Where Art Meets Alchemy: Scarfes Bar Unveils Surreal New Cocktail Menu Inspired by Gerald Scarfe’s Imagination

Nestled in the heart of Holborn, a stone’s throw from Covent Garden, Scarfes Bar at Rosewood London continues to enchant guests with its rich blend of art, music, and inventive mixology. In April, the award-winning venue—currently ranked No.37 in the world by The World’s 50 Best Bars—launched its most ambitious cocktail menu to date: "Long Drawn Out Sip." Inspired by the dreamlike and often irreverent work of British caricaturist Gerald Scarfe, the new menu transforms cocktails into immersive storytelling experiences.

Each of the 24 creations—including two non-alcoholic serves—draws from Scarfe’s memoir Long Drawn Out Trip, traversing the surreal terrain of his subconscious. Divided into four themes—Fears, Desires, Revelations, and Transformations—the menu is a tribute to imagination, eccentricity, and the fine art of drinking with intention.

Scarfes Bar is no stranger to theatricality, and this menu is no exception. "Toothless Grin," for example, transforms the universal fear of losing teeth into a hauntingly beautiful Sazerac variation served on a hand-carved charcuterie board, paired with an edible spoonful of goat’s cheese, lemon curd, and absinthe. "The Court Jester," a cheeky Paloma twist, nods to Scarfe’s own self-portrait and is served atop one of his signature playing cards.

The drinks are not merely beverages—they are multisensory performances. Garnishes are not just visual, but integral to the flavor story; glassware is bespoke; and many ingredients are clarified, fermented, or distilled in-house at Scarfes’ own cocktail laboratory. It’s a heady marriage of creativity and craftsmanship.

While dazzling in concept, the bar’s approach is also quietly revolutionary in terms of sustainability. Several cocktails incorporate repurposed materials, such as broken hotel charcuterie boards reimagined as serving trays. Ingredients like discarded banana and damaged produce are cleverly infused, reduced, or clarified to minimize waste without compromising flavor.

The bar’s low-waste ethos extends to its lab practices as well. Director of Bars Andy Loudon, who joined Rosewood London in 2024, is leading a new era of experimentation rooted in precision and sustainability. Many of the bar’s syrups, tinctures, and distillates are produced in-house, allowing for tighter control over ingredient sourcing and carbon impact. Even the water used in the ice program is filtered and reused where possible.

This balance between showmanship and responsibility is what makes Scarfes Bar a standout—not just in London, but globally.

What truly sets Scarfes apart is its atmosphere. Imagine sinking into a velvet armchair, surrounded by original Gerald Scarfe caricatures, while live jazz floats through the air. It’s more drawing room than bar, a curated space where London’s elegance and bohemian spirit mingle effortlessly.

From the moment you step inside, the experience feels carefully orchestrated yet comfortingly familiar. The staff, equally passionate about spirits and storytelling, are always ready to guide you through the menu’s narrative labyrinth. Whether you’re chasing a psychedelic burst of pineapple and popcorn in “Prophecies” or winding down with the complex herbal notes of “Curtain Call,” there’s a drink for every moment of your evening—and every layer of your psyche.

In an age where cocktails often chase trends or Instagram likes, Scarfes Bar invites us to slow down, sip deeply, and get lost in a world of satire, dreams, and masterful mixology. With “Long Drawn Out Sip,” the bar not only pays homage to one of Britain’s greatest living artists—it proves that cocktails can be canvases, and that hospitality, when done right, is an art form of its own.