When it first opened its doors over 20 years ago, the Blue Bar, with its standout hue specially created from 50 different shades of blue, became the first spot to make hotel bars a place to be seen and a ‘scene’ in their own right. It was an early haunt of entertainment royalty counting Madonna, a close friend of Collins, as a regular guest and the bar has seen two sell-out CD collections of its most signature sounds from world music and jazz to deep house. This became a legendary compilation, climaxing with a rare mix of ‘Music’ – a coup appointed to the bar by Madonna who rarely appeared on compilation discs.
Today the Blue Bar continues to be an epicenter of mixology and cocktail culture, and this summer will see its treasured walls enter a new chapter with a menu devised by Bar Manager Marcello Cauda. The menu takes inspiration from the Blue Bar’s rich heritage – the physical menu itself both nods to the design of the iconic mirrors which have always hung in the bar, whilst also mimicking a vinyl sleeve reflecting the bar’s music credentials. Titled ‘Blue Move’, the cocktail menu includes twelve signature cocktails, two of which can be made non-alcoholic.
Highlights from the new snacks menu include steak tartare crumpets, topped with confit egg yolk and pickled shallot; churros with lashings of shaved Manchego cheese; Dorset crab tacos and a 5 star take on the humble hot dog. Additionally, as a new signature touch every night, at 11 o’clock the bar team will circulate French fries piled high on ornate silver trays (complete with obligatory ketchup and mayo), and delicately distribute with silver tongs, creating the ultimate high / low snacking moment.
The Blue Bar’s glass pavilion is now dedicated to exclusive vinyl-only sets which DJs will provide every Thursday to Saturday evening. The new state-of-the-art decks and vinyl’s sit against a statement floor-to-ceiling blue tassel backdrop, evoking a moody atmosphere designed for drinking and dancing. Flickering throughout the bar, Belgravia local and friend of the hotel Rachel Vosper has created bespoke Blue Bar candles, aptly wrapped in blue leather to reflect the leather found on the floor, which are enriched with precious woods and caressed with hints of clove, tart rhubarb, and nutmeg.
