THE COCKTAIL GUY SAVOURS…

well-to-do friend. It has a luxurious art deco feel about it, while rose is the prevailing colour in a range of tints and textures from marble to leather, and there’s a stunning contemporary stained-glass mirror centrepiece from London-based artist Annie Morris.

If you’re particularly lucky, as I’m delighted to say we were, you may find yourself welcomed with a nod from Mr Jon Nickoll seated at the piano. Usually to be found at another five-star London establishment, he now also croons his way through classic tunes here, making for the perfect accompaniment to the drinks.

This cocktail guy makes no secret of the fact that he enjoys a little glamour in his life. It’s why I fell in love with cocktails in the first place. And it’s why one of my favourite places has long been the hotel that is elegance epitomised, Claridge’s in Mayfair. Many a happy evening has been whiled away in its eponymous bar or The Fumoir. Now I’ll let you in on a little secret: it has a third space, which has also cast a spell over me. The reason I refer to it as something of a secret is that it is rather hidden and that adds to its appeal. You have to know it’s there, because it’s highly unlikely that you’ll stumble across it. And I happen to like that. So after one or two twists and turns there it is – a discreet entrance subtly signposted by the faint tinkle of glasses and the always welcome sound of a cocktail shaker being vigorously pressed into action. It’s a very small, inviting and particularly intimate room. In fact, it feels as though you’ve stepped into the home bar of a rather

Ah yes, the menu. Inspired by the artists and hues of southern Europe, it focuses on fresh flavours from small-batch producers. And those hues are brought to life in the evocative names of the drinks. I began with Maximum Purple (Boatyard Vodka, Savoia Americano, cassis and Champagne) – rich in flavour, with a solid backbone from the vodka and lifted nicely by the fizz. My date loved her Old Gold (Tapatio Blanco Tequila, Los Siete Misterios Doba-Yej Mezcal, China liqueur, agave, apple and lime), describing it as a drink that revealed more with every sip.

Several delicious drinks and a few small plates later (the ox cheek croquettes with tarragon and cucumber relish were exquisite), we rounded off our evening with me going for the Pecan (Maker’s Mark 46 Bourbon, calvados, Nux liqueur, apple, vanilla and pecan) and my date selecting the Gamboge (Michter’s Bourbon, dry vermouth, Drambuie, saffron and cacao). Both felt indulgent and wholly suited the seductive feeling of the evening.

As I say, I love a little glamour in my life and I’ll be getting my regular top-up at The Painter’s Room in the evenings ahead. claridges.co.uk