Smith & Whistle

I’ve visited Smith & Whistle once as a group of 8 to get free cocktails via the Drinki app. Must have been a pleasure for the staff right? A largeish not quiet group there to not spend any money? It didn’t help that the waiter had no idea about the offer. Yet he was gracious and polite, even when trying to figure it out!
Incidentally, I didn’t think much of the cocktail — but it was free, nicely presented with a hint of Alice In Wonderland (always a winner in my book!) and in a little bottle that actually held two glasses worth. Can’t complain! The drink didn’t seem to be on the normal cocktail menu. but there were a few I’d like to try. Next time!
The bar itself is lovely — a beautiful art deco interior as you would expect from a hotel bar on Park Lane. Very classy. I wasn’t dressed for it. The toilets are quite nice too, lots of marble and a machine to shine your shoes (fancy!). I did get a little lost finding my way back to the bar though!

I’m actually going to give Smith and Whistle four stars even though I really didn’t like my drink.
Now, here’s where they shine. Everywhere. This space is immaculate and beautiful and such a cool art deco vibe. You kind of expect flapper girls to just come out and start performing for you at any minute.
We were an annoying group of about eight and they sat us with no problem, moving seats around until we were all together. And the seats were nice and comfortable and it was easy to lose track of time.
We actually came to get a free cocktail from an app someone had discovered called Drinki. And here’s the cocktail they brought. It was beautiful, served in these very cool little milk bottles. It was giant, you poured out half and there was still half the bottle left in. And it was… eh. That’s it. The cocktail almost tasted of nothing. It wasn’t bad but it wasn’t good.
But it was their free cocktail and as a way to get me into the space and trying out something new, I liked it. I will be back for more for sure.

A few of us came here after a Unilocal event, as we’d made the discovery of the Drinki app (look it up!) and this was the nearest place offering a free cocktail.
We bundled in and I was instantly blown away by the impressive décor (it’s part of the Park Lane Hotel so, honestly, I wouldn’t have expected anything less). I showed the Drinki app to the bartender, who was super friendly and happily talked me through what was in the cocktail they were offering for free (I can’t remember anything he said after ‘brandy’ though).
It was table service, which was nice, but took ages; the cocktails were pre-​mixed and in bottles, so I genuinely don’t understand why it took 10+ minutes for them all to arrive. When they did, they were garnished with burnt orange and in a generous sized bottle that actually yielded two glasses! They tasted of… nothing. It was essentially a bottle of salmon pink water, I couldn’t taste the brandy at all. I would never part with money for such a low quality cocktail, so I’m glad it was free.
However, I did have a browse of the menu and it was pretty good value for money, considering the bar’s upper middle class location. I also enjoyed watching a group of well to do people all coming in for a single glass of Champagne each and then leaving. Who does that?! Haha, such wealth.
The toilets were out of this world, I spent ages marvelling over them and ooh-​ing and ahh-​ing at the pretty marble décor of everything. You have to navigate your way through a confusing labyrinth of hotel corridors to find them though, and the dated 70s colour scheme is reminiscent of The Shining, which is a bit creepy.
I’ve knocked off two stars for the crap cocktail and slow service. However, I am more than willing to come back and give them another chance to see if the drinks fare better when I’m actually paying for them, so this score may improve!

Really nice little cocktail bar attached to The Park Hotel. We nipped in here for a night cap as Angela and Livi kindly informed us that if you download Drinki you can receive a free cocktail. Free cocktail? Yes please.
The venue is rather grand, beautifully sleek and with a relaxed atmosphere.
We ordered our cocktails, showed the kind gentleman our app and within minutes our cocktails were ready.
They were pink and fruity. Being a fussy cocktail drinker I was apprehensive but they came in cute little bottles and you could actually get 2 full glasses out of one bottle which was great!
I actually really enjoyed it and loved the crystallised orange and clove touch.
Lovely bar, perfect for a relaxing drink. I’ll be back!

Cool retro (20’s) designed place with slightly overpriced but well made drinks. Friendly staff.

Well impressed with this place! Yeah it’s pricey, but it’s Mayfair, so of course! The cocktails are great, seating area is so relaxed and the service is absolutely AMAZING!
It’s that place you want a date to choose for you! Super ideal for a cosy, romantic night out or just a catch up with friends.
I loved the menus, which was like a detective game, where you tick what you want. A nice touch and in keeping with how the place was founded! Definitely check out this place if you’re in the area, even on a small budget, you can get yourself a beer for under a fiver, which is Londons standard price… What are you waiting for?!

Such a pretty place! I loved the modern Art Deco décor just as much as the creative cocktails. The Inspector Detective Smith is a must-​try, just like The Fizz; both are delicious and prefectly balanced.
Good to find a bar that takes things a bit further than just mojitos and martinis!