Donovan Bar in City of London, Westminster

Very good Martini and service. Nice atmosphere.

We had the pleasure of visiting the Donovan Bar and were once again impressed by the outstanding service. The staff was incredibly attentive, ensuring that every detail of our experience was perfect. Big thanks to Cristiana, who has been a great guide providing insightful explanations about the cocktails and the concepts behind them, making us feel truly welcomed. The drinks were exquisite, and the food was exceptional. A huge thank you to Cristiana and the entire team for a fantastic evening, we will definitely be back!

Inedible food, slow and unprofessional service, bad music and too much noise!

We had a nice evening here, for the second time, with some drinks and light meals. Great service, and good atmosphere.

Italian mixologist excellence in the heart of Mayfair. Cozy and elegant club style bar with great vibes. Vintage photos and fireplaces speak of an inviting place for all ages. The menu is splendidly curated with drinks you won’t find anywhere else. Beautiful spot for a nightcap and to meet people from all around the world.

Loved this place, the cocktails are great with my fav being head in the clouds. Service was excellent and very friendly staff, will be back again and stay longer!

Great experience as always Thank you guys 🙏

Tuvimos un tiempo encantador con mi hijo aquí , las bebidas antes de ir a cenar a la parrilla de Guinea han sido varias veces con mi marido antes del almuerzo, pero trató de ir ayer y el bar informado ahora no abierto hasta las 4 pm , terminamos aplastados en pequeñas sillas en el bar de Charlie , un poco decepcionados realmente como nos gusta nuestro cóctel a las 12 antes del almuerzo , de vuelta al Ritz ahora , vergüenza !

Siempre es bueno volver a este encantador bar. Amplia carta de cócteles, Buen servicio por Kiara. Tomamos el delicioso champán Ruinart. Una nota a Fredrico: Los horarios en Trip Advisor muestran 12 : 00 - 12 : 00 , lo cual es incorrecto. Los horarios reales son a partir de las 16 : 00 , lo cual es bastante engañoso.

Just a tip for the indian bar waitress : the person asking for the bill is the one that should pay for it...

Increíbles cócteles. Gran decoración y ambiente. Los bocados de bar también son geniales. Una visita obligada en Londres. Gran experiencia

Un objetivo u oportunidad como colega y yo estábamos en camino de las reuniones a la cena en otro lugar. El bar es precioso y probablemente vale la pena más tiempo de lo que pudimos pasar con él. Trozos de queso como el mordisco hicieron esto aún más inusual.

Probably the best bar i've ever been. Loved the martini, garnished with an olive. Nice place to hangout

had an incredible experience at Donovan Bar – a place that truly stands out for its atmosphere, cocktails, and exceptional staff. From the moment I walked in, I was impressed by the attention to detail, which created a warm and inviting vibe. The cocktails were expertly crafted, each one a perfect blend of flavors. A special shout-out goes to Edoardo and Alessandro, whose service was nothing short of unbelievable. They were incredibly attentive, ensuring every need was met while also bringing their own personal touch to the experience. The overall atmosphere was sophisticated yet relaxed, making it the ideal spot for en evening drink. I highly recommend Donovan Bar for anyone looking for top-notch service, delicious drinks, and a memorable evening. thank you Donovan team for everything.

Amazing bar with excellent food and drinks. Very nice atmosphere and really good service. Cocktails come in awesome glasses.

I had a fantastic evening at The Donovan Bar, and it truly exceeded my expectations! The atmosphere is incredibly classy and sophisticated, making it the perfect spot for a special night out. I enjoyed a great bottle of Bordeaux wine that was exquisite—rich and full-bodied, it paired wonderfully with the delightful small bites we ordered. Each bite was flavorful and perfectly crafted, adding to the overall experience. The service was impeccable, with attentive staff who made us feel right at home. If you're looking for a luxurious bar with exceptional wine and delicious food, I highly recommend The Donovan Bar. I can’t wait to return for another wonderful evening

Muy decepcionado con nuestra experiencia en este establecimiento. Mi familia y yo estábamos de compras en la zona y estábamos buscando un poco de refresco. Le preguntamos al maitre d' si estaba bien para nosotros, como no residentes, para parar a tomar una copa rápida que estaba más que feliz de acomodar. Después de sentarse en la zona del bar y esperar más de 15 minutos para el servicio nos dijeron entonces por el camarero que hay un estricto pedido de £ 20 minutos por cabeza. Cuando expliqué que solo nos deteníamos para tomar una copa rápida y que habíamos comprobado que estaba bien antes de sentarnos, simplemente nos aconsejaron que las reglas son reglas. Toda la experiencia fue muy embarazosa y enormemente decepcionante. Ciertamente no regresaremos.

Excelentes cócteles, licores y champañas. Gran ambiente, el personal es bien informado y atento. La comida también es muy buena, con excelente cavier y la colaboración con Andrew Wong resulta en algunas opciones realmente impresionantes.

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.

Excelente bar / lounge. Nuestro servidor y camarero eran geniales, las bebidas buenas. El menú de comida del bar era variado y disfrutamos de un buen almuerzo informal en el bar.

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.

Hermosa decoración, un ambiente encantador y muebles cómodos con estilo. El menú de bebidas es amplio. El servicio de Donato y Christiana fue impecable. Compartimos una botella de champán Ruinart Brut mientras escuchábamos la buena música de fondo mordisqueando parmesano desmenuzado y deliciosas aceitunas. Volveremos pronto.

Visitado el sábado 5 por la tarde. 10 . 2024 para averiguar dónde estaba el bar para una futura visita. El portero fue especialmente agradable y servicial en mostrarnos la zona del bar y nos aconsejó que pudiéramos entrar a mirar. Decidimos quedarnos y tomar cócteles y café. El personal del bar era muy agradable y atento. Cómodos asientos y una bonita decoración tradicional. Al salir vimos el mismo portero amable que luego amablemente nos informó sobre las noches de jazz celebradas en el hotel. Muy recomendable.

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

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

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

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!

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

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.