Artesian
Marylebone, London
Bar in London, United Kingdom
Book with PearlThe Read
Conceptual Hotel Bar
Why go
Artesian is worth prioritising for a polished London cocktail occasion, especially dates, celebrations, or business drinks where awards history and room quality matter. It is a weaker fit for bargain drinking, large casual groups, or food-led plans; book it as the drinks anchor, not the whole night.
About Artesian
Artesian is a London venue with a smart casual dress code and a record of bar-world recognition. The clearest reason to consider it is that recognition: World's 50 Best Bars #1 in 2014, Top 500 Bars Best Bars #151 in 2025, a Pinnacle Guide 1 Pin in 2026.
Artesian is a venue to assess on its London location, smart casual expectations, awards profile. If you need details about menus, prices, service style, or a specific setting, contact the venue directly. If you need a broader shortlist, use our full London bars guide instead.
Book for the recognised bar credentials, not for specific details
The strongest signal is recognition: World's 50 Best Bars #1 in 2014, Top 500 Bars Best Bars #151 in 2025, a Pinnacle Guide 1 Pin in 2026. That makes Artesian a credible option when you want a London bar with established accolades. Details about food, pricing, exact service format, the current menu should be checked directly with the venue before planning around them.
If food is the main event, use our full London restaurants guide and treat Artesian as a bar-led choice. For other London options to compare, you might also look at Match Bar, The BoTree Bar, The Caviar Bar, Esmeralda's Mayfair, or Chisou Sushi and Izakaya depending on the kind of evening you are planning.
Use it for a polished London bar plan, checking details in advance
The right guest is someone who values a smart casual setting and a venue with bar recognition. Artesian is less useful as a one-size-fits-all answer if your decision depends on specific prices, group capacity, food, or a particular menu, as these details should be confirmed directly with the venue.
Plan with the facts in mind and check the venue directly for reservations, opening times, availability, current offerings, any access or dietary questions. If the wider trip needs lodging or other plans in London, pair the bar search with our full London hotels guide, our full London experiences guide,, for drink-led detours, our full London wineries guide.
For a London bar shortlist, Artesian stands out on its recognition. Other London venues may suit different needs, but any comparison should be based on current details from the venues themselves rather than assumptions about format, price, or service.
Part of
The Langham12 locations on PearlLocated inside
HotelThe Langham, LondonFull hotel guidePlanning details
- Location
- 1C Portland Pl, London W1B 1JA
- Website
- artesian-bar.co.uk/?y_source=1_MTAxMjgwNTgtNzE1LWxvY2F0aW9uLndlYnNpdGU%3D
- Phone
- +44 20 7636 1000
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Artesian sits inside the Langham on Portland Place and reads like a restrained statement of classic hotel luxury. The room—lacquered surfaces, high ceilings and a controlled hush—feels formal and historic rather than trendy, and its layout encourages measured conversation over raucousness. That quiet polish is underwritten by a serious pedigree: multiple appearances at the top of international bar lists give the space weight and cachet. The result is a composed, classic hotel-bar ambience where craft and reputation do the talking rather than flash or volume.
Best For
Artesian suits evenings when ambience and provenance matter: date nights, special occasions and celebratory dinners where a refined, hotel-bar atmosphere is part of the experience. It operates as a destination cocktail venue that competes with the city’s standalone bars, so guests seeking attentive service, quiet conversation and an elevated cocktail programme will find it appropriate. It’s less a spot for loud group revelry or casual drop-ins and more for planned nights out where the setting and the drinks are the main event.
Ordering Tips
Approach Artesian as a cocktail destination: the description explicitly frames it as a ‘serious cocktail programme’ with an award-winning pedigree, so opt for crafted cocktails from the signature list rather than quick, casual rounds. The room’s controlled hush and measured service suggest drinks designed for tasting and conversation—choose thoughtfully composed serves that reward attention. Expect precision and restraint in preparation and presentation; allow time to savour each cocktail and the calm, hotel-bar environment that surrounds it.
Venue details
Ambiance
Opulent Chinoiserie and Victoriana decor with pagoda lamps, silver-leaf mirrors, plush leather seating, and a buzzy yet comfortable atmosphere.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Format
At the Bar
- Bar Category
- Hotel Bar
- Late Night
- Open Until 2am
- Music
- Background Music at Right Volume
Signature Pours
- The Cherry on Top
- Old Cuban
- Good and Evil
Planning details
Location
1C Portland Pl, London W1B 1JA · Directions
artesian-bar.co.uk/?y_source=1_MTAxMjgwNTgtNzE1LWxvY2F0aW9uLndlYnNpdGU%3D
Recognition and awards
Also consider
Also Consider
- Match Bar, Notable alternative
- The BoTree Bar, Notable alternative
- The Caviar Bar, Notable alternative
- Chisou Sushi and Izakaya, Notable alternative
- Esmeralda's Mayfair, Cocktails, late-night dining, Cocktails, late-night dining
Bar context
How Artesian compares in London
Choose Artesian when the priority is a recognised cocktail programme and a formal central London setting. Compared with Match Bar and The BoTree Bar, it is the stronger pick for a special occasion where reputation matters, but it is also the harder booking to treat casually.
The Caviar Bar is the better fit if the night is built around luxury snacking and a more food-adjacent spend. Chisou Sushi and Izakaya makes more sense when the group wants Japanese food alongside drinks rather than a cocktail-first bar session.
If the plan is late-night cocktails with dining flexibility, Esmeralda's Mayfair is the practical alternative. Artesian is the sharper choice for a date or client drink; Esmeralda's Mayfair is easier to justify when the evening needs to keep moving after the first round.
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Artesian guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Artesian
| Venue | Location | Cuisine | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Artesian | London | ; | Top 500 Bars 2026 · #1512026 Pinnacle Guide2023 World's 50 Best Bars · #1002020 World's 50 Best Bars · #412019 World's 50 Best Bars · #482015 World's 50 Best Bars · #12014 World's 50 Best Bars · #12013 World's 50 Best Bars · #12012 World's 50 Best Bars · #1 |
| Match Bar | London | No published awards | ; |
| The BoTree Bar | London | No published awards | ; |
| The Caviar Bar | London | No published awards | ; |
| Chisou Sushi and Izakaya | London | No published awards | ; |
| Esmeralda’s Mayfair | London | Cocktails, late-night dining | No published awards |
How Artesian London compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the crowd like at Artesian?
Details about the typical crowd are not available. Artesian is in London, has a smart casual dress code, has recognised bar accolades.
Do I need a reservation at Artesian?
We recommend checking directly with Artesian for reservation requirements and current booking availability, especially if you need a specific date or time.
Is Artesian good for a date?
It can be a strong candidate if you want a London venue with smart casual expectations and bar recognition, including World's 50 Best Bars #1 in 2014 and a Pinnacle Guide 1 Pin in 2026. Check current details with the venue before planning the evening.
Is Artesian good for groups?
Information on group suitability and capacity is not available. Contact Artesian directly for booking size, availability, any group requirements; for comparison, you can also review London options such as Esmeralda's Mayfair or The BoTree Bar.
