Comfortable and self possessed
The Donovan Bar feels less like a room inside Brown’s Hotel than a bar with an identity of its own. Green armchairs, framed photography, and a long illuminated counter give the room personality without making it feel formal. Comfortable alcoves and corners work especially well for groups.
The layout creates a sense of independence from the hotel around it. The result feels local rather than transient, with a character that could suit several generations of drinkers.
Order beyond the espresso martini
The espresso martini landed in the middle of our London crawl. It was good, but it missed both the force of flavor and the deep chill we wanted. It did not give us a compelling reason to make coffee the focus of the order.
The Dolce Negroni was much more distinctive. Tequila, Savoia, Campari, Marsala, coconut, and cacao combined into a bittersweet and tropical drink. It had the personality that the espresso martini lacked and felt much more connected to the bar’s confident identity.
A strong group stop
We would return for the comfortable room and the ease of settling into one of its corners with other people. The strongest plan is to treat The Donovan Bar as a destination in its own right, find an alcove if one is available, and order with the bar’s personality rather than defaulting to the espresso martini.
Is this your night?
- Go if
- You want a comfortable Mayfair bar with alcoves that work well for a group and a personality distinct from the hotel.
- Choose another bar if
- A powerful espresso martini is the main reason for the stop.
