There’s an unmistakable air of sophistication and elegance at The K Bar, reminiscent of exclusive gentlemen’s clubs of old, except everyone’s welcome.

The bar is located within five-star London hotel The Kensington, which consists of five Grade II-listed townhouses. The K Bar is as luxuriously appointed as the rest of the hotel, with slate floor and oak panels, green marble tabletops and polished brass throughout. The bar stools are upholstered in velvet, with leather wingback chairs and comfortable sofas too. 

The bar’s mirrored walls were the inspiration for the cocktail menu concept here, entitled Reflections. This is presented on an acrylic sheet, written backwards, which can be read using a lacquered box containing a light and a mirror. The sixteen cocktails on the list each tell a story, and are presented with a touch of theatre. Techniques such as fat washing and clarification are in use, with syrups, shrubs and more all created in-house. Non-alcoholic drinks aren’t an afterthought either, with the three listed on the menu making use of those same homemade ingredients.

It’s all about the details here, whether that’s the weekly-changing complimentary welcome drink, flowers on every table, or the same bergamot candle used in all of the hotels in the group. Hotel guests staying for a few days are given, on their final day, a copy of the bar’s previous cocktail menu, signed by the team.

Staff wellbeing is a serious priority too, from the ergonomic design of the bar to ensure physical wellbeing, to the provision of spacious staff facilities that include showers. Team building activities take place twice a year, as well as two annual staff parties involving staff members from all of the hotels in The Doyle Collection. Staff are encouraged to participate in cocktail competitions, and are all involved in the creation of cocktails for the menu too. A monthly incentive programme gives team members the opportunity to earn bottles, distillery trips and more. Employee benefits include life insurance and discounted hotel rates, and for unforeseen circumstances when staff can’t get home, there are complimentary overnight stays too.

Beyond regular training every two weeks, young managers are supported in the development of their careers through a nine-month ‘Proud to Lead’ programme, focusing on leadership skills and confidence. ‘Coaching with Purpose’, meanwhile, is aimed at senior managers, covering management skills, HR, and diversity and inclusion.

Sustainability is core to the operation here, starting with sourcing of wines, beers and spirits from the UK where possible, and prioritising partnerships with carbon-neutral companies. To reduce waste, egg whites have been replaced with Miraculous Foamer, and lemon and lime juice are sourced from a zero-waste company, while there are no plastic products used in the bar. 

Ensuring a positive impact beyond the bar, the team participate in charitable events such as the London Hospitality Festival, and raise money for Hospitality Action too.