Image credit: PAUL FARMER / Geograph Britain and Ireland / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0 · 2009-06-28 ↗
The American Bar and Blue Ball Yard
St James’s · Piccadilly → St James’s → Covent Garden · Historic bar / cobbled courtyard / WWII history
Story
To find this place, do not simply follow the hotel’s main façade. Instead, venture into Blue Ball Yard, a cobbled courtyard tucked away just behind St James’s Street, and at its far end you will discover The Stafford’s American Bar. Its interior is deliberately crowded with memorabilia, signed photographs, and objects donated by guests, giving it the feel of a club that has evolved over decades, rather than a bar designed in a single moment. The most intriguing history continues below ground. During the Second World War, The Stafford served as a club for American and Canadian officers, and its old wine cellars were repurposed as air-raid shelters. A small collection of wartime artefacts is preserved at the very end of these cellars. The cellars themselves boast nearly four centuries of history, and the hotel even maintains a tradition of secret passages supposedly leading towards St James’s Palace – a story best regarded as repute rather than proven fact. Non-residents are welcome to use the American Bar, as it is a commercial venue where consumption is expected. However, the historic cellars are not part of an ordinary bar visit; they can only be experienced through pre-booked tastings, dinners, or special events.
What to look for
In the yard, note the cobbled pavement and the atmosphere reminiscent of a former mews. Inside the bar, scan the walls and surfaces packed with memorabilia and objects. The cellars are accessible only with a prior booking.
Secret detail
The small collection of Second World War memorabilia is preserved in the cellars, not on display in the American Bar during an ordinary visit.
Where exactly
You are inside Blue Ball Yard. From here, follow the cobbled courtyard to its end: The American Bar is located there.
Orientation
From this point, look roughly south-west and continue to the end of Blue Ball Yard.
Why it matters
This place offers a glimpse into the social life of St James’s, showing how a modern establishment can integrate within a historic urban fabric, and revealing the role such spaces played during wartime.
Access & opening
Official current bar hours: tea/coffee 10:00–12:00; all-day dining 12:00–23:00 daily. Smart-casual dress. Under-17s not permitted after 18:00. Courtyard policy/minimum spend can change.
No admission fee to bar, but it is a commercial venue; cellar events are paid
We never show live status. Check opening hours before you go.
Accessibility
Venue access should be checked live; historic cellars may involve stairs.