Bucks &amp; Oxon


<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/Matt-Jolley-copy.jpeg" alt="Matt Jolley Monty's Bar" class="wp-image-174261" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/Matt-Jolley-copy.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/Matt-Jolley-copy-800x800.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/Matt-Jolley-copy-400x400.jpeg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/Matt-Jolley-copy-500x500.jpeg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Seasoned barfly Matt Jolley was once the brand director at celeb haunt Mahiki in Mayfair. You’ll remember it as the regular haunt of Prince William and Prince Harry in their younger partying days, plus Beyonce, Jay Z – in fact, anyone who was anyone in the late 2000s. Matt then opened other Mahiki venues around the world for nightclub mogul Piers Adam, before sinking his last Cosmopolitan and starting a second act by opening Marlow’s <a href="https://www.montysmarlow.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Monty’s Bar</a>, which arrived on Oxford Road this summer where the lively late-night spot Clayton’s used to be. Muddy pulled up a barstool for a chat.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/MontysBar.jpg" alt="Monty's Bar, Marlow" class="wp-image-174255" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/MontysBar.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/MontysBar-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/MontysBar-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/MontysBar-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Monty&#8217;s Bar, Marlow</figcaption></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-was-your-first-job-in-the-drinks-biz">What was your first job in the drinks biz?</h3>



<p>I was working in PR in the early 2000s, managing the publicity for a new private members club called Aura in St James’s, when one evening the restaurant manager failed to turn up. David Serlui, the owner of Aura, asked me to help out and I absolutely loved it. I must have done a good job as 20 years later we’re now business partners in Monty’s.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-your-career-highlight">What’s your career highlight?</h3>



<p>I’ve loved opening award-winning clubs around the world – like opening Mahiki in Dubai, Sweden and Spain and relaunching Asia de Cuba in Abu Dhabi – and throwing private parties for the likes of Madonna and Rihanna. (I’m sorry I can’t name any more names, they’re all very discreet!). But as much as I enjoyed those wild times, the highlight for me has to be opening Monty’s in Marlow. There is no better feeling than being able to do something you love, and doing for yourself.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sum-up-your-philosophy-for-what-makes-a-great-party">Sum up your philosophy for what makes a great party</h3>



<p>It sounds obvious but it’s people, music and lighting. The whole point of a party is to bring people together, especially those who don’t know one another or who wouldn’t ordinarily mix. Throw on some disco tunes and make sure the lighting is dim so everyone looks fabulous. Get that mix right and, voila, you have a party.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/PartyTime.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-174257" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/PartyTime.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/PartyTime-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/PartyTime-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/PartyTime-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-most-memorable-moment-at-work">Most memorable moment at work?</h3>



<p>One of my proudest moments was when my mum Sue came to visit me after I’d opened Mahiki in Dubai. I managed to persuade her to stay out past dinner one evening and she partied the night away, looking terribly glamourous and surrounded by men on the dancefloor. She loved every minute and was very proud of what the team and I had created.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-it-s-a-lock-in-which-celebs-are-you-propping-up-the-bar-with">It’s a lock-in – which celebs are you propping up the bar with?</h3>



<p>My days of lock-ins are long past. But if I had to, then my fellow guests would have to include Ryan Gosling because I have a huge crush on him, Claudia Winkleman for her incredible wit, and Elton John as he is a legend and an absolute riot – I’ve been around him at the same parties, and the stories I’ve heard him tell are absolutely hysterical. And of course I’d invite Jack Nicholson – he’s the ultimate bon viveur and partygoer.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="829" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/MontysBarjackN.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-174256" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/MontysBarjackN.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/MontysBarjackN-800x663.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/MontysBarjackN-400x332.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-your-celebration-tipple">What’s your celebration tipple?</h3>



<p>I’ve been sober for 14 years, but whenever I’ve raised a glass in the past it had to be Dom Pérignon.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-which-drink-deserves-more-appreciation">Which drink deserves more appreciation?</h3>



<p>A French Martini which is made from vodka, Chambord liqueur and pineapple. It’s such a beautiful and refreshing drink so it slips down far too easily. Despite being absolutely lethal, it’s perfectly suited to sunsets on the Riviera and it brings a welcome hint of summer to long winter nights.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-most-over-rated-drink-and-the-better-alternative">Most over-rated drink – and the better alternative?</h3>



<p>The Pornstar Martini, which is very early 2000s. At Monty’s we have the Mitch Martini which was only created a few years earlier at the Match Bar, but it feels more classic. The Mitch is made with more pear juice rather than passion fruit, so it’s more sophisticated and not as sweet.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-bar-you-ve-ever-visited">Best bar you’ve ever visited?</h3>



<p>The bar at The Connaught hotel in London. The David Collins design is timeless yet modern, and the service is always impeccable.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="745" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/TheConnaughtBar.png" alt="" class="wp-image-174258" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/TheConnaughtBar.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/TheConnaughtBar-800x596.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/TheConnaughtBar-400x298.png 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Bar at The Connaught</figcaption></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-on-your-hospitality-bucket-list">What’s on your hospitality bucket list?</h3>



<p>I love the English countryside (and the weather) and our country hotels, which I think we do so well. A lot of friends have said wonderful things about Estelle Manor in Oxfordshire, so I need to book a week of rest and relaxation there with no phone.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-which-country-do-you-want-to-explore-just-for-the-nightlife">Which country do you want to explore just for the nightlife?</h3>



<p>I love Mexico, I have many friends who live in Mexico City and the vibe there is incredible. They’re always inviting me over there but I haven’t had a chance to visit yet. Uruguay is also somewhere I would love to visit.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-favourite-holiday-destination">Favourite holiday destination?</h3>



<p>Sri Lanka is my favourite place on earth, it’s such a magical country made even more so by the people. I’d love to end up running a little shack of a boutique hotel on a beach there, throwing parties by tiki torch.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-hangover-cure-nbsp">Best hangover cure?&nbsp;</h3>



<p>A long walk with the dogs followed by a Bloody Mary and a Sunday roast. At Monty’s we do a slight twist on the traditional Bloody Mary using pickled cucumber which adds a slight tartness. We’ll also start offering Sunday roasts at the beginning of November, served family-style with roast potatoes and veg on the table. It’s a perfect way to spend the afternoon with great company and the Sunday papers – and no washing up!</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/TERRACE-BARN-2-V2.jpg" alt="Monty's Bar Marlow" class="wp-image-174263" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/TERRACE-BARN-2-V2.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/TERRACE-BARN-2-V2-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/TERRACE-BARN-2-V2-400x267.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p><strong><em>Check out <a href="https://www.montysmarlow.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Monty’s Bar</a> at 16 Oxford Road, Marlow, Bucks, SL7 2NL.</em></strong></p>


Drinks on me! Matt Jolley of Monty’s Bar, Marlow

You may also like