Heading to London? Stop for a Tipple at This Bar Dedicated to Champagne Cocktails

In a city like London, where cocktail culture dates back more than a century, it's hard to make a splash. But one swanky bar has found a way to do just that.

Set in the lobby of The Londoner Hotel in Leicester Square, The Stage blends contemporary design with classic service. Bartenders don white button downs with black ties and vests while mixing up a Champagne-focused menu that incorporates the best bubbly with different spirits, all topped with a range of garnishes and flavors.

London has most certainly become a cornerstone of the cocktail movement, if not kickstarting the movement to begin with. Storied bars like the American Bar at The Savoy, The Connaught, and Dukes have long mixed concoctions drawing worldwide attention. Harry Craddock, the longtime bartender at the Savoy, even printed what is considered one of the best cocktail books ever made for the hotel in 1930 — with many bartenders still using it today. The book includes a mind-blowing 750 cocktail recipes and has been republished dozens of times.

So, how can a new bar stand out in a city with so much history (and competition)? The Stage does just that by mixing old-world style with contemporary technique to offer cocktails brimming with personality and flavor.

Take the 1729, a new spin on the London Mule, which includes Ruinart Blanc de Blancs NV, a Manuka honey foam, saffron gin, Acqua di Cedro, ginger, lemongrass tea, and Liquore al Finocchietto. The drink is bright with just the right effervescence from the Champagne combined with the sweet foam and subtle savory notes from the lemongrass tea and saffron gin. Or try the La Première, which blends Belvedere vodka, First Romance tea from the East India Company, Cocchi Rosa vermouth, hibiscus, green tea liqueur, and Charles Heidsieck cordial. This take on the Martini adds a floral note with hibiscus and pulls the mango and strawberry notes from the tea. Unique cocktails like this have drawn crowds since opening in October 2021, becoming a favorite for celebrities and royals like Prince William and Sylvester Stallone. But with ample seating at cocktail tables, booths, and seats at the bar, guests won't be hard-pressed to find their place next to the A-list either.

So for those making their way to the city that started the cocktail renaissance, a stop at this new drinks lounge is a must. Just be sure to leave room for a bite, as the hotel offers a stellar selection of desserts conveniently displayed on a trolley right next to the bar. But really, what goes better with a martini than a small treat or two?