London is known for its beautiful streets, thriving cultural scene, and restaurants offering delicious food. It is also home to some of the best cocktail bars, offering anything from afternoon tea to craft beers and live music.
To help you find the ideal place to explore London's drinking scene, we have put together a list of the best bars in London and what makes them unique.
Whether you're looking for a rooftop bar with the iconic London skyline or a wine bar offering drinks from all around the world, we got you covered.
Picking The 7 Best Bars in London
If you're wondering how to choose the best bars in the city, you're not alone. With so many options to choose from, it can be challenging to make a pick.
There are cocktail bars across and above London, not to mention seasonal pop-up locales and many a terrace and garden.
That's why, when it came to making this list, we have tried to include a little bit of everything (but focus on the best bars in London for each type). So, without further ado, here are our favourite stylish bars and why.
1. Berkeley Bar & Terrace
Berkeley is one of central London's favourite bars. Tucked away in a French cellar, this locale offers single-malt secrets and classic cocktails, as well as many limited edition drinks and short runs.
Every item on their cocktail menu has been carefully picked for its character, and the walls are covered with unique art and dark wood.
Which makes this the perfect choice if you're looking for an elegant and exclusive cocktail bar serving an eclectic mix of great drinks in the heart of the city.
Website: the-berkeley.co.uk
Address: The Berkeley, Wilton Pl, London SW1X 7RL.
Opening hours: Sun: 11 am - 12 am. Mon to Sat: 11 am - 1 am.
2. Cahoots London
Cahoots is a 1940s-themed bar in London's popular Soho district. The speakeasy-style bar is actually set inside an abandoned train station!
There are three unique spaces to explore: The underground, the ticket hall, and the signal station.
The drinks menu is also inspired by the 40s, with "black market" cocktails accompanied by snacks and small plates. Cahoots is a genuinely fantastic place to get a drink.
Website: cahoots-london.com
Address: 13 Kingly Ct, Carnaby, London W1B 5PW.
Opening hours: Sun: 1 pm - 12 am. Mon: 4 pm - 2 am. Tue and Wed: 3 pm - 2 am. Thu and Fri: 2 pm - 3 am. Sat: 1 pm - 3 am.
3. Covent Garden Social Club
This club in the heart of theaterland is the ultimate party destination and the ideal location to enjoy a happy hour champagne cocktail.
The bar serves classic drunks such as gin cocktails, a killer pornstar martini, and bar snacks just a step away from London's West End.
The club is also ideal for music lovers looking to dance the night away in Central London. But that's not all! Covent Garden Social Club even offers cocktail masterclasses!
Website: coventgardensocialclub.co.uk
Address: 6-7 Great Newport St, London WC2H 7JA.
Opening hours: Sun to Fri: 4 pm - Midnight. Sat: 2 pm - Midnight. Happy hour every day until 8 pm.
4. Oriole Bar
Oriole is a sumptuous oasis of magic in the middle of London. This fantastic locale's cocktails are made using tastes, ingredients, and colours discovered all around the globe.
Oriole has taken the best of Europe and Africa and created drinks that speak of a 'voyage of discovery'. There is also a wonderful food menu with bar snacks and bites, small plates, main dishes, and desserts.
Website: oriolebar.com
Address: E Poultry Ave, London EC1A 9PT.
Opening hours: Sun and Mon: CLOSED. Tue to Sat: 6 pm till late. Food served 6 pm - 11 pm.
5. Punch Room
Punch Room is a cocktail bar in the neighbourhood of Fitzrovia and a reincarnation of the 19th-century private clubs that were all around London then.
The bar is designed to offer an intimate space where you can enjoy over thirty punches while listening to a curated list of doo-wop, blues, soul, and ragtime.
There are also occasional impromptu performances, which sound great thanks to the oak panels that cover this cocktail bar's walls.
Website: editionhotels.com
Address: 10 Berners St, London W1T 3NP.
Opening hours: Sun: 5 pm - 11 pm. Wed to Sat: 5 pm - 12 am.
6. Homeboy Bar Islington
Homeboy's signature is Irish flavours and home comforts. The bar offers delicious cocktails and a complete drinks list with playful home-cooked food. The music? Hop-hop and RnB with a focus on Irish producers.
And, of course, lots of beers, Guinness, and raw Irish whisky combined with modern techniques to pay homage to the classics.
Website: homeboybar.com
Address: 108 Essex Rd, London N1 8LX.
Opening hours: Sun: 2 pm - 11 pm. Mon to Thu: 3 pm - 11 pm. Fri and Sat: 3 pm - 1 am.
7. Nine Lives
Nine Lives is a little neighbourhood gem on Bermondsey Street, nested in a Victorian basement. This bar offers a range of fantastic cocktails accompanied by a great soundtrack built by Wave Research and played on full-range, quadrophonic speakers.
The team at Nine Live sources and creates all items on the menu. There is also a great range of seasonal, sustainable food served up from their taco truck. You can enjoy them al-fresco or with a spritz!
Website: ninelivesbar.com
Address: 8 Holyrood St, London SE1 2EL.
Opening hours: Sun and Mon: CLOSED. Tue and Wed: 5 pm - 11 pm. Thu and Fri: 5 pm - 12 am. Sat: 3 pm - 12 am.
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