London’s nightlife is among the most eclectic in the world, with plenty of stunning, fun and exciting places to visit. Hidden between the cities busy clubs and bustling bars are relaxed, indulgent cocktail bars, perfect for an afternoon tipple or a late-night nightcap. From the heart of the city to the outer boroughs, the best cocktail bars in London are serving up creative libations in enchanting atmospheres.
Visit a hidden speakeasy with internationally inspired cocktails, or drink coffee by day and cocktails by night at a spacious cafe and bar. Head to Knightsbridge for an old-school luxury cocktail bar, or visit Holyrood Street to discover a Victorian basement serving up cocktails and tacos. Award-winning mixologists serve creative drinks in an Insta-worthy lounge, while live DJs curate a buzzing soundtrack in a jungle-inspired setting. A historic London gang inspires the drinks and the vibes at a hideaway in Westminster, while punch takes centre stage in Fitzrovia. A taste of 1920s Shanghai waits behind a jade door in Chinatown, while a distillery in the centre of town serves up some of the best gin in the city.
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The best cocktail bars in London everyone should know about – read on
For a trip around the world in a hidden speakeasy – visit Blind Spot London in Covent Garden
An unassuming boutique tea counter and an outstretched golden hand hide Blind Spot London, a glamorous speakeasy at St Martin’s Lane. Get away from the bustle of London’s busy streets and settle into plush chairs in a mood-lit bar that hums with activity. Blind Spot’s menu draws inspiration from places around the world, from Kyoto to Mexico City. Each cocktail takes you to a new city. Travel to Santorini with a fresh gin, orange and Greek yoghurt cocktail, or swing by Copenhagen with flavours of amaretto, cherry and citrus. Alternatively, stick to the classics with a smooth espresso martini or a fresh margarita. Round out your night with some international bar snacks: delicate Swedish salmon gravalax or crispy Italian bruschetta.
For one of the best cocktail bars in London for cool vibes and music – check out Cafe 1001 in Spitalfields
By day, Cafe 1001 is a spacious, industrial cafe with potted plants lining the floors and records hanging on the walls. It serves up smooth coffee and a refreshing menu of Afghan-UK flavours. By night, it transforms into a hi-fi audio bar and cocktail lounge where guest DJs take charge of the hand-built vintage booth, setting the soundtrack for a night of unique cocktails and wood-fired pizzas. Try the signature lavender pisco sour or the strawberry-yuzu bramble with gin, sake and strawberry puree. The wood-fired pizzas include the x-rated with spicy nduja sausage and black olives, and the vegasm with plant-based chicken, red peppers and vegan smoked mozzarella. You can also get starters or light snacks like aromatic garlic bread and smooth homemade dips. Finally, don’t forget to try the creamy affogato or one of the refreshing plant-based sorbetto flavours.
For old-school, luxury vibes – visit The Library Bar at The Lanesborough in Knightsbridge
The Library Bar at The Lanesborough is one of the most striking cocktail bars in London. Its ornate decor, candle-lit chandeliers and lined bookshelves create a historic, luxurious atmosphere, perfect for sipping cognacs and cocktails. Bow-tie-wearing bartenders serve your drinks, and if you book live nights on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, your cocktails will be partnered with live singers accompanied by the bar’s resident pianist. The Library Bar offers a well-rounded food menu of snacks, light options and larger dishes, so you can visit for a nibble or a full meal. The Library Bar lunch hour provides lunchtime favourites like crispy battered cod and chips alongside a refreshing Lanesborough gin and tonic. On martini Sundays, the bar turns its attention to smooth gin cocktails made with Edinburgh Gin, while a cocktail cream tea is served throughout the week with fluffy scones, tea and lilibet cocktails. Champagne cocktails made with Moet & Chandon are perfect for special occasions. Try the Wimbledon flora with notes of elderflower and strawberry or the Provencal bellini with peach, ginger and lavender aromatics.
For one of the best cocktail bars in London for date night – head to Nine Lives Bar in London Bridge
Head down to a Victorian basement on Holyrood Street and discover Nine Lives Bar, a buzzing neighbourhood bar where nothing goes to waste. Try refreshing cocktails like the strawberry and Campari strawberry feels or the lemon song made with elderflower syrup, Cremant and housemade limoncello. For a bite to eat, head to the taco truck for seasonal tacos, or order some lime-cured ceviche tapas. The restaurant repurposes food and cocktail scraps into candles and soaps used in the bathroom, giving each carefully sourced ingredient multiple lives. Leafy plants and casual furnishings add to the Tropicalifornication vibe that keeps diners returning again and again.
For one of London’s most unique cocktail bars – book at The Parlour at Zetter Clerkenwell in Clerkenwell
An eccentric cocktail lounge with a seasonal, sustainable ethos, The Parlour at Zetter Clerkenwell is one of London’s most unique cocktail bars. Group bar manager Anas El Bahhaj helms a team of award-winning mixologists who craft and curate a selection of unforgettable cocktails. Just look for the floral arch over a light-blue door and step into a cosy, soft-pink parlour where you can settle in with a good drink. Inspired by travel, get an earthy taste of Rome with the truffle oil, mushroom and whisky tartufo or savour the bright lights of Paris with the vodka, champagne and elderflower twinkle. Light bites like spiced nuts and crispy croquettes make great pairing options, and the charcuterie platters are perfect for sharing. Finish off with a digestif and some gin-poached strawberries with thick clotted cream.
For one of the best cocktail bars in London for an immersive experience – check out The Owl & Monkey in South Kensington
Jungle prints, colourful lion figurines and plush, patterned seating create a fun, vivid atmosphere at The Owl & Monkey in South Kensington. With happy hour on Monday and Tuesday, complimentary small plates on Wednesdays and live DJs amping up the vibe on Fridays, there’s always lots to enjoy. Be sure to try signature cocktails like the New Orleans with peach, Hennesy, whisky and vermouth or the whiskey, chocolate and berry flavoured Night Owl. The Owl & Monkey also has some creative alcohol-free cocktails like the plum, rhubarb and grapefruit flavoured French kiss 0%. Sharing plates and platters include pulled BBQ short-rib beef sliders and creamy halloumi bites. For a sweet dessert, try a rich chocolate brownie or one of the refreshing Xin and Voltaire cocktail sorbets.
For cocktails that tell a story – book at The 40 Elephants in Westminster
Named for an all-female organised crime group that operated in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, The 40 Elephants exudes rebellious glamour. Shoplifting, blackmail and quick-thinking to evade the police allowed them to indulge in the decadence and luxury of the roaring 20s. Today, diners can enjoy the same luxuries, cocktails and fun − all while staying on the right side of the law. Each cocktail is inspired by the tales of the 40 Elephants and the 1920s. Enjoy the plum, red wine and Champagne flavours of the Bobbed-hair Bandit or be bewitched by the Daring Diva with grapefruit and mezcal. Slip under the prohibition radar with mocktails like the Undercover with notes of raspberry and vanilla or the Alibi with ginger ale and blackberry. The food menu includes light snacks like crunchy cauliflower croquettes and larger plates of fish and chips or aubergine lasagna.
For one of the best cocktail bars in central London – head to Punch Room London in Fitzrovia
Step back in time to the exclusive world of London’s 19th-century private clubs at Punch Room London in Fitzrovia. Punch is, of course, the speciality here, with 20 signature recipes to try. The menu, subject to change, is often conceptual, with each drink exploring a different theme. Sip on the cloudy flavours of the non-alcoholic Calima Punch with apple, ginger and pear tea flavours. Or, bask in the light of the Afterglow Punch made with Maker’s Mark, fino sherry and pandan leaf tea. Wood-panel walls and velvet couches let you sink into the flavours and the atmosphere in this chic lounge. Backed by blues, soul, doo-wop and the occasional live performance, an evening at Punch Room is always a good idea.
For one of the best cocktail bars in Soho – visit Opium Cocktail Bar & Dim Sum Parlour
Take a trip to Shanghai in the 1920s at Opium Cocktail Bar & Dim Sum Parlour. First, find the hidden jade door in the heart of Soho’s Chinatown, then head up the winding stairs to an enchanting bar bathed in dramatic red light. There are three different sections: the Apothecary Bar, the Peony Bar and the Attic Academy Bar, with the latter offering a slightly different cocktail selection. Try the tequila, whisky and mezcal blend of a Donatello at the eclectic Apothecary Bar or a Mind the gap with gin, orange liqueur and elderflower at the intimate Peony Bar. Upstairs, slip into a nook at the Attic Academy Bar for a serving of Boba Stars with tequila, passionfruit, prosecco and boba pearls. All three areas serve the signature Opium no.10 made with rum, orange liqueur, mint green tea and elderflower syrup.
For one of the best gin bars in London – swing by The City of London Distillery and Bar in Blackfriars
The soft fragrance of gin rises up from the distillery and fills the atmosphere at The City of London Distillery and Bar. Credit: The City of London Distillery and Bar
The aroma of gin fills the air and shining copper stills line the walls at The City of London Distillery and Bar. You can visit for a glass or two or immerse yourself in tastings, tours of the distillery and distilling classes. This is where Whitley Neill Gin is distilled, and the bar staff serves up a range of cocktails based on this award-winning spirit. Try a Jaffa-cake negroni made with Whitley Neill’s blood orange gin or the James Bond-inspired Vesper martini with Vestal vodka. The bar also offers light snacks including juicy grapes and olives and boards of deli meat and cheese.
From hidden speakeasies to vibrant lounges, there are plenty of great spots in London to try creative concoctions. With live DJ sets and singers setting the tone and local ingredients bringing the flavour, these bars offer truly unique experiences. Whether you’re after a special spot to enjoy your favourite cocktails or you’re looking to try something brand new, the best cocktail bars in London have a glass for you.
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