The Sanderson hotel is currently closed but due to reopen in 2022
The Sanderson’s Purple Bar is the sort of dark, designer-goth Twilight world that might be inhabited by Robert Pattinson and co. Although it was previously accessible only to resident hotel guests, Joe Public can now access its portals to sample upmarket cocktails for around £20 a pop. A menu will be produced on request, but the head barman prefers to offer a bespoke service: after an extensive at-table consultation, you might be offered couture hits such as a vodka and rhubarb sour or an aged version of a classic Boulevardier (bourbon, Campari and vermouth) – though a sherry-based alternative to Martinez has been less successful. Back on menu, it’s worth trying Franklin Roosevelt (a mildly dirty martini), but a B&B King (vintage 1940 Martell brandy and similarly aged Bénédictine, costing £490) is perhaps best left to stars of Mr Pattinson’s aura.