Unfortunately, drinks at the bar at Stoke did not live up to the fan fare for me that it opened with. Our service was terribly slow and everyone else around us commented as well. The bar was bright and loud - not a great atmosphere for a Saturday night. My cocktail (the Ode to Hemingway) was acrid both from the citrus juice and the alcohol used. My friend asked for a regular old fashioned and was instead served the house take on one which had tastes she didn't care for. I really thought Stoke was meant to be more than a hotel bar, but it just isn't. There was nothing about the drinks or service that make me want to return.