New Restaurant: Good Godfrey’s Launches at the Waldorf Hilton, London

The Waldorf Hilton, situated in London’s theatre land on Aldwych, is pleased to announce the opening of Good Godfrey’s Bar & Lounge.  The new venue takes its name from Howard Godfrey, the celebrity bandleader of the Waldorfians, the Waldorf house band in the 1920s. At the time, he was a household name and made hundreds of radio appearances with hit records such as “In Heaven” and “My Canary has Circles Under his Eyes.”  The Waldorf was the spot where all of London first learned to tango at the famous Tango Teas, and the band staged the highly acclaimed “Best Show in Town.” 

The newly designed interior of Good Godfrey’s evokes the opulent atmosphere and theatrical heritage of the hotel, at the time a favourite stomping ground of “Gaiety Girls” and “Stage Door Johnnies.”  A striking new bar features illuminated marble, chrome and granite elements with up lighting; decorative wallpaper has been added to the ceiling recesses; and large antiqued mirrors hang from the original listed wood paneling. The colour scheme, in a palette of warm grey, gold and burgundy, adds a sense of warmth and lushness to the new space.

As well as a range of spirits, wines, and beers, Nelson Bernardes, award-winning head mixologist at Good Godfrey’s, has created a drinks list which spans classic cocktails with innovative twists on traditional favourites. These include the Hot Gin Punch for two, which is served in a large teapot, and also the Astor Hip Flask, presented in a real hip flask.

With many of the cocktails paying a nostalgic nod to the hotel’s celebrated theatrical history, highlights include:

Champagne cocktails – £14 each

Very Very Pretty – Grand Marnier with grapefruit juice, honey syrup and champagne. The name is a reference to the only stipulation of the notorious “Gaiety Girls,” performers at the neighbouring Gaiety Theatre, who didn’t require any special singing or dancing skills.

Luxury cocktails – from £17 each

Waldorf-tini – Martini made with either Tanqueray No. 10 and grapefruit bitters or Grey Goose Vodka with ginger bitters and Noilly Prat; stirred in a golden shaker and garnished with edible gold.

1908 – Based on the classic Bronx cocktail created in New York at the turn of the century, this is a blend of Oxley gin, sweet and dry Vermouth, Mandarine Napoleon and orange bitters.

Signature cocktails – from £12 each

Refined Madam – Inspired by the soubriquet of “Madam Geneva” for the badly made gin available during the gin craze of Georgian London, this scented drink combines Tanqueray No. 10 with rose liqueur, fresh lime juice, Waldorf-made cardamom syrup and lavender bitters to create a more “refined” Madam. It is presented at the table with edible rose petals and a finishing spritz of gin and rosewater.

Astor Hip Flask – Named after William Waldorf Astor, investor in the Waldorf in London, this bourbon-based cocktail is mixed with secret ingredients and aged in an oak barrel for at least a month.  It is presented in a hip flask, rather like the one owned by William.

Thé Dansant – Inspired by the Waldorf’s legendary tea dances, this combines gin with St Germain Elderflower Liqueur, rose water, forest tea, lemon juice and vanilla syrup.

Sharing drinks – from £46

Hot Gin Punch – Gin, lemon juice, Don Jose Oloroso sherry, brown sugar and hot water, served in a large tea pot.

Good Godfrey’s is open all day serving morning drinks, light bites, afternoon tea and a range of sharing dishes

Monday – Saturday
8am – 2am

Sunday
9am – 12 midnight

Good Godfrey’s at The Waldorf Hilton, Aldwych, London WC2B 4DD
Tel 020 7836 2400
www.waldorfhilton.com