Optimism seems to be in the air if you consider the number of new bar openings in the Mayfair/Marylebone area. Anywhere that doesn’t require driving to/petrol will certainly hit the spot this week, at least. Hot on the heels of its sister hotel’s new bar, Claridge’s The Painter’s Room Bar, which we recently visited, we bring you exciting news of The Red Room, the newest bar at The Connaught.
You probably suspect the name of the bar has something to do with the colour scheme, but it goes a little deeper than the décor. It’s partly a nod to the collection of red artworks displayed inside by four female creators: Louise Bourgeois, Jenny Holzer, Ti-a Thuy Nguyen and Trina McKillen.
Designed by Bryan O’Sullivan, The Red Room has room for 50 and is entered via a velvet-curtained doorway from the Connaught’s Champagne Room (although we're not entirely sure where that is ourselves). Apart from the artwork, you’ll definitely spot the shiny pink onyx bar and the Italian marble fireplace, which is flanked by two huge vibrant glass panels in red and blue (designed by Brian Clarke). The furniture evokes an eclectic sitting-room vibe, complete with an ombre scarlet snug beneath the glow of a massive antique pendant lamp.
But if art is not your thing, well, as luck would have it, the bar also has a collection of the world’s best red wines to tempt you in. Listen to vintage Italian and French music while perusing the wine list where you can try many rare wines by the glass. In fact, The Connaught has over 3,000 different labels and 30,000 bottles to choose from, so you may need some time to make up your mind. These include:
- 1994 Petrus (only the most famous Merlot in the world)
- 2011 Richebourg Grand Cru by Domaine de la Romanée-Conti
- 2016 Montrachet Grand Cru, produced by Domaine Thenard
- 2018 Sauvignon Blanc from the Eisele Vineyards in the Napa Valley
For anyone who's a fan of the hotel's martini trolley, there's another reason to visit this new bar, namely the arrival of two custom made trolleys – from the same marble as the bar's fireplace – which will be moving around the room to decanter and serve wine.
And of course, there’s also food to complement your wine selections including a charcuterie menu with British cheeses and hand-carved hams along with tempting bar snacks like gochujang chicken oysters and kale tempura.
More about The Red Room
Where is it? Carlos Pl, London W1K 2AL
When? 29 September 2021
Find out more: Visit their website or follow them on Instagram @theconnaught
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