then the flavor. And the read between the lines was also a treat. The wines and spirits were also sensational. Didn’t dare to go for the rares but they are abundant. Highly recommend.