This September, Knightsbridge’s iconic hotel, The Berkeley, is celebrating the V&A South Kensington’s blockbuster exhibition Marie Antoinette Style with a regal collaboration alongside legendary shoe designer Manolo Blahnik. The result is a decadent experience titled Cakes & Cocktails Fit For A Queen, hosted in the rosy-hued intimacy of The Berkeley Bar’s Snug.
Adorned with a mural by New York artist TM Davy, the snug provides the perfect Versailles-inspired backdrop. Here, The Berkeley’s Bar Manager Marcello Cauda has created an inventive collection of cocktails and mocktails that draw on Marie Antoinette’s taste for indulgence and Blahnik’s personal favourites. Highlights include Manolo’s Martini, infused with bergamot, beeswax and orange blossom; La Reine Privée, combining toffee vodka, pisco and croissant air; and the floral La Dauphine’s Garden, also offered as a mocktail. Each drink is paired with a seasonal collection of cakes, extending the ritual of indulgence across both glass and plate.
The collaboration is steeped in history. Manolo Blahnik famously designed the footwear for Sofia Coppola’s Oscar-winning film Marie Antoinette, and the V&A’s new exhibition is sponsored by his house. For those looking to immerse themselves further, The Berkeley is offering a special overnight package with Champagne, patisserie, and exclusive exhibition access.
Cakes & Cocktails Fit For A Queen launches on 19th September 2025 and runs daily in The Snug at The Berkeley Bar. Each sitting is private, accommodating up to six guests, and must be reserved in advance.
