The Berkeley hotel’s rooftop bar in London has debuted a Mexican-inspired menu of Patrón tequila cocktails and tacos for the summer season. Jenny Southan reports
Part of the Maybourne Group, the Berkeley is sister to Claridge’s and the Connaught, and together they are three of London’s most prestigious hotels. New to the group is the Emory, which opened recently.
Having been open much longer (over 100 years in various guises), historic hotels such as the Berkeley have to work hard to stay relevant.
In so doing, this summer the Berkeley Rooftop Bar will be open for the season from the evening of July 11, and will be serving a new Mexican-inspired menu of Patrón tequila cocktails and tacos.
Highlights will include the Patrón Tequila Colada, a take on the classic cocktail, replacing rum with Patrón Reposado, paired with mango lassi, coconut cream and water, vanilla, and lime.
The Ultimate Knutarita blends Patrón Silver tequila with shiso umeshu, pine, Cointreau, lime, and spice for an aromatic twist on a margarita.
For those who prefer an alcohol-free option, the Forest Gimlet, featuring Everleaf Forest aperitif, pink grapefruit soda and honey, is a refreshing alternative. 
Dishes will encompass a trio of tacos; smoked salt marsh lamb shoulder with pickled jalapeno and saffron aioli in a blue corn taco; barbecue jack fruit with sweet Romano peppers, coconut, and coriander cream in a white corn taco; and crispy Dover sole with charred sweetcorn, mojo emulsion in an avocado taco. 
On “Taco Tuesdays” there will be a fourth “secret” off-menu option, which is available for one night only and changes each week.
Guests will also be able to make their own guacamole, starting with a base of fresh smashed avocado, and adding toppings including spring onion, chilli, garlic, tomato, coriander, toasted seeds, and lime, to dip crunchy house-made tortillas. 
As a sweet treat in the sun, the Berkeley rooftop soft serve machine will dispense a selection of changing ice cream flavours throughout the season, complete with perfectly piped sunglass biscuits on the side.
To reach the bar, guests will be whisked up to the rooftop by lift. Visitors can book a table or nab a striped lounger to enjoy the rooftop, which is normally reserved exclusively for overnight guests of the Berkeley.
The Berkeley Rooftop Bar will be open Tuesdays to Saturdays, from 7.30pm to 11pm, with last sitting at 9.30pm.
Guests can also visit the Chef’s Counter of world-renowned pastry chef Cédric Grolet – his first home outside Paris – selling his signature patisseries, which frequently go viral on Reels and TikTok.