Artesian Bar at The Langham Brings in Two Heavyweights to Revive Its Fortunes

Artesian at The Langham has announced a new, all-star team, intended to revive the exclusive bar’s status as one of London’s finest.

Remy Savage, previously at speakeasy-style Little Red Door in Paris’ 3rd arrondissement, and Anna Sebastian, long-serving manager of the Beaufort Bar at the Savoy, will begin their new roles on 1 November. Sebastian will take over as bar manager, while Savage will assume the role of head bartender.

Artesian gained a stellar reputation for cocktails under Alex Kratena, who won awards galore for his imaginative style. At the height of his powers, Artesian was named World’s Best Bar for 2015, but the win saw Kratena leave after eight years behind The Langham’s storied bar-top. His departure took his entire team — and, seemingly, Artesian’s buzz and glamour — with him; Dandelyan, the Connaught Bar and the Savoy’s American Bar (the world’s best this year, according to the same index that gilded Artesian) swiftly moving into the limelight.

Savage worked at Little Red Door for four years, with the bar appearing on 2017’s #50BestBars list at #11. He says: “London has always been somewhere I’ve admired for its amazing cocktail scene, and I’m so excited to be returning to the city — in one of its most beautiful bars. I can’t wait to start working with the team, and one of London’s best bar managers!”

Last year’s Imbibe Bar Personality of the Year, Sebastian says: “I’ve always admired Artesian and what it stands for as a bar. This is an exciting new chapter for me, and I’m looking forward to bringing my experience to a place that celebrates innovation and originality.” She joined the Savoy in the American Bar when it reopened in 2010 following a grand revamp and now she’ll collaborate with Savage on a new cocktail menu, to be revealed in full next spring. After a period of relative darkness, Artesian is taking bold steps to take back its place at the top tier of London’s bar scene.