The Blurb
The historic Drawing Room at Brown’s is transformed into an intimate Jazz venue, featuring a revolving schedule of international musicians, signature cocktails and delicious food.
The Food & Drink
‘This is nice’, I thought as I was politely welcomed, my coat whisked away and seated in a ruby-red armchair by a fireplace. It’s not often that I visit Mayfair these days, it doesn’t have the reputation for an inexpensive night out at the best of times, let alone during our cost-of-living crisis. What it does have, is an excellent reputation for service and luxury that is unparalleled across the capital. And that is what you get if you choose to spend your evening at the Drawing room; expertly crafted cocktails, a sublime selection of what Brown’s modestly call ‘snacks’ and a delightful live performance of smooth jazz.
I can’t pretend to know much about Jazz, but my friend who joined me – a professional musician, was on cloud nine – picking out the songs and thanking the band members at the end of the evening so that he could discuss the finer points of live performance acoustics. Indeed, I was informed that the drawing of thick curtains over the entrance before the show began was not just for aesthetics (though it makes for a cosier atmosphere) but aids the sound quality a great deal.
Of course, relaxing in an armchair that probably cost more than the average national wage and listening to music wasn’t the only thing on offer. There was a selection of classic ‘with a twist’ cocktails, we rotated through Old Fashioned’s, Whiskey Sours, Tuxedo’s and my personal favourite, The Brown’s Roman Punch which, because we were in Mayfair, was topped up with Champagne.
We ate Cheese Scones with Chilli Jam, Cured Monkfish, Marinated Iberico Pork and a Tuna Sando. The Sando – or sandwich – was the highlight. A thick, wedge-like slab of tuna, toasted between bread and cheese. I think I could live on those alone for a week, probably longer, thinking about it.
The Style
It’s a hotel – an institution, really – in one of the most up-market postcodes in the World. As such, the decor is timeless and appropriately extravagant without compromising on class. Whilst fellow patrons were well-heeled and well-mannered, crowd wise, it was a melting pot of tourists, ex-pats and locals. Indeed, an American gentleman joined some Mayfair residents for a conversation, during which he told them he’d moved to the UK recently and had only come down to London for the evening as he actually lived ‘really far up North’
The Brit on the table didn’t miss a beat ‘What, Highgate?’
In a Nutshell
Go and treat yourself, or the jazz-loving person in your life to an evening in the Drawing room. It hits all the right notes (pun intended), great music, spectacular cocktails and delicious food. The service was so good, warm and friendly, that I felt I deserved my luxurious evening. I definitely didn’t deserve it and maybe you don’t either, but I have every confidence, they’ll make you feel like you did.
The Details
Check the website for evening schedules, booking recommended.
The Drawing Room, Brown’s Hotel, Albemarle Street, W1S 4BP
