Calabrese joins Donovan Bar in London

Salvatore Calabrese has developed a new cocktail menu for Donovan Bar at luxury London hotel Brown’s, which has recently reopened after an extensive refurbishment.

Donovan Bar is based inside luxury hotel Brown’s, based in Mayfair

Following his residency at the venue in December, famed bartender Calabrese has returned to Donovan Bar indefinitely, where he will to serve vintage cocktails, some of which are made with rare spirits from his own personal collection.

Calabrese’s menu, which officially launches tomorrow (20 April), is inspired by 1960s photographer Sir Terence Donovan, a close friend of the Forte family, owners of Brown’s Hotel.

The list of 16 cocktails is divided into four sections: “bright and refreshing” High Exposure, “dark and mellow” Low Exposure, “strong and bold” High Contrast, and “soft and delicate” Low Contrast.

Calabrese said: “After the success of the Martini & Negroni menu we launched at Brown’s during the Italian takeover at the end of last year, I am delighted to be rejoining the Donovan Bar to offer Mayfair’s most discerning guests a unique menu of cocktails inspired by Sir Terence Donovan’s work and in homage to the artistry behind his iconic shots which line its walls.”

Donovan’s Bar has been redesigned by interior designer Inge Moore and features the largest private collection of Sir Terence Donovan’s in existence.

As part of the redesign, interiors have been refitted and the main bar has been expanded, framing an original 19^th century stained glass window of St George.

Calabrese left London’s Playboy Club, where he ran Salvatore’s Bar, in 2016 to open a new venue in Hong Kong. Salvatore at Maison Eight was the bartender’s first venture in Asia.