About Vesper

The Vesper Bar has long been a landmark on London’s luxury hotel scene, but a recent refurbishment by Martin Burdinsky Studio has completely transformed the venue, creating a space that, while retaining a vintage aesthetic, feels thoroughly contemporary.

Inspired by the spirit and elegance of the 1930s, this decadent setting is enriched with striking details: a ceiling gilded with palladium leaf and racing-green leather bar stools provide the perfect backdrop for an opulent atmosphere. Yet not everything is “old school”: from Wednesday to Saturday, DJs keep the energy alive as sunlight streams through the corner windows and Martini hour gradually transitions into the evening.

The cocktails are conceived around the Olfactory Pyramid, a concept that visualizes fragrance through three layers: top notes (opening), heart notes (core), and base notes (lasting impressions). Following extensive research and development, the cocktail list was designed to evoke memories through scent. The fragrances explored through Essentia include mushroom foraging in the woods, the salty air of summers spent boating, the picking of summer berries, childhood birthday cakes, thunderstorms, and the leather-bound books of a library.

While the cocktails are visually dramatic—featuring floating clouds and smoke-filled cloches—the real work happens behind the scenes, where a dedicated preparation team produces house-made syrups, shrubs, tepache, cordials, wines, ferments, sodas, and redistilled spirits. This commitment to fragrance and aroma extends to the menu itself, which opens like a perfumer’s fan, complete with a silver ring and leather tassel.

Guest comfort is a top priority: whether seated at the bar stools or relaxing in the more intimate snug area, the service is attentive without ever being intrusive, ensuring water glasses are constantly refilled and snacks replenished as needed. Even the water is “elevated,” infused with the freshest seasonal fruits. As expected, this attention to detail extends to the spirits selection: the Vesper Bar is the only bar in the world to hold and serve the entire Louis XIII cognac range by the glass. In addition, several forgotten products have been revived—the Dorchester Old Tom Gin, Forbidden Fruit liqueur, and Dorchester Booker’s bitters—all rediscovered, recreated, and made available since 2005.

Behind the scenes, the hotel as a whole employs staff from more than fifty nationalities and guarantees equal opportunities for professional growth across the team. Within the bar, senior management is predominantly female-led, and numerous benefits are offered, including pension schemes, access to mental health support services, and a taxi allowance for those working past midnight. Clearly, something is being done right: many team members have worked at the bar for over ten years, and Assistant Manager Giacomo Faure recently celebrated 25 years of service.