Anita Writes at The American Bar, The Savoy

 

One of my most favorite Bar experiences occurred during my last trip to London in 2020 (which seems like eons ago now). 

It was unplanned and it was a wonderful treat. I was spending my day otherwise when I came across this bar at The Savoy London. I was scheduled for a viewing of the play, 9-5 at the Savoy Theatre. However, due to some last minute lockdown notices, it was cancelled. With so much time on my hands, I decided to do the next best thing, pop round to the hotel to see what type of activity I could use to pass the time. 

Unbeknownst to me the hotel had this popular renowned bar, aptly called The American Bar that is known for their award-winning cocktails and bartenders. It was a dark mahogany themed old Hollywood looking bar with a jazz piano lounge singer and a very charming courteous waitstaff. Based on this intro, you already know the vibe sets the mood for some grown up cocktails, and discussions. 

I had my usual grown lady drink, a Manhattan. Even though it cost almost £14 for one drink served in the teeniest of cocktail glasses that you can gulp down with one solid gulp, the drink was solid. One of the best Manhattans I've ever had. When I have them in Lagos, they always taste sour, with a bitter aftertaste that boasts that something in the liqueur is not fresh or has gone bad. But this one was smooth, smoky and earthy, you could tell the whiskey was aged perfectly. It came with some fresh nuts and a glass of water to douse the alcohol's intensity. In Lagos, you would have to pay for the water and specifically request for the nuts.

Something about sitting there, soaking it all in, sipping that very expensive cocktail while listening to the jazz piano made me feel so grown. It was way above budget for me at that time and still is with the Forex towering over our local currency. But I thought, when next will I get this opportunity? How often do we get to do this, live in this moment, occupy this space and time, how often? So I ordered another one just so it doesn't live as a fleeting moment in my life instead as something I would savor, until the next trip to London. 

If you're reading this from London, have a cocktail (or two) at The Savoy on my behalf.