When the world renowned Cocktail Maestro himself - Salvatore Calabrese - opens up a new bar, you have high hopes of sublimity and inimitability. Velvet, part of the fantastic Corinthia London‘s offering, is nothing short of a victory parade in its attention to detail, mesmerizing interior, and - of course - the oh-so sought after blend between classics done right and interesting takes on the modern era. 🎷 8/8: Draped in burgundy velvet, with a massive bar counter as the centerpiece - this is a cocktail bar at its very finest, with interior courtesy of David Collins Studio. 🥃 8/8: Where to start? It’s all done right - the different sections of the menu, the descriptions, the execution. They have the 1920s classics, 2020s modern era, a whole section on Martinis (Salty Martini is a new Dandy favorite), and of course Salvatore’s signatures. You’ll be stuck here for hours. Plus points for the Golden Era Vintage Cocktails - but pricey is just their middle-name. 👨‍🔬 8/8: Some of the bartenders may seem young at first glance, but they’re all old souls, well schooled in the classic world, and with an impeccable sense of perfection. What makes it even more interesting is that they’re on a rotational schedule - one day they’re a bartender, the next day they’re a waiter - a great feature for the guests. 🧊 7/8: Big, clear ice and an ice stamp - to go for the full score, invest in a block of ice each evening, and take the ice game to the next level. The devil is in the detail, as we all know, and in order to battle dilution to its furthest extent, all cocktail glasses are kept in the freezer. Gold star. If you’re in London, you’re doing yourself a big favor by booking a full evening at Velvet (the real pros would of course avoid any meetings before lunch the day after as well - recuperation and katzenjammer should not be taken lightly). While enjoying some of the best cocktails London has to offer, you’re in for a show while people-watching the other guests - Corinthia Hotel is one of the swankiest on offer. Cocktail: Salty Martini