The Guards Bar & Lounge

The Guards Bar & Lounge occupies a rounded corner pavilion on the ground floor of Raffles London at The OWO, the restored Old War Office on Whitehall, and keeps its own street entrance facing Horse Guards. Oak panelling, historic panelled windows, chandeliers and low table lanterns set the tone, while the warm red furniture nods to the colours of the Household Cavalry who stand guard close by.

It is the hotel's principal bar, open daily from noon until midnight, with a list that pairs British ingredients with flavours from further afield. The London Sling arrives over cherry ice, and a Louis XIII Mathusalem decanter and a tableside Balvenie whisky programme sit alongside the cocktails, wines and spirits. A terrace was added for the summer of 2025.

For private events the lounge suits a pre-dinner reception or a cocktail party, and its separate entrance lets a party arrive without passing through the rest of the hotel. Hire is arranged through the Raffles events team rather than offered as a published package.