Spectrum Bar’s New Martinis

Have pity on hotel bars in a recession, for they shall surely suffer. But not Spectrum, it seems.

Located in the foyer of the Park Plaza County Hall hotel (now there’s a mouthful) next to Waterloo station, the place is pretty much full by 7pm. This is a good sign, surely?

And Spectrum has re-launched its martini list! Always a joyous occasion. It now runs to about four pages of deliciousness in all tastes and styles.

Fancy something fruity? Go for the yummy pineapple and raspberryness of a French martini. Something sweet and creamy? How about white chocolate and chilli? Something classic? They have a whole page devoted to classic martinis, and you’ll be pleased to hear that their olives are great. Something a little more experimental and oddball? ‘Cool as a Cucumber’ might be the way to go, or perhaps an English martini: an interesting combo of rosemary, gin and elderflower.

So they’ve got the drinks down to a fine art, but what about the bar food?

The tapas nibbly bits are very nice though nothing extraordinarily special, but the mini tapas desserts, comprising all sorts of fruit and chocolate mousses, are wonderful. Plus you don’t feel like you’re eating anything unhealthy at all, because after all, a little bit won’t hurt…

The bar itself is distinctly…average. Not at all bad, but there’s a very specific generic ‘bar’ décor, found particularly in big hotel bars, and Spectrum has it. You wouldn’t go there expecting something out of this world – it’s just a bar. Nice and chilled. As for the service, it’s also fine. Friendly but understated. Nobody is rude. A waiter did drop some food in a martini, but who hasn’t done that at some point?

So overall, I’d say this is a place to go for martini-lovers who’d like a quiet bar for some after-work drinks, where you’ll be able to sit and chat and have a nice time happily slurping down cocktails. But definitely bring your own fun.

Spectrum Bar and Café
Park Plaza County Hall
1 Addington Street
Waterloo
SE1 7RY

Tel: 020 7021 1800