The Fumoir Bar in City of London, Westminster

I was curious about this bar. The reviews and articles made it seem like my thing. I found it a rather unfortunate waste of time and money. Normally, the lighting in bars isn't that big of a deal for me. I love a dark, moody spot. But, I mean, this is Claridge's. It just appeared as if someone forgot to pay the lecky or flip on the switches at the beginning of their shift. What a disappointment. And it's not dark and sultry like a secret cigar and gin bar from the Prohibition era. It's just plain dark. You can't even fully appreciate the décor and design. It didn't create mood; it killed it. Reading the menu is a fun exercise in figuring out how bad your eyesight is, and if you're at the age yet to pull out a mobile phone light to read. (That said, the menu is quite nice. I liked how it was organised and seemed to make good sense.) [The photos I have posted are heavily edited to lighten them, except one and even that has my phone adjusting automatically for low light.] The drinks were like water. Again, I am aware of the standard pricing in these establishments and was fully prepared for it. However, I want to at least taste a little bit of alcohol, even in a long drink. I want to taste *something* other than soda water and lemon. I barely even got a hint of ginger -- in a Penicillin riff! Instead, what I feel like I received was a £25 lemon La Croix poured into a glass. There are similar luxury hotel bars that manage to create good value experiences. This just isn't one of them. The atmosphere was off, the drinks were laughably childish, and the vibes were dull. The server was okay, but again, nothing special. When I'm at Claridge's, I want special. Otherwise, what's the point?

Had a drink in this lovely Art Deco bar before enjoying afternoon tea. A small and intimate space with a lovely atmosphere.

Got 4 cocktails in total. They were good but nothing out of the ordinary. Hence, £25 per cocktail was a bit of a stretch.

Best martini I’ve had and such lovely and authentic staff!

Prefect on Christmas Eve - magical We could of stayed all day relaxing, eating and drinking, a wonderful start to the Christmas season

Lovely, classy prohibition era style cocktail with excellent drinks and service. Will certainly be back!

Ably competes with Morley’s for the best fried chicken in town. It’s crispy, moist, and the portions are generous. But let down by some of the other bites, and lifted by the service and champagne.

Amazing visits as always, staff and cocktails are always excellent. We love Ella, particularly.

George, as always, wonderful service.

Excellent Bar with a wonderful atmosphere and superb staff.

A beautiful calm space to enjoy a cocktail with impeccable service from friendly staff. Lighting could be better.

A proper hotel cocktail bar where you see the best and worst of people in the fellow patrons....great place

Great cocktails and nice atmosphere.

The barkeeper was really friendly and the drinks were excellent!

Very expensive but what did you expect going to a tiny hidden bar inside Claridges?

What a great place. The staff makes this one of the best bars in London. It is cozy and beautiful, yet in the middle of all Claridges has to offer.

You do not find joints like this anymore…

Can't beat a good cocktail at Claridges :) Friendly staff and a great atmosphere.

You get what you expect for a fancy cocktail bar in a fancy hotel - very expensive, decent service, okay cocktails.

One of the sexiest and most beautiful bars in London. It's part of Claridge's, but you can order a beer in here if you want. The service is excellent, as you would expect from a five star hotel.

Just amazing! Oysters and champagne are just wonderful! Staff very attentive(it is Claridges after all) The only downside would be, is they don’t take reservations and you might not be seated if they were fully booked! But they always do their best not to disappoint

Superb interior, dim lighting, it feels both cozy and quirky. The drinks could be better though

Beautiful, luxurious and relaxing surroundings, our every need was catered for, it felt very special

Service was good, drinks were (as expected) overpriced, cheese board was surprisingly average, not christmasy enough

Reuben was the best, couldn't have asked for more, had a pleasant time in good company and he went above and beyond to make it a good experience

Please bring back the Claridge’s Julep!

Great bar and decor 🥃 lovely staff too.

Very attentive and polite as always. Perfect place for some quiet drinks after work.

Just amazing... all recommendations...

This was hands down one of the coolest bars my husband and I have ever been! Amazing cocktail list that was super unique, and the atmosphere inside was awesome. Loved how hidden away it was too and the mysteriousness inside! Our server, who I can't remember by name unfortunately but I know he was French, was so great and talked us through the flavours and menu brilliantly. He also made us these amazing cocktails that were full of flavour and we could not be more thankful. The manager was great as well and we loved how kind everyone was throughout the evening. Lovely place to visit for drinks and we will definitely return!

Lovely atmosphere but very pricey.

Pricey and rather pretentious. A small place without windows trying to create a belle epoque atmosphere out of virtually nothing. Service is okay.

I honestly think they have the best cocktails is london. Fumoir is always a great place to unwind and enjoy some seriously great cocktails done with so much finesse. The service was very professional was well. Personal favourites: Sazerac, Boulevardier, Negroni

Quiet, dark bar with great signature menu and very professional staff.

Marvellously hidden bar inside Claridge's! Fantastic cocktails and great ambience. A place for flapper girls and dandies to start the evening.

Great cocktails and ambience. Beautifully and decadently decorated. Try to get a seat with a view of the dinning room.

The Fumoir is an opulent cocktail bar, great for a quiet nightcap! Service fantastic as you would expect from Claridges.

Expensive but delicious cocktails

El mejor bar en Claridge's, acogedor y reconfortante para las bebidas de la tarde o de la noche. ¡De hecho, en cualquier momento de cualquier día sería genial!

Wonderful ambience. The cocktail waiters were very professional, especially Alexandro, and our drinks were perfection!

Stunning decor in this tiny bar and fantastic cocktails

Tiny snug. You used to be able to smoke here. I can't believe you still can. My first visit was spoiled by sitting next to Isabella Blow - she loudly declaimed "I was his MUSE y'know". We chuckled. She was a bore. Shortly afterwards she died. (not *that* shortly afterwards). But what I mostly remember about this place is the bar snacks. They are so delicious, so more-ish, so mmmm-mmm! that they really do allow you to temporarily forget that you've just spent what the average worker will have to work almost a whole day for, just for rwo wee little drinkettes. Beware, ye who enter here!

Nice second bar of the hotel. I prefer this one for the more intimate atmosphere. Good cocktails