13 Best London Bars For Amazing Drinks
London’s bar scene never sits still, and catching the real action means knowing where to look.
These best bars in London prove that the city’s nightlife is always worth raising a glass to.
View this post on Instagram
1. Lyaness
Lyaness is perched on the South Bank, gazing out at the Thames, and comes courtesy of Ryan Chetiyawardana—aka Mr Lyan.
The menu skips the usual cocktail list and zeroes in on ingredients instead. Tell them what you like, and they’ll whip up something just for you. Expect some oddball components and combos that sound out there but somehow just work.
The space pops with electric blue and keeps the original green marble bar from Dandelyan days. They’ll try to fit in walk-ins, but booking ahead is a smart move.
Location: 20 Upper Ground, London SE1 9PD, United Kingdom
Website: Visit Website
2. Cahoots Underground
Built inside a disused underground station near Carnaby, this 1940s-era speakeasy throws itself into the vintage train carriage look without coming off like a novelty act.
Cocktails here are the real deal, not just props for your camera roll. There’s a solid lineup of classics with wartime-era twists, shaken up by bartenders who know their stuff.
The whole place oozes atmosphere, with details that might make you forget you’re still in Soho. On Fridays and Saturdays, live music kicks off from 7pm, adding to the time-warp vibe.
Location: 13 Kingly Ct, Carnaby, London W1B 5PW, United Kingdom
Website: Visit Website
View this post on Instagram
3. Blame Gloria
Blame Gloria has carved out a basement on Bedford Street and filled it with neon, velvet, and a wall of TVs that’s hard to ignore. Hendrix-inspired prints and exposed brick add a bit of rock-and-roll swagger.
The drinks menu is heavy on cocktails and wine, with happy hour deals that’ll save you some cash. Saturday brunch is a cheeky excuse to start early if you’re not into waiting for sundown.
Location: 20 Bedford St, London WC2E 9HP, United Kingdom
Website: Visit Website
4. The Escapologist
Down below Seven Dials, The Escapologist claims to be the old HQ of a secret society that ruled Victorian London. The look is a mash-up of modern Victorian men’s club and Masonic lodge; wood paneling, plush booths, and a little bit of surreal art thrown in.
It’s one of London’s coolest bars, and the cocktail list delivers with classics that come with a twist. The underground vibe is more than just a gimmick, especially when the late-night parties kick off.
Location: 35 Earlham St, Seven Dials, London WC2H 9LD
Website: Visit Website
View this post on Instagram
5. Swift Soho
Swift Soho has become a go-to for anyone chasing a proper cocktail, tucked away on Old Compton Street. There’s an upstairs that’s all walk-ins and mirrored Art Deco, while downstairs gets moodier with leather booths.
The cocktail lineup is tight—bespoke creations, timeless classics, and a signature Irish Coffee that regulars swear by. The whisky list is no slouch either, giving the drinks menu some serious depth.
Location: 12 Old Compton St, London W1D 4TQ, United Kingdom
Website: Visit Website
6. The Little Scarlet Door
The Little Scarlet Door has the feel of a real house party. Roam through what looks like a shared Soho flat, complete with bedrooms, a kitchen, and lounge spaces all set up for cocktails and a bit of dancing.
The drinks are playful, and the food goes way beyond standard bar snacks. Move from room to room, mess around with games, and claim whatever spot suits your mood.
Location: 12-13 Greek St, London W1D 4DL, United Kingdom
Website: Visit Website
View this post on Instagram
7. Happiness Forgets
Down in a tiny Hoxton Square basement, Happiness Forgets proves that small can be mighty. The lighting is low, the vibe is relaxed, and there’s a “no wallies” policy that sets the tone before you even hit the stairs.
Drinks are crafted by pros who know their stuff, but there’s none of that uptight energy you get at some high-end spots. Menus change up often, so you’ll always spot something new alongside the classics, all done right.
Location: 8-9 Hoxton Square, London N1 6NU
Website: Visit Website
8. The Cocktail Trading Co.
Shoreditch’s Cocktail Trading Co. has quietly carved out its place among London’s drinking crowd. The vibe is polished, but never stuffy; you can roll up in trainers and still feel right at home.
What really stands out here is the team behind the bar. The founders still pull shifts, and most of the staff have stuck around far longer than you’d expect in hospitality.
The drinks list walks a fine line between comfort and curiosity. There’s always a reliable old favorite, but you might get sidetracked by something new and playful.
Location: 68 Bethnal Grn Rd, London E1 6GQ
Website: Visit Website
9. The Connaught Bar
Hidden away in the Connaught Hotel in Mayfair, this cocktail bar has a serious reputation—people cross oceans for their martinis. The space leans Cubist, with silver leaf walls and a cool-toned bar that feels like a nod to English and Irish art from the 1920s.
Bartenders here don’t just make drinks; they obsess over every detail. The menu covers both inventive new creations and classics done right. Bar snacks and canapés are on hand if you get a bit hungry.
Location: The Connaught, 16 Carlos Pl, London W1K 2AL
Website: Visit Website
10. Scarfes Bar
Scarfes Bar manages to feel both steeped in history and totally current. Named for the legendary caricaturist Gerald Scarfe (his art lines the walls), this spot inside Rosewood London has landed itself on the world’s best.
The cocktail menu isn’t just a parade of old fashioneds. Their latest, “Long Drawn Out Sip,” riffs on Scarfe’s memoir, blending the playful and the slightly surreal. Every drink comes with a story, and the snacks are worth ordering.
Live music steps things up, with jazz most nights. Musicians set the mood while you work your way through the whisky shelves or try one of their bottled creations.
Location: 252 High Holborn, London WC1V 7EN, United Kingdom
Website: Visit Website
11. Bar Termini
Bar Termini squeezes Italian aperitivo culture into a tiny Soho spot where espresso and cocktails share the spotlight. The exposed brick and cozy booths make it feel more like a Roman side street than central London.
Negronis here are the real deal; balanced, unfussy, and paired with proper charcuterie. It’s a snug place, so you’ll probably be elbow-to-elbow with strangers, but that’s part of the appeal.
The menu doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel; it just does the basics really, really well. Sometimes that’s all you want.
Location: 7 Old Compton St, London W1D 5JE, United Kingdom
Website: Visit Website
12. Nightjar
Underneath the streets of Shoreditch, Nightjar keeps things mysterious and moody, with live music from 9PM every night. The space is dim, the music’s vintage, and the cocktails are anything but predictable.
The drinks menu reads like a collector’s guide to rare spirits, and bartenders here don’t shy away from a bit of showmanship. You’ll want to reserve ahead; it’s rarely empty.
The close-set tables mean you’re part of the energy, not just a bystander. Between the world-class drinks and the live music, it’s hard not to get swept up in the atmosphere.
Location: 129 City Rd, London EC1V 1JB, United Kingdom
Website: Visit Website
13. London Bridge Rooftop Bar
Perched near The Shard, London Bridge Rooftop Bar grabs your attention with city views for days. The outdoor space stays covered, so you’re not at the mercy of London’s unpredictable weather.
There’s a definite après-ski vibe here; heaters crank up the coziness when the temperature dips. DJs keep things upbeat and a bit unpredictable.
Cocktails get a lot of love on the menu, and there’s just enough food to keep you going without feeling like you need to commit to a full meal.
Location: Colechurch House, Bridge Walk, London SE1 2SX, United Kingdom
Website: Visit Website
