A 5-star gin and tonic
The inside of the Gran Melia Fénix Hotel hides a truly luxurious cocktail lounge. There’s ample space, excellent service and luxurious decoration, all together with a ton of drink possibilities.
We came to have a gin and tonic at Dry Martini Bar, an absolutely distinct environment which we knew we were going to love. If you head down Hermosilla Street, almost to Paseo de la Castellana, you’ll find the Gran Malia Fénix hotel. They’ll let you know where the bar is upon entry. Well, you really can’t consider this a bar; it’s another dimension of the word. The bar holds a cozy 19 people, but we pass through the hall into the galactic Dry Cosmopolitan bar. Here, you sit on armchairs like a noble lord. The waiters will kindly explain all the drink options to you.
What did we order? There’s so much to choose from… the cocktail menu is packed with attractive options (about 14€ a drink). But I came to have a gin & tonic, and that’s what I’m gonna do. Here, you don’t have to worry if the bar staff knows the drink, or how to make it. Everything is a safe bet. They’ll prepare whatever it is you ask for better than you’ve ever had it. Gin choices? They have every type imaginable. What else could you ask for? Well, a better atmosphere, haha… This place is a little bit too focused on the upscale, elder client, which is fine, but at 2 in the morning there should be a better atmosphere as one starts to look for some activity and entertainment.
Javier de las Muelas is in charge of the operation. He’s considered by many as one of the best bartenders in the world (according to many internet articles). Before working here, he worked at the Dry Cosmopolitan Bar in Barcelona (write it down for when you head to Barcelona).
In short, it’s another unavoidable stop on the Gin & Tonic tour. Ah, an interesting fact: when we went to the bar (which deserves a visit), we listened to one of the barmen explain how the cocktail glasses/cups are stored in a -10º C chamber.
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