The best bars in London

​​What’s the vibe? One for the crate diggers and soundsystem aficionados, Jumbi is a listening bar with big energy. A rolling lineup of London’s finest selectors will soundtrack the evening with sounds chosen from DJ and local hero Bradley Zero’s iconic wall of records, while its food and drink with flavours from the African-Caribbean diaspora will warm your soul.

When to visit: On a summer’s afternoon. Start on the terrace, then roll right through till close on the D-floor.

What to drink: The rum punch, obviously.

What’s the vibe: A lowkey, great vibes dive-ish bar from the same people behind sandwich slingers Dom’s Subs. Hackney by way of Chicago, come here some perky b-movie energy and your new fave east London mate date spot.  

When to visit: Every Wednesday is ‘parm night’, and the food menu expands from £4 hotdogs to slap-up slabs of breaded chicken parmigiana.

What to drink: House martinis (which come stacked with five olives) are a miraculous £7.

What's the vibe? The Standard's ritzy and joyful cocktail bar, discotheque and late-night lounge. Comes complete with floor-to-ceiling views of King's Cross. 

When to visit: Sweeties is open until 2.30am every Thursday to Saturday, so save this one for when you're hunting down a post-midnight bevvy. 

What to drink: See if you can handle a Hot Lips; made with mezcal, worcestershire sauce, pickled hot peppers, spiced tomato juice and smoked salt.

What's the vibe? A backstreet Shoreditch buzz bar that's as much about natural wine as it isn banging kitchen residences. Recent decents include Ha's Đặc Biệt, a rightly hype-y Vietnamese pop-up direct from New York and Decatur – the much-loved New Orleans-worshipping one man kitchen.

When to visit: When your favourite pop-up or chef is installed in the kitchen. 

What to drink: Natural wine. Staff are more than happy to help with suggestions, never letting you feel foolish for not knowing the difference between a gewurztraminer and a grechetto.

What’s the vibe? Mr Lyan has taken over the drinks menu at posh rotisserie chicken joint Bébé Bob, serving up a menu of ten cocktails designed to pair with a chicken- and caviar-centric selection of bar snacks. You can just hang out at the bar too, rather than heading into the Playboy mansion-style restaurant. 

When to visit: Whenever you want to cosplay as a European aristocrat in the Golden Age, or celebrate the launch of this cocktail king’s long-overdue presence in Soho.

What to drink: A chicken bone negroni or ‘Fries and Champagne’, a blend of Moët and ‘liqueur de pommes frites’.

What’s the vibe: An in-the-know underground drinking spot on the outskirts of Chinatown and just by the Soho sprawl. Industrial chic (concrete walls, old pillars, low-lighting) and a young, gorgeous crowd make it one of London’s hottest spots. 

When to visit: A late licence (it’s open until 2am) mean this is place to hit after every other bar in central London has closed. 

What to drink: There’s a dedicated high ball cocktail menu, but their easy-drinking, tequila-addled ranch water is also great. A small plates snacking menu from Jackson Boxer of Brunswick House is also impossible to ignore (you simply must order the octopus gildas).

What’s the vibe? A weighty, cocooning door on the Kingsland Road (at Dalston’s lower end) hides an exquisitely neat, sleek jazz bar with a vast number of natural wines and a tight menu of traditional-leaning cocktails.

When to visit: During a gig, obvs. While you can certainly visit Mu without a musical focal point, it’s designed with the stage and performer in mind: it’s a jazz bar, go see some jazz.

What to drink: You’re in a Japanese-inspired bar, so a Japanese-inspired cocktail is the done thing. The saketini is light and slick, you’d have no idea it was so boozy.

What's the vibe? Established by Heavenly Records at the end of the '90s and celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2024, this bar has been a nightlife hub ever since opening. Lovely wood-lined booths upstairs make you feel a little fancy even if you're just sinking pints and arguing about indie music. 

When to visit: Time your trip for when the downstairs space is hosting live music or literature events, with folk from Faber Social, Trojan, The Quietus and Rough Trade Books often in charge of proceedings.

What to drink: Become a member – which you can do by simply signing up to their mailing list at the bar – and you'll get two for £15 cocktails – think Negroni’s and Tommy’s Margaritas – before 8pm.

What’s the vibe? It’s always la dolce vita at Bar Termini, with Continental-style service and Italian aperitifs (and espressos). Lively and always busy, but quiet because of its size, the minute setting offers the rare luxury of peace and quiet in central London.

When to visit: Early evenings are perfect for a cocktail before dinner in Soho – indoors or out on the streets.

What to drink: Marsala Martini (gin, sweet marsala, dry vermouth and almond bitters)
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What's the vibe? Blondies is as close are you're going to get to a New York-style dive bar in London. This Hackney favourite is a shrine to all things heavy metal – complete with rather demonic lavs. All hail Blondies. 

When to visit: Time your trip with a gig. Hardcore, punk and thrash bands regularly pitch up by the steamy front window to soundtrack the world's smallest, but most intense, moshpits. 

What to drink: You're unlikely to get a very fancy cocktail here, but you will get something cold. Cans followed by shots and then back to the beginning again is the Blondies way. 

What’s the vibe? A cosy, speakeasy-esque atmosphere tucked away under Soho’s famous delicatessen, with a cocktail menu full of Italian twists.

When to visit: The snack menu would make a handy pre-show supper, but the intimate lighting and gentle hum of jazz mean this is also a nice spot for a digestif.

What to drink: The Bloody Martini (vodka, vermouth, crystal clear coffee-filtered tomato water) is set to become their signature, but for something sweeter, the Figlet is tasty too.

What's the vibe? Scarfes Bar is tucked away in Holborn's Rosewood Hotel and is so called because legendary British cartoonist Gerald Scarfe’s caricatures and Pink Floyd artwork graces its walls. Despite this playful energy, it's definitely not for kids. 

When to visit: There's live jazz most nights, so plan to swing by when you'll hear something swinging.

What to drink: Keep it sweet with a 'Princess Peach', made of gin, peach wine, acacia and dill cordial and a splash of Sauternes.

What's the vibe? The second London spot to take the Three Sheets name, following the Dalston original. This isn't your trad central London cocktail spot, but rather an innovative, young bar doing contemporary classics brimming with imagination. 

When to visit: Opening up at midday, this is something of an all-day spot. We suggest sneaking over in the early afternoon, before the evening rush to sip something strong and feel extremely chic. 

What to drink: A Mezcal Sunset, which is the grown-up older sister of a tequila sunrise, only more Ibiza than Benidorm.

What's the vibe? The basement of 100 Shoreditch hotel is a moody but friendly little listening den, with vinyl only DJs and cocktails courtesy of Ryan Chetiyawardana aka Mr Lyan. 

When to visit: They're closed Monday and Tuesday, but we recommend a mid-week or Sunday sesh to beat the crowds and have a chill one. 

What to drink: The famous C.R.E.A.M. Margarita, made with Patron Silver, blood orange, manuka tea, estate dairy cream and champagne. Woof. 

What’s the vibe? A rooftop bar in Peckham to rival Frank’s – Forza Wine has a snug indoor set-up, an expansive drinking terrace and an Italian drinks list. Not to mention some great views.

When to visit: It’s a rooftop bar that works year-round. Come when you’re hungry; the bar snacks are exceptional.

What to drink: Wine is the bar’s strong suit, so choose something low-intervention and robust.

What’s the vibe? A slick spot with an audiophile soundsystem, robust decks and rotary DJ mixer centre stage.

When to visit: The quality of record selectors that pass through the space are on another level. Check the listings and see anyone from Jarvis Cocker to your uber cool NTS fave.

What to drink: Go for an inventive cocktail like the P&B; brandy, peanut butter, pisco, banana and popcorn.

What’s the vibe? The ‘World’s Best Bar’ Dandelyan makes way for a concept from the same award-winning, cocktail-shifting team.

When to visit: When you feel like having your mind expanded. Mr Lyan hasn’t just created new cocktails – he’s created a whole new roster of ingredients to power the drinks list.

What to drink: Try ‘Infinite Banana’ in a Soy Wax Old Fashioned – then never look back.

What’s the vibe? Dalston’s tropical party shack where disco tunes rule and zingy drinks will cool the dancefloor heat.

When to visit: When you want to kid yourself you’re on a Caribbean holiday.

What to drink: The ginger Mojito is one of London’s best drinks. Try the frozen pina colada if you're in need of serious refreshment. 

What's the vibe? Tucked away in Stoke Newington, you’ll find this basement venue, which is home to a whole host of brilliant music, cabaret, queer comedy and drag shows, all of which are sure to get you out of your seat.

When to visit: Check the listings and time your trip with a great stand-up set or show. 

What to drink: Mezcal is Doña's thing, so get sipping on some tequila. 

What's the vibe? The Barbican hosted a James Bond exhibition a few years back, and included a Martini bar as part of the deal. The exhibition closed down, but the bar, well, the bar stayed on. 

When to visit: Come before a gig or after an art show. Either way, make a day of your trip to London's most brutal arts complex with an extremely stiff cocktail. It's also worth noting that there's a daily happy hour at 5pm, where two cocktails are £15.

What to drink: The Brutalist, which is made up of Four Roses bourbon, amaretto, apple juice, hickory smoke and walnut bitters and is topped with a Laphroaig scented apple fan.

What's the vibe? Super-friendly service and on-trend cocktails all the way up in Crouch End.

When to visit:  Come here for small group catch-ups over cocktails – large, tall tables help you keep it social at just the right distance.

What to drink:  Served from a bottle like sparkling rosé, the bar’s reimagining of a Pornstar Martini makes the UK’s most popular cocktail seriously cool again. Indeed, any of the bar’s bottled cocktails are ideal for taking home, too. 

What’s the vibe? As classy as they come, the Connaught Bar is a must-try for any Londoner. Sip mega-dollar drinks in a mega-dollar Mayfair setting, among a clientele of flashy hotel guests. Hey, you’re worth it.

When to visit: That very special occasion.

What to drink: Order a Martini and they’ll roll a trolley to your table. You may need rolling out after, too.

What's the vibe? A self-described 'occult rock bar', this is a heavy metal bar by any other name. If you like your music loud and your bands bearded, Helgi's is the one. 

When to visit: After the witching hour. This place is open very, very late, every night of the week. 

What to drink: A michelada, the mighty Mexican combo of beer, lime and clamato juice. Think of it as a Bloody Mary lite.

What’s the vibe? A beer bar owned by the brewery that occupies a neighbouring railway arch in Hackney’s aptly named Bohemia Place.

When to visit: When an Indian summer is in the air – a big beer garden is accommodating and the beers can be easily classified as ‘sessionable’. Food here is also thrillingly good, coming from the mighty Lagom. 

What to drink: Its own IPA is lightly sweet and fruity.

What’s the vibe? Minimal in style yet maximal in powerhouse cocktails, Tayēr + Elementary is a two-part bar from mixology heroes Alex Kratena and Monica Berg.

When to visit: When you’re looking for the house party, but in a house where they really, really, really know their drinks.

What to drink: Grab a cocktail from a slushy machine in Elementary. Tayēr (at the back) has with drinks made with the bar’s own liqueur with flavours so complex they change from sip to sip.

What’s the vibe? Upmarket mixed drinks in a down-to-earth and devilishly cool location, where you’ll find some of the best cocktails on Bethnal Green’s burgeoning booze scene (in among all the taxidermy).

When to visit: Thursday night: the weekend starts early here – they still know how to start a party, despite recent challenges.

What to drink: Satan’s Americano (Campari, sweet vermouth, grapefruit soda).

What’s the vibe? Incredible cocktails, and, in our experience, dazzlingly wonderful service. Join laughing locals quaffing classy cocktails
 in a Shoreditch bar that’s stood the test of time. As the website says, ‘great cocktails, no wallies’.

When to visit: On a late East End night out that demands something a bit classy.

What to drink: A Tokyo Collins (gin, yuzu saké, lemon, grapefruit, sugar, soda)

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What's the vibe? A bar squirrelled away down some stairs and a big old curtain on Mare Street (phew! No actual walls to clamber over). It's safe haven for record enthusiasts, and vinyl is king.

When to visit Have a chill one on a week night (it's open from 6pm every Weds through to the occasaional Sunday), with good tunes and great booze.

What to drink Stick with the classics – we could have ordered manhattans all night: so syrupy, with just a sweet lick of vermouth. 

What's the vibe? Part of the Brasserie Zédel complex, Bar Américain is one of the loveliest bars in London, with an art deco look that’s changed little in decades of its existence.

When to visit: Whenever! Treat it as a way-station en route to dinner, a nightcap-dispensary before heading home, or an evening’s entertainment all in itself (with terrific bar snacks). 

What to drink: Cocktails are split into pre, post and during prohibition eras. We go for slap bang in the middle, with a Blood and Sand, named after the 1922 bullfighter movie starring the dashing Rudolph Valentino.

What’s the vibe? Kingsland Road by way of Oaxaca, this light-filled spot is London’s first agaveria, specialising in tequila, mezcal and more.

When to visit: When you’re in need of a very stiff drink, as well as a bit of booze education.

What to drink: Dive in deep with a flight of mezcal, or prepare to be dazzled by the Mirror Margarita – a totally see-through take on Mexico’s classic cocktail.

What’s the vibe? A home for Italo disco and vermouth-laced cocktails in the basement of a King’s Cross pizza joint. It’s brought to you by audiophile haven Spiritland, so expect some slick sounds with your sipping.

When to visit: Happy hour runs from 5.30pm until 7pm, when you’ll get a plate of cicchetti and a cocktail for £6. Then get grooving under the mechanical mirror ball.

What to drink: An Amer Citron is a citrussy two-tone wonder that really looks ready for the party.

What’s the vibe? A Soho bar with a split personality spread across two floors – aperitivos upstairs, nightcaps and whisky in the moody downstairs lounge – but all drinks are flawless at Swift. No surprise, really: its owners have worked across London’s best bars. It has a spin-off in Shoreditch. 

When to visit: A date night where it could go either way.

What to drink: The prosecco-based sgroppino contains lemon sorbet. Dreamy.

What’s the vibe? The wine bar you’ve been waiting for, this Hackney Road haven is a pitstop for professional people who may lack a professional appreciation of wine. All the plonk here is served at a reasonable price by the bottle or glass.

When to visit: In the winter months. Small and dark, this is the perfect place to hunker down on a cold and wild evening. Although drinking at tables on the pavement outside suits punters in the current climate very nicely indeed.

What to drink: Though beers are available, it really has to be wine. You won’t regret any choice.

What’s the vibe? Great pizza, great beer, great outdoor space; Crate is the ultimate brewery bar and the centre point of Hackney Wick’s social scene. It probably doesn’t hurt that it’s placed right by the canal, either.

When to visit: On a sunny evening, the lure of Crate is hard to resist. Failing that, make it a lingering weekend session after a brisk walk by the water. Either way, this place is primed for socially distanced beers. 

What to drink: The irresistibly malty and light Crate Best is a treat any day of the week.

What's the vibe? The lads that do Top Cuvée (the wine bar that pivoted to Covid shop that pivoted to classy Highbury restaurant) also have a cave. And this is it. You get to their Bethnal Green bottle shop, descend some stairs and there you are. That kind of pared-back, casual spot that your mates told you didn’t really exist in London. 

When to visit A week night when you don't really want a big night, but a nice night. 

What to drink Wine, of course! House red and white are a steal at £5.50 a glass. 

What’s the vibe? Off the wall. Imagine your nan’s front room and times it by ten. And throw in a load of Princess Di and Pat Butcher memorabilia. You’re part-way there to the weirdest trip of a bar in south London.

When to visit: Evenings, when it cranks up the Abba tunes, or afternoon tea with your ma. Sunny days are best right now, as the outdoors has been turned into a Deptford drinking terrace.

What to drink: Any cocktails named after ‘EastEnders’ characters, of course.

What’s the vibe? London’s most famous rooftop bar, find Frank’s on top of a Peckham multistorey car park and reward yourself with a Campari when you get up there.

When to visit: On rare sunny days in London – it’s only open in the summer months. Just be mindful: the rest of London may have the same idea.

What to drink: Anything red or orange – an Americano or an Aperol Spritz would be our choice.

What's the vibe? A floating cocktail bar bobbing away on the Islington stretch of the Regent’s Canal. Run by brothers Fin and Lorcan Spiteri, you’ll find it moored next to their equally barge-based restaurant Caravel, which has already made waves (sorry), thanks to its playful take on British cuisine. 

When to visit: Bruno's is relatively tucked away and hidden, so it's the perfect place to hit up on a Friday night when everything else is rammed.

What to drink: Our server said the Hazelnut Sour with Frangelico tasted ‘exactly like a Kinder Bueno’ and it did! More sweetness is available in the Starliner Martini, a turbo Espresso Martini with tequila and chocolate liqueur.

What’s the vibe? Chic Bethnal Green calvados-and-cocktail bar serving French-tinged tipples to an in-the-know crowd.

When to visit: If a pint after work just isn’t going to cut it, an apple brandy should do the trick instead.

What to drink: The Champagne Piña Colada. Filled with coconut sorbet, it’s the stuff dreams are made of and has basically become east London’s most popular drink.

What’s the vibe? Peckham cocktail bar with just as much know-how when it comes to playing the tunes.

When to visit: Hit up the bar after dinner for a groovy nightcap and a chat with fun regulars. Currently, the bar also serves as a shop, selling local produce and vinyl records. 

What to drink: The Kalakuta Sour is a Fela Kuti-honouring cocktail that’s like a New York Sour but made with Nigerian bitter leaf.

What’s the vibe? Small, secretive and playful but always serious about the cocktails. Look beyond the pink umbrella in your drink for full-on flavour and watch the barmen at work for a masterclass in mixing.

When to visit: When you’re up for a chat with your local barman – they’re a friendly bunch at CTC.

What to drink: The menu changes regularly, but all cocktails have wacky decorations that won’t disappoint.

What’s the vibe? A super-chic cocktail-and-wine spot in an old tobacconist’s, with more than a touch of the Gallic about it.

When to visit: When you’re in the mood for le romance.

What to drink: The Lemon Garden is a fresh and aromatic twist on a Gin Martini. Or go all-out Parisian with a glass of wine from the bar’s own enomatic machine.

What’s the vibe? There’s eye-opening dusky glamour any time of the day at this supremely stylish hideaway – so head there early doors and just pretend it’s past 10pm. The setting is as rich as you’ll find in London, with walls embossed in gold for the mega-dollar effect.

When to visit: To remind yourself that such places exist in your city. Make the most of them.

What to drink:
 A Champagne Cocktail. What more of an excuse do you need?

What’s the vibe? Delve beneath a layer of kitsch to discover a trippy tiki bar that’s casual, sunny and funny – and now open a little earlier in the afternoon to suit that vibe.

When to visit: Weekdays are chill-days, but this is Notting Hill and a party is never far away.

What to drink: Dia de Muertos (mezcal, blood orange cordial, pineapple and citrus).

What’s the vibe? Irish-run Homeboy honours the homeland without any of the shamrocks, fiddles or clichés.

When to visit: It’s lively on the weekends, so go seek out the craic.

What to drink: While Guinness is popular, cocktails are the business. The Irish Coffee is unmissable, but the Wogan is just as easy to quaff. 

What’s the vibe? Imagine 'if Rick James and Jay Gatsby got together' to throw a bash filled with delicious cocktail confections, they say. A lot, but a lot of fun at the same time. 

When to visit: Perfect for an early-evening tipple. 

What to drink: Sample a cocktail from Fitz's 'Theory of Colour' menu. 

What’s the vibe? There’s not much to the decor, since Four Quarters says it all with retro arcade games available to play at 25p a pop. Swap pals for Pac-Man with a drink in hand – this is London’s nostalgia craze at its best.

When to visit: When a Scrabble session or a Zoom pub quiz won’t cut it in the entertainment stakes.

What to drink: Cocktails and craft beers. But remember to focus your energy on beating your Street Fighter score.

What’s the vibe? Like a museum to drinking, this Coal Drops Yard bar-restaurant is covered with posters and artwork paying homage to Italian vermouth brands – which are in strong stock behind the bar. 

When to visit: Pick a sunny day and make the most of the sweet terrace just designed for spritz swigging. 

What to drink: Vermouth by the glass (on tap or from the bottle), lengthened in a spritz or made as strong as you like in a negroni. 

What’s the vibe? Broodingly dark bar shining a light on whisky, Black Rock takes any fustiness out of the spirit. Sample from bottles in cabinets or from a tree, cut lengthways, running across the room and filled with two house blend ‘whisky rivers’.

When to visit: For serious, considered whisky drinking given a fun edge. Nightcaps never tasted so good.

What to drink: Whisky, obvs. From the tree or bottle, or served in cocktails and high balls.

What’s the vibe? Luxe hotel bar that’s so polished in pink, it’s almost as sparkling as what’s in your glass. Perfect for its glossy clientele.

When to visit: This is a destination for a pick-me-up tipple, a catch-up with the gang or a business meeting when you’re out to impress.

What to drink: The bar boasts one of the largest menus of English sparkling wine in town. Order up a glass of something (relatively) local and fizzy.