Dukes Bar: Home of the ice cold, blindingly strong martini

A one time favourite of Ian Fleming, this hotel bar is famed for its seat side service and generous servings
David Ellis @dvh_ellis11 December 2017

Dukes is known fort wo reason: their martinis and their vespers. The St James’s hotel was a favourite haunt of James Bond author and (very) keen drinker, Ian Fleming, who supposedly came up with the ‘shaken, not stirred’ line here.

Their drinks are exceptionally strong and very large and it's for good reason that their award winning head barman Alessandro Palazzi won’t serve guests more than two. So break the mould: they’re a classic hotel bar, they serve a fine range of classic cocktails; try something different. There’s also a cognac and cigar garden which is fun to hang out in – there's usually a story or two you probably shouldn't overhear.

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