The Guards Bar & Lounge at Raffles London
Whitehall, London
Bar in London, United Kingdom
Book with PearlWhy go
A polished Whitehall hotel lounge that makes sense when drinks and bar food need to carry the same sitting. Choose it for a composed central London setting and credible cocktail-bar recognition; skip it if you want a loud, low-commitment crawl stop or a full restaurant meal.
About The Guards Bar & Lounge at Raffles London
The Guards Bar & Lounge at Raffles London is a London bar and lounge where the basics are direct: it opens daily from 12 PM to 12 AM, has a smart-casual dress code, holds a Pinnacle Guide 1 Pin for 2026. Beyond those points, specific claims about the menu, drinks, prices, service style, or setting should be confirmed directly with the venue.
Use it as a London lounge option when the priority is clear planning information. If you are comparing it with other London venues, start with Our full London bars guide or Our full London restaurants guide. Other options to consider by name include Crystal Moon Lounge, Kioku Sake Bar, Salvatore at Playboy, Spy Bar, Velvet, The Guards Bar & Lounge at Raffles London.
A London lounge with daily hours
The most useful confirmed detail for planning is the schedule: The Guards Bar & Lounge at Raffles London is listed as open from 12 PM to 12 AM every day of the week. That makes it easier to consider for a daytime, evening, or later visit, while still checking directly with the venue before making plans.
The venue also lists a smart-casual dress code. For London planning, pair it with Our full London hotels guide. For a broader outing, compare it with other London dining and drinking options rather than relying on assumptions about cuisine, price, or menu format.
Who should book it, who should choose elsewhere
Book The Guards Bar & Lounge at Raffles London if you want a London bar-and-lounge option with daily noon-to-midnight hours, smart-casual expectations, a confirmed Pinnacle Guide 1 Pin for 2026. Choose elsewhere if you need details that are not available here, such as a specific menu, price range, seating format, dietary policy, or takeaway and delivery information.
Part of
Raffles30 locations on PearlLocated inside
HotelThe Waldorf Hilton, LondonFull hotel guidePlanning details
- Location
- 57 Whitehall, London SW1A 2BX, United Kingdom
- Reservations
- Book on SevenRooms
- Website
- raffles.com/london/dining/the-guards-bar-and-lounge
- Phone
- +44 20 3907 7500
The take
The Take
The Vibe
The Guards Bar & Lounge occupies a charged, historic address inside the Old War Office, and the architecture is the dominant voice. Edwardian baroque detailing, Portland stone façades and retained grand corridors give the space a palpable sense of institutional weight. Against that backdrop the bar’s cocktail program positions itself as contemporary and precise: it measures itself against Raffles’ storied beverage lineage while delivering technically minded drinks. The overall effect is a polished, ceremonious hotel bar where history and present-day craft sit side by side, creating an atmospherically rich setting rather than a trendy, ephemeral spot.
Best For
This is a venue for evening rituals and considered drinking: suited to after-work drinks, celebratory gatherings and date nights that benefit from a restrained, formal setting. Guests come for the sense of occasion the building provides as much as for the cocktails; the bar reads as part of Raffles’ wider hospitality program rather than a separate late-night dive. It works well for smaller group outings and special-occasion moments where architecture and provenance add to the experience, and where service and presentation are part of the appeal.
Ordering Tips
Ordering centers on the cocktail program, which deliberately references Raffles’ historical lineage while pursuing technical innovation. The write-up explicitly links the venue to the Singapore Sling’s legacy, so expect bartending that balances homage with contemporary technique. Prioritize featured cocktails and signature serves to gauge how the bar interprets that lineage; staff are likely to frame drinks in the context of the house’s provenance rather than casual, low-effort options.
Venue details
Ambiance
Plush interiors with rich fabrics, striking chandeliers, and historic panelled windows creating an oasis of refined British elegance; intimate lounge-style seating with low slipper chairs and love seats alongside a separate bar area.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Format
View
Accessibility
At the Bar
- Bar Category
- Cocktail Bar
- Late Night
- Closes by Midnight
- Music
- Hotel Muzak and Ambient Background Music
Signature Pours
- Singapore Sling
- London Sling
- Manhattan
- Mojito
Planning details
Location
57 Whitehall, London SW1A 2BX, United Kingdom · Directions
Recognition and awards
Also consider
Also Consider
- Spy Bar, Notable alternative
- Kioku Sake Bar, Notable alternative
- Velvet, Notable alternative
- Crystal Moon Lounge, Notable alternative
- Salvatore at Playboy, Notable alternative
Bar context
How it compares with London hotel and cocktail peers
Spy Bar is the sharper choice for a more clandestine cocktail mood, while The Guards Bar & Lounge at Raffles London is better for a calmer Whitehall lounge setting where food can be part of the plan. If booking friction matters, The Guards is the easier call; if atmosphere needs more edge, Spy Bar has the stronger pull.
Kioku Sake Bar suits guests who want a sake-led angle and a more specific drinks identity. Velvet is a better fit for a livelier hotel-bar night. Choose The Guards when the brief is quieter, more formal, more practical for conversation with food on the table.
Crystal Moon Lounge works better for a grand lounge stop, while Salvatore at Playboy is the stronger cross-shop for a classic cocktail name with a more destination-bar feel. The Guards is the sensible middle ground: easier to book, central, better suited to guests who want a polished drink-and-food sitting rather than a scene-led night.
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full The Guards Bar & Lounge at Raffles London guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare The Guards Bar & Lounge at Raffles London
| Venue | Location | Awards |
|---|---|---|
| The Guards Bar & Lounge at Raffles London | London | 2026 Pinnacle GuideCLASS Bar Awards 2026 Winners - Bar Manager of the Year |
| Spy Bar | London | Top 50 Cocktail Bars UK 2026 · #43Top 500 Bars 2026 · #482026 Pinnacle Guide |
| Kioku Sake Bar | London | No published awards |
| Velvet | London | Top 500 Bars 2027 · #369Top 500 Bars 2026 · #1442026 Pinnacle Guide |
| Crystal Moon Lounge | London | No published awards |
| Salvatore at Playboy | London | No published awards |
How The Guards Bar & Lounge at Raffles London compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the best time to go to The Guards Bar & Lounge at Raffles London?
The Guards Bar & Lounge at Raffles London is open every day from 12 PM to 12 AM. Choose the time that fits your plans, confirm directly with the venue if timing is important.
What is The Guards Bar & Lounge at Raffles London known for?
The Guards Bar & Lounge at Raffles London is a London bar and lounge with a smart-casual dress code and a confirmed Pinnacle Guide 1 Pin for 2026.
Where is The Guards Bar & Lounge at Raffles London located?
The Guards Bar & Lounge at Raffles London is located in London.
