World’s Best Hotel Bar Nominees at Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards
Hotel bars {sigh}.When I travel to conferences, for business, on a romantic getaway, or just to meet friends, a hotel bar provides a fun, yet intimate setting for a cocktail or two. It’s a place to meetup before going out in a destination and it’s also the place people end up at the close of the evening.
Businesses are created at hotel bars and big deals are sealed. Amazing ideas magically appear at hotel bars, as scribblings on a cocktail napkin, formed from a moment of inspiration after a libation or two. One of my personal favorite hotel bars is at The Monteleone in New Orleans. The onsite Carousel Bar has quenched the thirst of many a famous person, and even a few infamous characters.
On July 20-24, 2011 cocktail enthusiasts and professionals from all over the globe wil gather around the Carousel Bar for Tales of the Cocktail, New Orleans’ annual spirited event. Tales of the Cocktail also hosts the annual Spirited Awards, honoring the best of the best in the cocktail industry, including the World’s Best Hotel Bar. This year, the nominees for that category are:
Artesian at The Langham, London, England – This glamorous cocktail bar is named after the 360 ft deep well located under The Langham Hotel. The decor is both exotic and romantic with alluring and contemporary touches. Artesian’s signature spirit is rum, but they serve a variety of drinks. The Cocktail Grazing Menu is for those who can’t quite decide what they are in the mood for. Visiting London with kids and want to stop in? Kids are welcome until 6pm on weekdays and 8pm on weekends. Website: http://www.artesian-bar.co.uk/
Clive’s Classic Lounge at Chateau Victoria Hotel, Victoria, British Columbia – This hotel bar is named after the hotel owner, Clive Piercy. The lounge itself is warm and inviting with Swarovski crystal lighting, comfy leather chairs, and two fireplaces to cozy up to while enjoying the social gastronomy and cocktail culture. Enjoy a concoction such as the Grilled Chees and Tomato Soup Martini, or the recently rediscovered Toronto. http://www.clivesclassiclounge.com
Clyde Common at The Ace Hotel, Portland, Oregon – This European style tavern opened in 2007. What sets it apart from most other hotel bars is that instead of purchasing aged spirits, bar manager Jeffrey Morganthaler ages his own cocktails in oak barrels. Happy Hour is Monday-Friday from 3pm-6pm. http://www.clydecommon.com/
The Savoy, London, England – This Fairmont Hotel has been a British icon since 1889 and recently underwent the largest hotel restoration in British history. Step up to the American Bar and enjoy one of Harry Craddock’s classic cocktails. The likes of Noel Coward, George Gershwin, George Bernard Shaw and H G Wells once frequented the American Bar. The recently opened Beaufort Bar is Art Deco and offers an extensive Champagne menu along with nightly cabaret performances. http://www.fairmont.com/savoy/
The Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards will be held on July 23, 2011 at The Mahalia Jackson Theater in New Orleans, LA. Tickets can be purchased at www.TalesoftheCocktail.com. Have you been to any of these notable hotel bars? Which hotel do YOU think has the best hotel bar in the world?
