The American Bar
The American Bar is the longest surviving cocktail bar in London and one of the most renowned in the world. Serving classics with a twist, new and vintage creations and legendary bartender’s signature drinks - like Harry Craddock’s famous White Lady – the American Bar remains at the forefront of the industry, been recently named World’s Best Bar at World’s 50 Best Bars.
The bar features a live pianist seven days a week, playing (of course) American Jazz. The 'Coast to Coast' menu is a journey across Britain from South to North, and a vivid reflection of the island’s verdant landscapes, timeless folklore, illustrious history and distinctive characters. Beginning in the Garden of England and finishing at Castle Rock, the cocktail menu uses visually-striking serves, explorative ingredients and nuanced flavours to imaginatively capture the spirit of a nation.
In 2017 the American Bar received one of the highest accolades in the bar industry, the title of World's Best Bar, at the World's 50 Best Bars awards. As transatlantic travel became more popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, many American Bars opened throughout London.
The term ‘American Bar’ refers to a bar serving mixed or ‘American’ style drinks, more commonly known as cocktails The American Bar at The Savoy is the longest surviving of these bars and one of the most iconic cocktail bars in the world.
In 1903 the first truly ‘famous’ bartender arrived at the American Bar, a lady named Ada ‘Coley’ Coleman, whose signature cocktail was the Hanky Panky, still a popular choice today. Ada’s successor was the inspirational Harry Craddock, who not only created a number of classic cocktails but who notoriously compiled these recipes into the legendary Savoy Cocktail book, still regarded today as the bartender’s bible.
Following The Savoy’s restoration, the American Bar appointed the world-renowned Erik Lorinz as its eleventh head bartender, and recently appointed Philippa Guy as senior bartender, the first female in this role for 100 years.
In 2011the American Bar was awarded World’s Best Hotel Bar at Tales of The Cocktail, where Erik Lorinz himself received was named Best International Bartender. Also in 2011 the American Bar was awarded Best Bar in the Virtuoso Best of the Best Awards.