Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name but, on the other hand, sometimes you want to go where Lady Gaga and her entourage hang out when they hit London Town. With that, check out 15 stellar hotel bars to celeb-spot in the city.

Dukes Bar
Dukes Hotel London
St. James’s Place

St. James’s Place – Photo credit

The pull was once the promise of a perfect martini – former regular Ian Fleming was right to seek 007 inspiration here – but now, designer Mary Fox Linton’s sleek revamp makes Dukes Bar sing.

Mandarin Bar
Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park
66 Knightsbridge

Big drinks, big masculine décor and a Russian oligarch’s wine cellar to boot. Free crisps refills? Nice touch.

Lobby Bar
One Aldwych Hotel London
One Aldwych

The airport hangar-high confines may help explain the staff unis but, that aside, Lobby Bar soars. The space is opulent and cocktails (the menu has over forty) contain all the requisite ingredients du jour.

Blue Bar
The Berkeley
Wilton Place, Knightsbridge

Madonna famously adores the Blue Bar, a fact the Berkeley website is all too happy to play up. Why not? If the tony Knightsbridge spot is good enough for Madge …

The May Fair Bar
The May Fair Hotel London
Stratton Street

The Times declared the May Fair the top celebrity hotel in London back in January 2010. While a challenge to corroborate that without actual headcount figures from the paps, the bar scene is certifiable.

Met Bar
Metropolitan Hotel London
19 Old Park Lane

The too-cool-for-school Met Bar is for members and hotel guests only. Champagne-heavy and open kitchen (posh canapés) until 3 a.m.

Connaught Bar and Coburg Bar
The Connaught
Carlos Place, Mayfair

Both Connaught bars drip with over-the-top service perks, from bar snacks on silver platters to artfully-made drinks. Erik Lorincz, Senior Mixologist at the Connaught Bar, won World Class Bartender of the Year 2010.

American Bar
The Stafford Hotel London
16-18 St. James’s Place

More likely a place for Michael Caine than Cheryl Cole, the American Bar, like The Ipress File star, is an icon.

Egerton Bar
Egerton House Hotel London
17-19 Egerton Terrace, Knightsbridge

The Gilbert Scott by Marcus Wareing
St. Pancras Renaissance London Hotel
Euston Road

St. Pancras Renaissance – Photo credit

A conspicuous Gothic-revival landmark, the St. Pancras Renaissance was smart to welcome Marcus Wareing’s Berkeley Michelin magic into the fold. The stylish bar at the Gilbert Scott is sure to draw a few famous faces in no time.

Mirror Bar
The Landmark Hotel London
222 Marylebone Road

Quiet, understated and with a Cognac list to swoon over.

Light Bar
St Martins Lane, A Morgans Original
45 Saint Martins Lane

Singular hip quotient from the hotel brand that traps it in a bottle every time.

Polo Bar
Westbury Hotel Mayfair
Bond Street, Mayfair

The possible celeb encounter factor is high when your hotel sits close to Regent, Oxford and New Bond Street shops. Who knows who may duck in for a Bellini?

The Goring Bar & Lounge
Goring Hotel London
Beeston Place

A recent redesign made what was a top London hotel bar even more seductive. The Goring is a classic.

The Donovan Bar
Rocco Forte Brown’s Hotel
Albemarle Street, Mayfair

Brown’s Hotel London – Photo credit

The Donovan Bar is attentively stocked and oozes trendy, from the Terence Donovan photog tributes to the fine décor flourishes.

London City Guide

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