Hilton’s Waldorf Astoria London to house The Admiral’s Mess

Inception Group will open The Admiral’s Mess at Hilton’s forthcoming Waldorf Astoria London – Admiralty Arch, bringing a new bar concept to the hotel overlooking The Mall and Buckingham Palace. Hilton announced the project in a newsroom release but did not specify an opening date.

The venue will occupy 2,400 square feet and have a 60-seat capacity. It will operate outside Inception Group’s existing brands, which include Mr Fogg’s and Cahoots, with a concept drawing on Admiralty Arch’s history.

The bar will join planned restaurants from Clare Smyth MBE and Daniel Boulud inside the Grade I listed building. Reuben Brothers is restoring the monument in partnership with Hilton as it is converted into a luxury hotel.

A separate concept for Inception Group

For Inception Group, the project adds a venue to its London hospitality portfolio without extending an established bar brand into the hotel. The operator’s other concepts include Barts and Control Room B, alongside Mr Fogg’s and Cahoots, according to the announcement.

Inception Group co-founder Charlie Gilkes said the company had developed the concept specifically to suit the historic setting. He welcomed the opportunity to open within Admiralty Arch, linking the venue’s identity to the building rather than to the group’s existing brands.

Hilton said the experience would take its inspiration from the property’s heritage. The release did not provide details of the bar’s menu or explain how the historical theme would be reflected in its design.

Hotel assembles its food and beverage offer

Guillaume Marly, general manager of Waldorf Astoria London – Admiralty Arch, said The Admiral’s Mess would join Whiskey & Seaweed and the hotel’s signature cocktail bar. He pointed to Inception Group’s experience in developing hospitality concepts as the reason for the partnership.

Marly said the addition would give guests another experience to explore within the property. For hotel and restaurant operators, the announcement sets out a food and beverage line-up combining an external bar operator’s new concept with restaurants led by Smyth and Boulud.

The hotel is planned to contain 114 rooms, suites and residences, as well as bars, restaurants and event spaces. It occupies Admiralty Arch at the end of The Mall, opposite Buckingham Palace.

The Admiral’s Mess and the chef-led restaurants remain planned openings within the restoration project. Hilton’s announcement did not set out a launch timetable for the bar or the wider hotel.