Do Not Disturb, London EC4: hotel bar review

Speakeasy-style hotel bar in The City.

Where is it?

A four-minute walk from Mansion House tube station.

What’s the vibe?

Vintry & Mercer (from the team behind Kensington’s The Ampersand Hotel) launched in early 2019 and its bar, Do Not Disturb, is a speakeasy-style underground affair accessed via a tucked-away entrance on Garlick Hill. Inside, discover a plush, dimly lit space with muted jewel tones, red-leather banquettes, art deco-style lamps and velvet chairs.

What’s the drinks menu like?

Head bar tender Cosmin Tigroso (previously of Nine Lives and Berners Tavern) has put together a roster of barrel-aged classic cocktails plus an array of playful house concoctions. Read our review of Nine Lives here.

Which cocktails to order?

Drinks at DND benefit from an innovative and imaginative approach to ingredients and flavour pairings. In the Martina, Don Papa rum (with appealing vanilla, marzipan and caramel notes), fresh grape, lemon juice and sugar syrup was balanced by a touch of soy sauce, turning what could have been a very sweet cocktail into something delicately fruity and elegant. Check out our round up of premium rums here.

In Reminder, intense, punchy mezcal (Santo de Piedra espadin) was given a lighter treatment, matched with Campari, orgeat and homemade kombucha for a long drink that was dry, smoky yet refreshing – perfect for afternoon sipping.

From the barrel-aged section, El Presidente (Plantation 3 Stars rum, Belsazar dry vermouth, Cointreau, grenadine, matured in a white port barrel) especially impressed – fruity and light yet with pleasing depth.

The Average Joe was deceptively simple: Bulleit rye whisky and Joe syrup – a concoction of white wine, banana, rosemary, thyme and coriander. It sounds like it shouldn’t work, but aromatic herbaceous notes, warmth from the whisky and a subtly sweet, rounded mouthfeel from the banana made it a winner.

Surprise hit of the night was Lift Yourself – Ocho Blanco tequila with asparagus, coconut water and vinegar. Served in a whimsical bird-shaped glass, the vegetal notes of the tequila matched beautifully with the asparagus (from the same family as agave) and the end result was savoury and subtly earthy, with a lingering finish.

Is there any food?

There’s a bar snacks menu of small plates, tacos and sliders – don’t miss out on the cheesy truffled polenta fries.

Where to go nearby for dinner

As well as the hotel’s two restaurants (head up to the Mercer Roof Terrace for views of St Paul’s and the Shard), walk to Bloomberg Arcade, a few minutes away, for the likes of Indian barbecue at Brigadiers and modern Chinese at Kym’s.

Insider tip

The Martina cocktail is a romantic ode to head bartender Cosmin’s girlfriend.

Price: From £12 for a cocktail.

vintryandmercer.com

Words by Hannah Guinness

Photographs by Amy Murrell