Scarfes Bar | Sophisticated Holborn Snug
Gerald Scarfe has the rare distinction of being the only person on earth who has both a species of dinosaur (Cuspicephalus Scarfi) and a hotel bar named after them.
It’s almost cartoonish.
And for now, we’ll focus on that hotel bar. That is, Rosewood London’s Scarfes Bar in Holborn. This drawing room-meets-gentleman’s club style cocktail snug displays a collection of Scarfe’s satirical paintings, alongside over 1,000 antique books and a roaring fireplace, whilst a mixture of wingback chairs, velvet booths and sofas populate the room.
Set just opposite Holborn Dining Room, and in an area gasping for a good drinking den, Scarfes Bar is the perfect bolthole to retire to after dinner, or on a rainy Sunday afternoon. Smartly jacketed barkeeps bustle behind the long, polished bar, while a daily line up of crooners and musicians work their way through a soothing soundtrack of jazz standards.
As for what you’ll be drinking at Scarfes Bar? Well, they’ve just launched a brand new menu, ‘From Scratch’, which pays homage to classic cocktails. Only Scarfes is currently ranked #41 in the World’s Best Bars list, so they’re doing a lot more than your typical negroni here.
Try a Golden Touch, an update on the Martinez which adds chocolate-infused red wine and black cherry to the usual gin & sweet vermouth. Or the highly drinkable Figgy Star, which laces a sparkling sake & gin base with notes of green banana and fig. Every drink packs some seriously impressive craftsmanship.
They’re all backed up by a refined snack menu of wild boar & black pudding scotch eggs and potato mille-feuille with caviar; a selection of over 200 single malt whiskies; and over 60 gins (as well as a good selection of wines, beers and fizzes).
It’s time to celebrate the Scarfe, in all its neck-warming glory.
NOTE: Scarfes is open daily, 4pm-late, with live music on nightly from 8pm-12am. There are no reservations; just turn up – you can find out more HERE. It’s also available for private hire for up to 120 guests.
Scarfes Bar | Rosewood London, 252 High Holborn, WC1V 7EN
Want to make an evening of it? Take a look at our guide to the best restaurants in Covent Garden