Smith & Whistle Bar & Terrace

You'll find yourself on the fifth floor of the Sheraton, but Smith & Whistle doesn't feel like a hotel bar in the slightest. The terrace is the real draw here—it's genuinely one of the better spots in Mayfair if you want to actually sit outside with a drink, watching Piccadilly's chaos unfold below. Inside, it's all dark wood and considered lighting, the sort of space that encourages you to linger over something properly made rather than gulp and go. The cocktail list reads like someone actually knows what they're doing, and the team behind the bar has that rare combination of skill and approachability. Worth the trek into W1, especially if you're already in the area.