Cocktail Bar and Live Music Venue to Open at The Waldorf Hilton
The Parrot, an intimate cocktail bar and live music venue within the Waldorf Hilton, London, opened to the public in November. Opened in collaboration with actor, DJ and producer Idris Elba and identical twin brothers Lee and Nicky Caulfield, visitors to the 60-seater bar can expect a whole host of A-List surprises, from a hidden cocktail menu to regular, unannounced secret shows and an exclusive guest list. The venue also boasts access to the London bar scene’s first chauffeur-driven, branded car.
The space is a creative collaboration between the iconic hotel and the co-founders, who were inspired by the history of the building and, particularly, the exoticism of its historic Palm Court. Built in 1908, The Waldorf has been at the heart of London’s bustling Theatreland for over a century, and the Yamaha London Stage will once again bring the sounds of the West End to The Waldorf. The professional house band will perform with talent direct from some of London’s best-loved stage shows, bringing a unique energy to the venue every evening. The Parrot will also utilise the co-founders’ numerous connections to play host to an array of completely unannounced secret shows, from the stars of stage and screen to the next big thing, and regular DJ sets from Idris himself.
The Waldorf Hilton General Manager, Guy Hilton says: “The Parrot was a natural move for us, building on the history of The Waldorf as an entertainment hub nestled between five major West-End theatres. In 1908, the hotel was the vision of theatrical impresario, Edward Sanders and has since seen the entertainment offering grow through the ages, from teaching London to Tango in the 1920s to introducing a house orchestra and hosting glittering champagne receptions. Opening its doors to legends such as Sir Laurence Olivier and Dame Julie Andrews, we wanted to grow the star quality even more through the launch of The Parrot.
“Working closely with entertainment experts Lee and Nicky Caulfield, we have embarked on a partnership to draw on the exotic inspiration of the tropically-designed Palm Court which is where we have traditionally hosted entertainment-filled events. The range of music, theatre and comedy acts The Parrot will promise is an exciting move for us which naturally pays homage to the glittering heritage of the hotel.”
The Parrot’s cocktail menu will offer an eclectic choice of bespoke mixed drinks, created exclusively by The Parrot’s Head Bartender Daniele Panzanaro. Each glass has been inspired by a different member of the Parrot family, utilising premium spirits to offer unique twists on classic tropical cocktails to wow with every sip. From the short, sharp Parakeet – made with Maker’s Mark bourbon, Wray & Nephew rum, banana essence and white Peruvian pepper – to the long and tropical Crimson Rosella – a creative mix of Seven Hills, Pimento Dram spice liqueur, Cranberry juice, vanilla syrup & lemon juice – visitors to The Parrot will find something for everyone on the creative menu.
To accompany the cocktails, Executive Chef Karl Richardson has created a concise menu of vibrant and delicious small plates served on repurposed seashells. Dishes such as Wagyu beef with pickled enoki, wasabi & pineapple and poached lobster with mango, chilli coconut & lime will join Roquito peppers stuffed with cheese, served with edamame beans, macadamia nuts & yuzu and Quinoa with avocado, sesame, pomegranate & mango will bring light, exotic flavours to this tropical hideaway.
To finish, guests at The Parrot will also be able to order up a helping of Cheers Luxury Alcoholic Ice Cream in four indulgent flavours: Toffee & Vodka (5.8% ABV); Mojito (8.4% ABV); Strawberry Daiquiri (7.9% ABV); and Chocolate Espresso Martini (6.9% ABV).
The bar’s exotic namesake is alluded to in the interiors, from walls lined with bespoke, hand-painted palm wallpaper to lush foliage and an abundance of greenery planted throughout the space. The plush velvet seating in rich turquoise and midnight blue alongside on-trend metallic and rattan detailing draw on the opulence of the historic hotel. The bar front itself is decorated in luxurious teal fish scale tiles beneath exposed Edison filament bulbs, conjuring the moody, atmospheric feel of the speakeasy.
In an exclusive partnership with Aston Martin, The Parrot will also be the first bar in London to offer its own chauffeur-driven car. The car will be branded with The Parrot logo, allowing VIP guests to arrive and leave in unrivalled luxury and will be fully stocked with The Parrot menus for pre-ordering food and drinks to be ready on arrival.