Chelsea bars

‘Tonteria’ means ‘nonsense’ in Spanish, and this Mexican-themed Sloaney hangout has silliness in spades: think fire-eating women in latex, live lucha libre wrestling and a toy train to deliver shots to your table. It suits the area to a tee. A night out will cost you, but you’ll be drinking the best cocktails Chelsea has to offer.

This is one seriously shiny cocktail bar on the King’s Road, with butterfly prints on the wall and the lights set low. The drinks menu takes south west Londoners on a trip around Italy, with small plates set to match. Some tipples are inspired by Italian poets while others are like poetry, topped with lavender air or finished with petals.

A speakeasy-themed cocktail bar in Sloane Avenue that's hidden behind an inconspicuous black door. Inside, the venue is decorated like a quirky living room, with trinkets scattered around. Bar staff are dressed to suit the 1920s theme. So if you fancy being transported away from Chelsea as you know it, make this your go-to.

This grand King's Road spot remains a popular one, and although the back room bar is just for members, mere mortals are welcome to check out any of the other areas across this four-floor venue. This includes a cocktail bar and a Champagne penthouse. So if you fancy yourself as an extra in ‘Made in Chelsea’, pull up a posh pew and raise that flute.

Part of the D&D London stable, this lively café and courtyard also caters to thirsty Chelsea-ites. Cocktails are at the luxe end of the scale – from lychee martinis to fizzy, floral numbers. Sipping these out in the Chelsea sunshine can be quite the quintessential local drinking experience.

Fancy breaking away from the civilised set? Tucked away at the ‘wrong end’ of Chelsea is this intimate jazz club, a badly kept secret hosting live music seven nights a week. So if it’s tipples with tunes you’re after, make 606 your late-night escape.

Chelsea still has some secrets in store. Like this hidden bar within restaurant Goat. It has a speakeasy theme but don’t let that intimidate you. You could be best buddies with this bar once you discover that every 10th cocktail on the house. Shh... don’t tell all your friends.