Punch Room at The London Edition

Nestled at the back of the hotel is the reservations only bar, Punch Room, a fumed-oak paneled den inspired by the comfort of manor house libraries and nineteenth-century London's private clubs, yet a modern reincarnation.

Despite having an old-school oak-panelled style and more than a touch of the Don Drapers about it, this bar to the rear of the London Edition hotel is a contemporary, high-fashion hangout where platinum-blonde bar staff look like supermodels and guests smoulder in the corner by candlelight. As the name suggests, the craft cocktail focus is the Punch Bowl. Guests can order one of ten carefully crafted specialty punches including the gin infused EDITION Punch with jasmine tea and oak moss. Carefully curated music from vintage soul, Ragtime, and Doo-wop to Ska and Blues as well as impromptu musical performances complete the experience.

A reservations-only policy makes the place feel all the more exclusive (especially if your table happens to be the one by the roaring fire). Retro soul tracks match the drinks serve, with a complimentary sherry glass of the punch of the day served to guests on arrival, like a swinging ’70s house party. Trying the more curious – and heady – cocktails (all priced at £14) is far from intimidating, since bar staff keenly and knowledgeably steer you. Some sensible classics stay put on the list, but adventurous seasonal drinks are worth perusing too, like the 57 Shades of Grey with vodka, whiskey, Campari and prosecco all in the mix. That’s how to pack a punch.