Peter Morrell and his politician daughter enjoy some politically inspired cocktails in the Blue Boar, a bar which is a stone’s throw from the Houses of Parliament
The Blue Boar Bar is well-known amongst politicians as a place to go for a confidential chat in comfortable surroundings. The bar has cool décor, comfortable sofas and some very amusing caricatures of past political greats adorning the walls. There is a cosy private drinking room to broker matters of state and the bar has its own division bell which alerts MPs to an impending vote in the House.
The Blue Boar has recently launched a range of politically inspired cocktails so my daughter and I went along to the ‘hustings’ to find out what was on the ‘manifesto’. There were a number of highly amusing cocktail names featuring the very latest line up of personalities on the political scene. How about choosing between a Boris on the Rocks or a Jeremy’s Punch, looks like the Rocks beat the Punch now that Boris is in No. 10. Interested in the final outcome of the EU referendum? Then the Spiced Figrage, No Big Deal or Euro Fizz could be to your taste.
The mixologists have worked hard to bring you a taste of authenticity to the name of the cocktails. For example, Donald’s Iced Tea is a Stateside combination of Bourbon, Cocchi Americano, Popcorn Syrup, Lime, Pineapple and Angostura Bitters, perhaps the final ingredient being the most apt. The Maygarita was made with Tequila, Sugar, Cranberry and Fresh Raspberries, the final ingredient may appeal to some voters.
If you get hungry while you are drinking then both bar snacks and a full restaurant will ease your pangs. There are nibbles like Hummus and mini British Bangers or more substantial sandwiches, salads and burgers. The Reuben Sandwich, Pastrami Corn Beef with Gruyère Cheese was particularly notable.
While we were there renown political cartoonist David Lewis drew our caricatures which were remarkably accurate. (See slide show above)
The Blue Boar Bar is part of the stylish Conrad London St James one of the best-located hotels in London. Apart from its proximity to the Houses of Parliament, it’s a stroll from Westminster Abbey, the historic buildings of Whitehall and Buckingham Palace. St James’s Park is just a few steps away and Executive Chef Michael Riordan at the Conrad has curated a sumptuous picnic hamper to enjoy while appreciating the beauty of the park and the warm weather. (Read more about the picnic hamper here…)
The hotel’s namesake, Conrad Hilton purchased his first hotel in 1919 and the hotel is celebrating this 100th anniversary by introducing vintage dishes on the Blue Boar restaurant menu. You can dine on soused herrings and steamed beef suet pudding as part of the salute to the master of hospitality.
Alternatively, you can indulge in the ultimate ‘Back in Time Experience’ with a trip to Oxfordshire in a vintage Rolls Royce, a trip on a heritage boat on the Thames for lunch and then stop at the historic Cliveden for afternoon tea.
But back to the present, if you want to feel what it’s really like to be in ‘The Thick Of It’ then go along to the Blue Boar Bar, sit back with a politically inspired cocktail and watch out for huddled groups speaking quietly. You may be witnessing a conspiracy that will be next week’s headlines in the newspapers.
For more information on The Blue Boar Bar go to http://www.blueboarlondon.com/
For more on the Conrad London St James visit http://www.conradhotels.com/london
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