The Donovan Bar at Brown's Hotel

Named for the photographer Terence Donovan and hung with his black-and-white prints, The Donovan Bar sits inside Brown's Hotel at 33 Albemarle Street, one of Mayfair's grandest addresses. Since opening in 2018 it has become one of London's most decorated hotel bars, landing at No.92 on The World's 50 Best Bars list in 2023. The programme is led by Salvatore Calabrese, 'The Maestro' of the classic cocktail, alongside Director of Mixology Federico Pavan.

What makes it a genuine destination for non-drinkers is how the alcohol-free drinks are written into the menu itself. On the fairy-tale-themed 'Happily Ever After' list, every section presents five cocktails - four with alcohol and one without - so the zero-proof option is never an afterthought. Brown's has been explicit that the alcohol-free builds are designed to carry the same character and flavour profile as their spirited siblings, with equal respect given to the drinks and no placeholders on the menu; only the base changes.

Those non-alcoholic serves lean on contemporary distilled bases: Federico Pavan's Donovan Bar work has featured Seedlip Garden lifted with London Essence ginger beer for a dry, gingery finish, the kind of composed build you would expect from a bar at this level rather than a sugary mocktail. Expect the same crystal, garnish work and theatre poured for the alcoholic drinks.

The room is intimate and clubby - dark walls, low light, a small stage that hosts live jazz on weekends - and it keeps proper cocktail-bar hours, open from noon until midnight or 1am. It is a strong choice for a sober guest who wants an occasion-level Mayfair cocktail experience without compromise.