Global - Technology - Review

Guoman Hotels' flagship five star hotel, The Royal Horseguards, has opened the doors to The Equus Bar, London's newest destination bar created specifically with the modern gent in mind.

The transformed stylish bar and lounge area of the AA London Hotel of the Year has a strong gentlemen's club feel, styled with crushed velvet reds, chain mail gold and period oil paintings to signify the hotel's historic past. Fabrics in leather, chenille and rich weaves give it a luxurious touch whilst illuminated carved glass panels display cognacs and fine malts.

The bar menu - created in consultation with award-winning mixologist Andy Pearson - offers an extended selection of cocktails, sipping spirits and temperance tipples all hand-selected for their individual character and flavour profile. Quintessential British classics dominate the menu with traditional punches and signature masculine cocktails denoting the hotel's unique place in history including The Churchill, The Gladstone and The Cavalry Cocktail.

Having consulted on the menu and positioning at many of London's most sought-after watering holes, Pearson brings his exceptional creative flair to The Equus Bar with a beautifully crafted menu which truly tells the story of the building's rich past. Pearson was not short of inspirational nuggets - known as London's 'spy hotel', The Royal Horseguards served as a base for the Secret Service during WWI and hosted high profile guests including George Bernard Shaw, Lord Kitchener, Winston Churchill and William Gladstone.

The Churchill, a cocktail named after the hotel's famous regular, delivers a combination of bourbon, aromatic bitters and a tipple of homemade tobacco syrup – a nod to the great man's penchant for fine cigars. The George Bernard Shaw, a delicious mix of gin, Campari and Cheering Liqueur, is served 'On The Rocks' as per the title of his 1933 political comedy.

The masculine Calvary cocktail - created exclusively for The Royal Horseguards by Pearson – is a drink to truly feel good about. The rich mix of ruby port, Cognac, Grand Marnier and red Burgundy highlights the hotel's links with the Household Cavalry.

The cocktail bar in London menu also includes an extensive selection of non-alcoholic drinks including a secret recipe for home-made Equus cola, traditional fresh lemonade, deliciously spiced home-made ginger beer, lychee lemonade and Green Tea Cooler.