As soon as I knew we’d be in London for the holidays, my first thought wasn’t about Big Ben or the Queen (okay, King now)—it was, “We have to go to Dukes Bar.” If you don’t know, Dukes Bar is a proper London institution. Think history, charm, and martinis so good they’ll make you forget your own name. LOL, I almost did 😉 Oh, and it was famously frequented by none other than Ian Fleming, the man who gave us James Bond. Yes, that Ian Fleming. It’s basically where 007’s martini obsession was born.

My thoughtful sons and their girlfriends gifted us martinis at Dukes Bar—what a perfect idea! Dukes doesn’t take reservations, so timing is key. The bar opens at 3 p.m., but by the time we arrived 20 minutes early, a small group of people were already ahead of us. Clearly, we weren’t the only ones with this plan!

Dukes Bar is an experience—and it comes with a price to match: £27.50 per cocktail. Gulp! (Pun absolutely intended.)

I love the little trolley they wheel up to you and perform their martini magic. Naturally, I went for the Vesper—perfectly chilled vodka, gin, Sacred Vermouth, a dash of Angostura bitters, and fresh orange zest. The bartender free-poured every drop with such precision that the glass was nearly overflowing. It was part art, part science, and all show.

Dukes Bar isn’t just a place to grab a drink; it’s an experience that’s worth every penny (and every minute in line). If you’re in London and love a great cocktail, make time for Dukes. Trust me, you’ll leave shaken, stirred, and completely satisfied.

Have you visited Dukes Bar? Share your favourite martini moments in the comments below!

Cheers!