The Guards Bar Review | Raffles London at The OWO

The Guards Bar, located on the ground floor of Raffles London at The OWO, offers an experience that is worth working into an evening spent in the West End. The hotel occupies the Old War Office on Whitehall and is located directly opposite Horse Guards Parade, which has undoubtedly influenced the name and design of the bar.

Atmosphere is in abundance at The Guards Bar and this is true regardless of how occupied the space is with guests. What is truly unique here is how the design of the bar flows seamlessly across two spaces and also extends beyond into The Drawing Room, which comes into its own in the early part of the day when afternoon tea is served.

Some hotel bars are primarily focused on serving drinks that set them apart. However, the classics here are what should be appreciated most, particularly the slings, which Raffles is best known for bringing to the world.

Who this is for

Image: The Guards Bar at the OWO. © 2026 Palates & Miles

This Edit is for those who wish to experience a London hotel bar that brings history, atmosphere and service together as one. Location and accessibility here are what make it a strong option for pre-theatre or dinner drinks. It is also a location that can be experienced over an entire evening, with a well-appointed sharing and snacks menu available for slower dining.

Whilst Raffles London has numerous dining options, The Guards Bar caters to both guests and visitors alike, including those who simply wish to stop by and experience the space for themselves.

The standard

Every recommendation in this Edit is assessed against the same five points: service, design, food and drink, atmosphere and value. Value is not about cheap or expensive. It is whether the experience earns the time and price invested.

The Setting and Experience

Image: The Guards Bar at The OWO. © 2026 Palates & Miles

Arriving at Raffles London is an experience where most would be immediately taken by the scale and grandeur of the space. With numerous entrances to the hotel, including one directly opposite Horse Guards Parade on Whitehall, you immediately understand the history of the building and the role it played in British and indeed world history. The Old War Office, after all, carries the weight of a building where major decisions of the 20th century were shaped.

The Guards Bar can be accessed via the Whitehall entrance or via its own dedicated entrance on Horse Guards Avenue, further adding to its accessibility within the city. Set across two intimate spaces, both overlooking Whitehall and Horse Guards Parade, its namesake is immediately understandable. Seats near the windows look directly over one of London’s most recognisable entrances, further bringing drama and occasion to the space.

When you enter, you are greeted by a host who will show you to a table and ensure you are settled in. The space uses a mixture of reds, golds and oak panelling to create an atmospheric and cosy setting that nods to both the grandeur of the wider building and the regal dress of The King’s Life Guard stationed across the way.

The menu and service

Image: Drinks and snacks at The Guards Bar. © 2026 Palates & Miles

The drinks menu at The Guards Bar is extensive, as should be expected of a bar located in Raffles London. The menu is carefully crafted, with the Signature Slings located at the front, followed by the signature cocktail selection, which is based around a British and global take on different ingredients. Vintage cocktails, unique experiences and wines follow.

For those who may not know, it was at Raffles Singapore that the Singapore Sling was first concocted in 1915 and this is the first offering in the Sling selection. Also available is a special creation for Raffles London, the London Sling, which showcases cherry and berries as the main flavour profiles. The signature cocktail collection offers something more varied and in line with Raffles’ global reach.

P&M tip: If you cannot choose from the selection or wish to experience a variety, a Liquid Tasting Menu of eight mini drinks pulled from each section is available. A similar Sling Tasting experience is also available, which is paired with canapés.

Image: The London Sling at The Guards Bar, Raffles London. © 2026, Palates & Miles

For those who wish to dine during the visit, there is a sharing and snack menu. This is, however, best viewed as an accompaniment for the drinks and not a meal in itself. A range of caviar, charcuterie and cheese is available from the sharing menu, whilst the snack menu contains more traditional bar items such as oysters, beef sliders and lobster rolls, which are served as trios. Lighter bar snacks, including olives and nuts, are normally served alongside drinks, so that should be considered when ordering.

Service at The Guards Bar is friendly, professional and attentive. The team are particularly keen to assist with selecting a drink to suit your taste and, on this visit, were more than happy to provide recommendations and context to the menu offering. Whilst no food was ordered, the drinks were delivered promptly and with appropriate presentation, as one expects from a bar at Raffles.

Value

Whilst The Guards Bar is primarily a hotel bar, it offers much more than just a place for hotel guests to reset. It is intentionally designed to be part of the wider London bar scene. Prices are varied here, with Slings and signature cocktails priced in line with most other hotel bar cocktail lists. The vintage cocktails and unique experiences do increase in price, however this is expected in line with ingredients and vintages.

The food menu is accessible to most and can easily be used as a means for snacking whilst enjoying an evening at your own pace. For those who wish for a more formal or occasion-led experience, such as through the caviar service, there are a variety of options at different price points.

No matter what your intention is behind the visit to The Guards Bar, you can craft and create your own experience at the price you wish it to be. Checking menus ahead of your visit online can give you a good indication of what to expect, however, as ever, use this simply as a guide and not as a definitive list, as final selections are subject to change.

P&M note

The Guards Bar is a formal setting and either formal eveningwear or post-work dress is appropriate here. You do not need to go overboard, but something that fits in with the grandeur of the space will make you feel more at home. A smarter casual look can work here too, however be careful not to dress down too far, as this is a premium property located on Whitehall after all.

Final thoughts

The Guards Bar is not trying to be low-key or simply a bar in a top hotel. Instead, it nods to the heritage of Raffles Hotels, The OWO and London itself. Its strength is the atmosphere it creates from first arrival to your final moments.

It carefully combines design, atmosphere, quality produce and service to create something that everyone can enjoy. Simply stopping by as part of a wider evening plan is something this bar feels intended for, as much as it is a place for hotel guests to enjoy.

One thing is for certain, we look forward to seeing how The Guards Bar continues to innovate in future, in line with what Raffles is best known for.

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