Located within the heart of the iconic Sea Containers London, Lyaness showcases the innovation of acclaimed bartender Ryan Chetiyawardana and his Lyan company. This bar takes a unique approach by focusing on ingredients rather than cocktail styles, allowing the talented team to explore an array of unusual flavours and approach them more like chefs than bartenders. The menu is dynamic, evolving with seasonal ingredients and collaborative experiments that blend these worlds of drinks and gastronomy.

Each drink on the menu at Lyaness is based on one of the bar’s homemade core ingredients, such as vinegars crafted through cryogenic techniques or unique fermentations. These ingredients are so crucial, that there are two full time team members working on prep at all times. There are many techniques that Lyaness has pioneered over the years, such as experimentation with electrolysis or high pressure distillation, or updated versions of traditional techniques such as parallel and cascade fermentation or acid hydrolysis. Some of these techniques have gone on to be showcased in the world’s best restaurants and this culinary approach allows the team to challenge traditional cocktail formats. For those seeking non-alcoholic options, Lyaness offers five of its fifteen cocktails in alcohol-free versions, ensuring inclusivity without compromising on creativity. 

The team see hospitality as an act of love – and from the first moment you step into the bar – they take the time to find a genuine, unscripted connection with their guests. Understanding how involved people want to be with the menu and the story-telling ensures a pitch perfect interaction, with the aim to provide a neighbourhood-style of service in a hotel bar setting. The floor and bar teams are entirely aligned – to ensure a 360 guest experience when discussing drinks and flavours with any member of staff. 

The design of Lyaness, crafted by Jacu Strauss, contributes significantly to its status as a must-visit destination. The space is bright and airy, featuring a signature duck egg blue colour palette that sets a luxurious yet comfortable tone. The original green marble from the former Dandelyan bar (the previous incarnation from the Lyan company that occupied the space) adds a touch of elegance, while multi-level gold shelving displays an impressive selection of spirits. A large hexagonal mirror reflects the space beautifully, making it feel even more expansive.

Lyaness also benefits from a stunning view, maximised by the  floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Thames and St. Paul’s Cathedral. This backdrop only gets better as the sun sets and the city lights come to the fore. At that point, the ambiance shifts seamlessly from day to night, with table lamps doubling as reading lights during the evening hours, creating a cosy and inviting environment.

Music at Lyaness breaks away from the typical hotel bar vibe with a playlist that includes a mix of disco, funk, synth-pop, and rock, while weekend DJs contribute eclectic sounds that resonate throughout the space. The Sunday 90s Hip-Hop sessions create a lively atmosphere, making the bar a destination for both cocktail enthusiasts and music lovers alike.

Behind the scenes, the extensive training provided has been built and shaped over many years and is a reason many hospitality professionals aspire to join this coveted team. Personal goals and team aspirations are given equal space from management and regular check-ins ensure progression is always front and centre. Their bartenders are often afforded the opportunity for global travel to share the Lyan love, showcasing what they do and why they do it to a global audience – which cements the ethos of the venue whilst offering amazing personal opportunity. The team is very close knit, staff retention is extremely high and they champion promotion from within – with success stories including a bar back moving to AGM in the span of just five years. 

There is a deep commitment to their diversity, equity and inclusion policies as a company and long tenures and career progressions for underrepresented groups specifically is a goal within their management framework. These are values that extend beyond the bar however, and they are committed to using their very visible and well-regarded platforms to push a more diverse audience to the hospitality industry as a whole and promote better representation across the board.