The best bars in Canary Wharf

Soma has expanded from its Soho base, opening an outpost in Canary Wharf. A quiet retreat in an area better known for skyscrapers and wannabe Gordon Gekkos, the menu is similarly minimalist, with cocktails named for their ingredients. Try the Raisin, made with butter raisin Hapusa gin, amontillado, jasmine and Champagne, which maintains the dryness of Champagne while also bringing in an undeniably raisin-y sweetness.

This American-style barbecue and seafood joint has a Jamaica-influenced rum bar within its quarters. And it’s open from 7am each day. There’s nightly live tunes to soundtrack your drinking – work through cask rums on tap and a ‘library’ of bottles from the Caribbean, Central America and beyond. That should give you sea legs for a walk across the Wharf afterwards.    

At this famous Scottish restaurant, bar and music venue, no cliché is knowingly ducked – mounted stag’s head and angling trophy, tartan carpet, table-top thistles – yet they’re delivered with a cheerful wink. After 9pm there’s a stiff cover charge to watch jazz or blues from a stage at the far end of a pewter bar counter, where there’s a daunting number of fine whiskies. Bring it on!  

A sky-high restaurant and bar over Canary Wharf, Bōkan’s bar is up on the 38th floor of the Novotel, with amazing views of London’s skyline. The wine list is lengthy and cocktails have a maritime theme that plays on the history of the docks down below. But it’s mostly about the views, tbh.

Who loves gin? Everybody! Especially us Brits. In Canary Wharf, The Marriott pairs everyone’s favourite spirit with another Great British love: tea. Back to the gin though – there are 180 types to work your way through in hotel bar surrounds.

Masterchef winner Thomasina Miers opened this third branch of her Mexican restaurant mini-chain in Canary Wharf in November 2009. Its terrace bar is a plant-filled space serving tequila and mezcal mixed drinks.  

In the middle of Montgomery Square you’ll find this shipping-container-turned-bar. Enjoy wine, beer or just a coffee in the sunshine while the working world trundles on around you.