An after dinner Drink at The RITZ in the one and only…The RIVOLI Bar!

Back when The Ritz opened in London in the early 1900′s, the architects designed a cocktail bar that ran from inside the Piccadilly entrance along the length of the front of the building to Arlington Street. The original Rivoli Bar was a fashionable haunt and a celebrated meeting place!

But in 1972 it was transformed into a parade of shops. It re-opened in November 2001, The Rivoli was  lavishly recreated by designer Tessa Kennedy in the more decorative and luxurious style of the late 1920’s rather than its early Art Deco original and is, once again, a fashionable and popular meeting place in London for an after dinner drink.

Upon entering the bar from the hotel’s Long Gallery, attention is immediately caught by the five gilded ceiling domes, each with their own delicate Lalique style chandelier. Windows overlooking Piccadilly stretch the length of the room and are dressed in voile, with each curtain pleat embroidered with Art Deco emblems in velvet and silk.

To the left of the entrance is the onyx marble bar which glows from lighting set both above and below. Glasses, bottles of spirits and liqueurs, silver cocktail shakers and Champagne buckets sparkle with brilliant reflections from the rear wall set in glass.

Recently described as ‘an Art deco jewel box’, The Rivoli is paneled in polished camphor wood veneer and decorated with golden keystone nuggets and magnificent Lalique glass panels. Four mirrors painted in gold and silver leaf in the style of the 1920’s Parisian artist Jean Dunard, cleverly reflect the light and are further enhanced by a gold leaf Art Deco ceiling.

The walls at each end of the room are dominated by two large gold, copper and silver bas relief panels which were inspired by the famous Yugoslav sculptor Metrovil. Mohair sofas, high backed Palisander wood chairs and armchairs in ocelot velvet provide seating in the bar, while a polished bamboo floor covered in Art Deco rugs completes the overall design theme.

The Rivoli Bar, open daily offers an extensive choice of fine wines and Champagnes…ah yes, those Champagnes! The Rivoli Bar also offers many of the signature martinis and cocktails for which The Ritz is famous.

When you are in London, The Rivoli Bar is a elegant way to enjoy an after dinner drink with friends or with someone special!

NELSON WADE recommends The Rivoli Bar at the The Ritz!

View their web site at www.theritzlondon.com

Source Information and Photos courtesy of The Ritz, London.