The best bars in London

What’s the vibe? Picture this: you’re sat al fresco in the gorgeous afternoon sun on London’s vibiest street, Exmouth Market, and there’s music wafting from inside the bar. You pluck the olive from your ice-cold vermouth and pop it in your mouth. The sight of someone smoking on the table next to you makes you think you could, just this once, bend the rules and have a cheeky cig. If the Spanish Riviera and old school east London had a baby, Café Kick would be it. Vintage posters and international sports scarves line the walls, and there’s a bar stocked with an eclectic mix of booze. More impressive still, is the fact that Café Kick is about to celebrate 30 years in the game. That it’s at its most popular three decades down the line is testament to its greatness.  

When to visit: Head here on a match day and you’ll leave the bar with more friends than you came with. It’s that kind of place.

What to drink: Café Kick serves draft Mahou beer, Spanish style in a 350ml glass. But for a proper Mediterranean experience, it’s vermouth on ice every time.

Address: 43 Exmouth Market, Clerkenwell, EC1R 4QL.

Opening times: Daily 12pm-midnight.

What’s the vibe? One for the crate diggers and soundsystem aficionados, Jumbi is a music-driven Peckham bar with big energy. A rolling line-up of London’s finest selectors soundtrack the evening with tunes chosen from DJ and local hero Bradley Zero’s iconic wall of records, while food and drink with flavours from the African-Caribbean diaspora will feed your soul.

When to visit: On a sunny afternoon - start on the terrace, then roll right through until close on the dance floor. 

What to drink: The rum punch, obviously.

Address: Unit 4.1, Copeland Park, 133 Copeland Road, Peckham, SE15 3SN.

 Opening times: Tue-Thu 12pm-midnight, Fri-Sat 12pm-2am, Sun 12-11pm.

What’s the vibe? You’ll find Ellie’s in the shell of late Kingsland Road favourite Pamela (RIP). But don’t get too sad about London’s lost cocktail holes, as Ellie’s is a worthy successor; an easy-going neighbourhood drinking spot that’s big on vibes and low on unnecessary pretence. On a balmy summer’s night, when their open front and pavement tables are a welcoming place to work your way through a punchy cocktail list, from a pleasingly tart raspberry daiquiri to an always-welcome spicy marg. Charli xcx also had her wedding afterparty there, making it perhaps the most Brat bar in London. 

When to visit: Despite not being in Soho, Ellie’s is home to regular events from extremely chic literary night, Soho Reading Series. 

What to drink: Perhaps taking a hint from the very reasonably priced martini over at Rasputin’s, Ellie’s offers a £8 take on this thrillingly stiff drink. 

Address: 428 Kingsland Road, Haggerston, E8 4AA.

Opening times: Wed-Thu 5.30pm-12.30am, Fri 5pm-2am, Sat 3pm-2am, Sun 3pm-12.30am.

What’s the vibe? This tucked-away test kitchen for nearby bars Discount Suit Company, The Sun Tavern and Parasol, weirdly might be the best of the bunch and finding it is all part of the fun. Head down an alleyway it doesn’t look like you should be heading down and you’ll be greeted with the sight of a teeny, tiny 12-seater bar situated in a 19th century atelier workshop. At once dramatic and extremely cosy, it would be perfect for an illicit liasion were you that kind of person. 

When to visit: Seats outside double the capacity, and there might not be a nicer place in the area to drink away a warm summer evening.

What to drink: Try out a host of weird and wonderful cocktails that might end up on the menus of the other Umbrella Project bars.On our last visit we tasted a baklava old fashioned and saw God. 

Address: Unit 10 Cleeve Workshops, Boundary Street, Shoreditch, E2 7JD.

Opening hours: Daily 12-10pm. 

What’s the vibe? A stellar Japanese cocktail bar with a menu inspired by micro-seasons. This place has won a smattering of awards since it opened in 2025, but the execution of service and quality of the drinks are more reminiscent of a veteran institution.

When to visit: Whenever! Crafting an atmosphere which could be described as ‘buzzy’ is pretty tricky at 5.30pm on a Monday evening, but Waltz somehow manages it. Inside, navy walls are painted with dainty starling murmurations. Chipper jazz plays.

What to drink: When we stopped by, the best-seller was British Strawberry, but our standout seasonal order was the White Asparagus & Fresh Peas where vodka is infused with asparagus and combined with mezcal, kefir, lemon juice and pisco. 

Address: 28 Scrutton Street, Shoreditch, EC2A 4RP.

Opening times: Mon-Thu 5-11pm, Fri-Sat 5pm-midnight, Sun closed.

What’s the vibe? The diviest of dive bars, Big John’s Biltong Bar appears to have collapsed into place or, perhaps, been excavated. The name of the bar is drawn onto the glass with a paint pen, the letters half-heartedly coloured in red. But heart is what this place has plenty of, whether it’s being among customers loudly singing along to a song you don’t recognise, the feeling of immediately being welcome or chatting to New Zealand native Big John himself, who might tell you about playing an Orc in the Lord Of The Rings movies if you’re lucky.

When to visit: When you’re hungry. The Kiwi’s concept for the bar - beer, cured meat, tat - can’t really be knocked, even if it is culturally confusing. As it was described to me - New Zealand man, Australian meat, South African biltong. Simple? Maybe. Delicious? Absolutely. The meat, served simply on paper trays at the bar, is the work of a real artisan. 

What to drink: Staropramen is the house beer, and the 4-6pm happy hour will see you with change from a fiver for a pint.

Address: 29 Deptford High St, Deptford, SE8 4AD. 

Opening hours: Mon-Wed 4-10pm, Thu 4-11pm, Fri 4pm-midnight, Sat 2pm-midnight, Sun 2-7.30pm.

What’s the vibe? Just behind the eerie 24-hour McDonald’s on City Road, you’ll find Tramps Bar, run by acclaimed artist Peter Doig and his gallerist partner Parinaz Mogadassi. A semi-municipal white-cube space, inside there are a few splashy, modern canvases on the walls and a curvy, freestanding vintage bar. Most imposing are the room’s two mammoth-sized speakers, which allegedly once belonged to Florian Schneider of German electro-pioneers Kraftwerk.

When to visit: Tramps Bar is closed weekends. In fact, the best time to visit is a weekday lunchtime, when River Cafe alumni Harry McKenzie is manning the tiny open kitchen and serving up seriously luxe meals. DJs also occasionally crop up, with the likes of Nabihah Iqbal getting behind the decks.

What to drink: The drinks offering is deft, impressive and nonchalant. On a weekly changing A4-paper menu you’ll find house martinis. Tramps Bar is very particular about martinis. They’re only gin, and never dirty. When someone’s that picky about something, it yields fantastic results.  

Address: 15f Micawber Street, Islington, N1 7TB.

Opening hours: Mon 5-11.15pm, Tue closed, Wed-Fri 12-3pm & 5-11.15pm, Sat-Sun closed. 

What’s the vibe? A lowkey dive-ish bar from the people behind sandwich slingers Dom’s Subs. Hackney by way of Chicago, come here for B-movies playing inconspicuously in the background, occasional chess nights and excellent value drinks - including a £3 mystery shot, if you dare. Your new fave east London mate-date spot.  

When to visit: Every Wednesday is ‘parm night’, and the food menu expands from their usual hotdogs to slap-up slabs of breaded chicken parmigiana. Not into juicy meat? Then come by for Honky Tonk Tuesdays, with old-school westerns on the screens and classic country bangers on the stereo. 

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

Address: 171 Mare Street, Hackney, E8 3RH.

Opening times: Tue-Fri 5-11pm, Fri-Sat 3-11.30pm. 

What’s the vibe? Sure, Bonne Route is a natural wine bar, but before you think London already has enough of those, note that there’s something particularly alluring about somewhere which feels like you’re in an exceptionally well-furnished living room. Bonne Route sits in a tiny but cool pocket of Quernmore Road (just past the pedestrian walkway at Harringay train station) and hits all the marks of a good wine bar – solid snacks and a well-chosen selection of white, red, rose, and orange wines – with an atmosphere that’s more cosy than snooty.

When to visit: It’s a cute spot if you nab one of the too-few outdoor tables, but Bonne Route is at its best inside and after dark, when it’s candle-lit and blowing a gale outside.

What to drink: I’ve never been let down by whatever French orange wine is on the menu, but you can also order from the small menu of cocktails. The margarita is always good. Oh, and try the pickled olives.

Address: 42 Quernmore Road, Harringay, N4 4QP.

Opening times: Wed-Thu 5-10pm, Fri-Sat 3-10pm.

What’s the vibe? London has been overrun with stylish listening bars recently, but few, if any, take such a fastidious approach to their drinks list as this wondrous Hackney Road specimen from Michael Sager, of neighbouring wine bar Sager + Wilde. This green-tiled treasure might have only opened at the end of 2023, but it has fast become a London cocktail classic.

When to visit: As often as possible. Their seasonal cocktail menu switches up every few months, with new concoctions to try, and they’re open from 10am on the weekend for morning coffee and pastries. 

What to drink: The Flor is a clean and thoroughly refreshing martini made with olive oil-washed vodka, fino sherry and distilled tomato water with just a hint of basil. And while few alcohol-free drinks satisfy the craving for something bitter and grown-up, Equal Parts’ no/low menu definitely does; so convincing is their alcohol-free negroni you might think you’ve been given the wrong drink.

Address: 245 Hackney Road, Hackney, E2 8NA.

Opening times: Mon-Thu 4pm-midnight, Fri-Sat 10-1am. Sun 10am-midnight.

What’s the vibe? A deeply weird but beautiful Deptford dive. Inside, there’s a Manhattan/Barcelona-style bar - dark, long and unfussy, like two shipping containers arranged end to end. It has high tables at the back and window seats should you wish to gaze on four lanes of Deptford Broadway traffic. Better people watching is found inside. Is that The Cramps over there? Was that Neil Young wearing a wizard’s hat? 

When to visit: Check their listings. Downstairs is a basement performance space, painted scarlet red and smelling mustier than a forgotten gym bag. We found a band playing grebo rock at tinnitus-inducing levels to half a dozen people on a weeknight. The same space is used for weekly comedy night Laugh Bath, which showcases up-and-coming comedians as well as new work by established comics.

What to drink: The bar is limited and unfussy - Staropramen at five quid a pint is the thing. 

Address: 39 Deptford Broadway, Deptford, SE8 4PQ.

Opening times: Mon closed, Tue-Thu 4pm-12.30am, Fri 4pm-3am, Sat 2pm-3am, Sun 2pm-12.30am.

What’s the vibe? A Parisian-style wine bar that spills onto Lower Marsh in Waterloo. Every time I go to Lower, I have a fabulous time. Many London wine bars seek to mirror the careful balance struck by a true French wine bar, that of seriously good wine and a laissez-faire attitude. Lower actually achieves it. 

When to visit: Although we’re sure it would be a welcome addition to pretty much any other London borough, it  also fits the previously tricky bill of finding somewhere fun to drink near Waterloo that isn’t a cocktail bar or a mid pub.

What to drink: There’s a properly good by-the-glass list, and a bottle list that feels expansive without feeling overwhelming. Drink alongside a fabby wee menu and buy a bottle to take away. 

Address: 19 Lower Marsh, Waterloo, SE1 7RJ.

Opening times: Sun-Mon closed, Tue-Thu 5-10.30pm, Fri-Sat 3-10.30pm.

What’s the vibe? Named after a tyranical teenage Roman Emperor who allegedly murdered the guests at one of their lavish dinner parties by smothering them with rose petals dropped from the ceiling, this secretive spot next to Dalston Junction station styles itself as a ‘Queer Clubhouse’, and is by quite some distance the fanciest LGBTQ+ venue in the city (and certainly the only one to have featured in World of Interiors).

When to visit: If you’re after a date night drink somewhere a little bit more sophisticated than Dalston Superstore and don’t mind being completely surrounded by immaculately-groomed, freelance creative directors dressed in head to toe Issey Miyake, you’ll fit right in. 

What to drink: Cocktails come from an ever-changing menu of booze-heavy modern classics – think boulevardiers, Trinidad sours and an arguably-too-dirty martini. East London’s most outré drag acts keep guests entertained with weeknight cabaret shows catered by regularly-rotating chef pop-ups. 

Address: 578 Kingsland Road, Dalston, E8 4AH.

Opening times: Mon closed, Tue-Wed 6-11pm, Thu 6pm-midnight, Fri-Sat 6pm-2am, Sun 6-11pm.

What’s the vibe? From its name, you might expect to discover a quaint little coffee shop, with fresh pastries and an avocado-centric brunch menu. By day, that’s exactly what you’ll get from Café 1001. There’s sourdough, there’s whipped feta, there’s the mandatory runny yolked poached egg. But by night, the coffee cups are replaced with cocktail shakers and bottled beers. DJs dressed in a Shoreditch uniform of vintage football jerseys, tooth gems and Vibram toe shoes spin records in a hand-built booth. A local staple, Café 1001 has just celebrated its 25th year. 

When to visit: Brick Lane is famed for many things, curry, bagels and gig venues included. Located directly opposite Rough Trade, it’s the perfect spot to kill time before you head to an in-store show. 

What to drink: In the AM: coffee sourced from High Grade Coffee & Roasters. In the PM: a selection of twists on classic cocktails. The pineapple and jalapeno margarita is a good’un.

Address: 91 Brick Lane, Shoreditch, E1 6QL.

Opening times: Sun-Mon 9am-9pm, Tue-Wed 9am-11.30pm, Thu-Sat 9am-midnight.

What’s the vibe? There’s yet another reason to check out excellent Peckham restaurant Hausu. Venture up the enticing, mahogany-clad stairs and you’ll find a beguiling cocktail bar, with inventive drinks, moreish snacks and giant vaulted windows from which to gaze upon the building of Peckham’s new public square. Inside it’s a simple but potent set-up; original brick walls are offset by flutteringly sexy red curtains, vintage 1970s classroom chairs, beige walls lined with vinyl and some largely unobtrusive decks in a corner.

When to visit: Yes, it’s another ‘listening bar’, but in this case, it just means you’ll likely hear some very good music (anything from Studio One reggae to winsome folk), which is what all bars should be aiming for, really. Local DJs play every Friday and Saturday night. 

What to drink: The salted daterini tomato martini is a surprisingly light and elegantly savoury take on the most hyped cocktail around, while the fennel negroni is sweeter than you’d think, offering an ouzo-adjacent burst of aniseed and a pineapple sidecar hums with cognac and a fruity shrub. 

Address: 11a Station Way, Peckham, SE15 4RX.

Opening times: Sun-Wed closed, Thu 6-11pm, Fri-Sat 6pm-midnight. 

What’s the vibe? The sweeping, grand Scarfes Bar can be found at the front of Holborn’s Rosewood London hotel. It’s plusher than a boxfresh Labubu, and all very vintage New York, with white-jacketed bartenders serving ice-cold martinis. On dark, moody evenings there’s even a roaring open fire to keep you warm.  The name comes from the fact that legendary British cartoonist Gerald Scarfe’s caricatures grace its walls. 

When to visit: There's live jazz seven nights a week. Time your visit for when you’ll hear something swinging, which usually starts around 7pm.

What to drink: The latest menu update includes the Temptation; a spicy margarita made with mezcal, hot kiwi sherbet, roasted aubergine and Ancho Reyes chilli liqueur.

Address: Rosewood London, 252 High Holborn, Holborn, WC1V 7EN.

Opening times: Daily 5pm-midnight.

What's the vibe? Godet calls itself a wine pub, and we don’t disagree. As the sister venue to Hackney’s tiny wine bar Binch, Godet can easily be spotted by its peachy-pink exterior and checkered curtains.

When to visit: When you need a feed. Not only are the vibes ridiculously cool, with a weekend DJ (at a reasonable volume), Godet have collabed with Ling Ling’s to serve up their epic Chinese and pan-Asian menu for the next year (think; hot and spicy tartare, and steamed prawn, chicken and Thai basil wontons) to complement a small, but mighty selection of reds, whites and oranges.

What to drink: A perky glass of pet-nat. 

Address: 382 Essex Road, Islington, N1 3PF.

Opening hours: Mon-Tue closed. Wed 5-11pm, Thu 5pm-midnight, Fri 5pm-12.30am, Sat 3pm-12.30am, Sun 3-9pm.

What’s the vibe? Not just an excellent and historic café, but a charming bar, too. Grab the tables down at the very back of the bar if you want to engage in furtive conversations, or perch up at the counter for the best people watching in Soho. 

When to visit: Better known for an excellent coffee, this historic venue also serves all manner of aperitivo, Aperol spritzes, espresso martinis, wines and beers. Open until very, very late (4am, every night), it remains one of the best places in London, and offers a rare glimpse at pre-Lizzy Line Soho. Grab a beer and enjoy the old school characters who frequent the joint.  

What to drink: A bottle of beer will do the job, but a spritz is more fitting. 

Address: 22 Frith Street, Soho, W1D 4RF.

Opening hours: Daily, 7am-4am.

What’s the vibe? A hallowed hybrid of record shop and bar - come by during the day to flick through vinyl and have a nice little coffee, swing by in the evening for live music, and cocktails. There’s also a second outpost, Next Door Records Two, in Stoke Newington. 

When to visit: Pop by during office hours if you’re looking for a daytime workspace with a little more character than your usual coffee shop. 

What to drink: It’s also a bottle shop, so you can get something fizzy (and natural) to take home after a long day tap-tapping on your laptop. Or stay for a show! 

Address: 304 Uxbridge Road, Shepherds Bush, W12 7LJ.

Opening hours: Mon-Wed 8am-11pm, Thu 8am-midnight, Fri 8am-12.30am, Sat 10am-12.30am, Sun 10am-11pm. 

What's the vibe? Blondies is as close as you’re going to get to hopping in a time machine and visiting CBGBs. A Clapton favourite run by a pair of Aussie sisters, this is a shrine to all things heavy metal – complete with demonic loos. 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, moshpit. If you find yourself in Leyton, visit and support their latest outpost, Blondies Brewery.

What to drink: Something cold. Try Blondies own beer followed by shots and then back to the beginning again. That is the Blondies way. 

Address: 205A Lower Clapton Road, Clapton, E5 8EG. 

Opening times: Thu-Sat 6pm-1.30am, Sun 6-11pm.

What’s the vibe? A very good wine bar on York Way that doesn’t take itself too seriously. 

When to visit: When you’re peckish. Chef Aidan Richardson is cooking his socks off in the kitchen right now. There should always be a skewer on, so order that.

What to drink: Holly Willcocks, head of wine has made a fabulously approachable list. Let their brilliant and sweet staff sort you out with a glass, and maybe even get the vape shop next door to set you up with a shisha (they’ve got a cute neighbourly agreement going on).

Address: 396 York Way, N7 9LW.

Opening hours: Sun-Mon closed, Tue-Thu 5-11pm, Fri-Sat 4-11pm.

What’s the vibe? Peckham’s most popular seasonal rooftop bar, unglamorously perched on a multi-storey car park. The views are just about the best in town, and the crowd is always one of the coolest.  

When to visit: During the summer - Frank’s launches every May, only to be cruelly shut in September. Head up for a Campari at sunset and to check out the vast London skyline. The pink staircase is now every bit a part of the architectural fabric of London as Big Ben. 

What to drink: Considering the heatwaves London’s been having this summer, a frozen paloma is the only ethical answer. 

Address: 95a Rye Lane, Peckham, SE15 4ST. 

Opening hours: May-September, Wed-Sun 11am-11pm.

What’s the vibe? Any bar named after an LCD Soundsystem is a good bar in our book. From the same team behind The Cause nightclub, All My Friends is a vibey Hackney Wick hangout that isn’t quite sure if it’s a record shop, a restaurant, a bar or a club, but does a pretty good impression of all four. Dough Hands - one of the best pizzas in London - is also now in residence.

When to visit: Wednesday nights, where pints and margs are all £5 a pop. Regular open decks mean you and your pals can also play DJ if you bring your vinyl along.

What to drink: The Big Smoke is a punchy cocktail made of mezcal, Aperol, morello cherry and lime. 

Address: Unit 1, Hamlet Estate, 96 White Post Lane, Hackney Wick, E9 5EN.

Opening hours: Wed 10am-11pm, Thu 10am-1am, Fri-Sat 10am-2am, Sun 10am-10pm

What's the vibe? This Kingsland Road cocktail bar is a 1980s fever dream. It’s retro avant-garde in a way that brings to mind Slovenian performance- art spaces featuring video installations and even has the industrial trance soundtrack to go with it. 

When to visit: As part of a Dalston bar-hopping extravaganza which also involves Brilliant Corners, Three Sheets and Ellie’s. If you’re there in the summer, the unexpectedly large garden terrace is a fun place to hang out, overlooking the railway.

What to drink: The Ube Ramos; a frothy, rum-based cocktail made with chocolate liqueur, ube double cream, lime, lemon and soda.

Address: 480 Kingsland Road, Dalston, E8 4AE. 

Opening times: Tue-Thu 6pm-midnight, Fri-Sat 6pm-2am, Sun 6-11pm.

What’s the vibe? Leicester Square’s notorious casino probably isn’t the first place that comes to mind for swanky cocktails, which is exactly how Archive & Myth has managed to retain its air of intrigue. Tucked away beneath the slot machines, green felt tables and waistcoated card dealers of the Hippodrome’s gambling hall, this bar prides itself on being underground in all senses of the word. It might be accessible via the Magic Mike Live entrance, but this subterranean drinking den is better suited to sultry late-night secrets whispered in dark corners than hen parties and body oil.

When to visit: Turns out, being owned by a casino does have its perks, including a late night licence. If you’re in central on the weekend and itching for a 1am nightcap, head to the Hippodrome.

What to drink: Yet another reason to make it your final destination is the bar’s ‘Minor’ menu of half-sized cocktails, all of which have been invented in-house. There’s a (loose) take on an espresso martini, a more accurate take on an actual martini and a pastel de nata-inspired sazerac.

Address: Hippodrome Casino, Cranbourn St, Leicester Square, WC2H 7JH.

Opening times: Sun-Mon closed, Tue-Wed 6pm-midnight, Thu-Fri 6pm-2am, Sat 5.30pm-2am.

What’s the vibe? If you’ve ever dabbled with London’s craft cocktail scene, you’ll no doubt be familiar with A Bar with Shapes for a Name. But the real magic happens up the road at the bar’s multifunctional sister space, Bauhaus Warehaus. It’s here in Dalston that they make and chainsaw their huge ice cubes, whip up pre-batched bottle cocktails in vast centrifugal machines and experiment with new recipes. 

When to visit: Due to their sizable garden, it’s nice to visit on a warm evening. Out back you can still enjoy their clinical yet cosy vibe, which slickly aligns with the Bauhaus movement’s principles of minimalism and mass production. You also might get to see their massive ice machine in action.

What to drink: Their brown butter old fashioned and olive oil negroni offer creamy takes on the classics, but try also their seasonal offerings, such as a very 1980s rhubarb gimlet and banana martini. Humming with habanero, the slinky ‘Haus’ marg is a steal at £8.50. 

Address: 538 Kingsland Road, Dalston, E8 4AH.

Opening times: Mon-Tue closed, Wed 6pm-2am, Thu-Sat 6pm-3am, Sun 6pm-2am. 

What's the vibe? Slinky cocktails in the bar of one of Mayfair’s best restaurants, in a room lined with gorgeous walnut wood that seem lifted directly from a 1930s cruise liner.

When to visit: When you want to visit The Dover proper but can’t be arsed to make a reservation weeks in advance. The bar is more than amenable to walk-ins and their famous burger is available on the bar menu, as is the tower of zucchini and sweet potato fritti. 

What to drink: Martinis are the thing here, with a menu dedicated to them. They’ll also transfer your drink midway through to a fresh, chilled glass in order to keep it icy cold. Incredible attention to detail.

Address: 33 Dover Street, Mayfair, W1S 4NF.

Opening times: Mon 5.30pm-12.30am, Tue-Wed 12-2.30pm & 5.30pm-12.30am, Thu-Sat 12-2.30pm & 5.30pm-1am, Sun closed. 

What’s the vibe? Part of the new wave of London listening bars, Jazu is - shh, don’t tell the others - one of the best. 

When to visit: They’ve only been open a year, but already a run of serious talent has popped up behind the Jazu decks, from hip hop hero Talib Kweli to NTS regular Tash LC. Check the listings and visit when you know good sounds are in store. 

What to drink: The rye-tai is a whiskey based mai-tai given its fruity flavour thanks to kumquat and lime. You can also pay homage to Depford’s most famous local boy with a Charlie Chaplin; sloe gin, rum and apricot liqueur. 

Address: 2 Deptford High Street, Deptford, SE8 4AF.

Opening hours: Wed 5pm-midnight, Thu 5pm-am, Fri-Sat 5pm-3am, Sun 4-11pm. 

What’s the vibe? All the best bits of American bar culture – a resplendent whiskey selection, eye-wideningly flavourful and confidently-executed cocktails, squealing blues rock on the speakers and utterly charming hospitality – hidden under a former Victorian pub near Old Street. Lowcountry is inspired by the Deep South, so expect a menu stacked with US household names (chow-chow squash, Kool-Aid, banana pudding), all incorporated into technically marvellous drinks.

When to visit: When upstairs restaurant Appalachia is open, and they can send down their truly elite bar snacks. I think about the jalapeño cornbread madeleines more than I care to admit.

What to drink: If you’re a whiskey-head, you’ll have no end of fun trying out Lowcountry’s 100-plus-strong selection of bottles. If you’re not, the Banana Pudding Sazerac is a full mouth-and-nose wave of fruit, vanilla, earthy rye and absinthe.  

Address: 71 Nile Street, N1 7RD.

Opening times: Sun-Tue closed, Wed-Thu 5pm-11pm, Fri-Sat 5pm-midnight.

What’s the vibe? Satan’s own late-night boozer.  If you like your music loud and your bands bearded, Helgi's is the one. Swing by after the witching hour, as this place is open late every night of the week. 

When to visit: Barely a night passes at Helgi’s without some themed, dark arts-adjacent event; be it corpse paint life drawing, heavy metal DJs, or live doom.

What to drink: Chug a michelada – the mighty Mexican combo of beer, lime and clamato juice – while you're pondering your next sacrifice.

Address: 177 Mare Street, Hackney, E8 3RH. 

Opening hours: Mon-Tue 8pm-1am, Wed 6pm-1am, Thu-Fri 6pm-2am, Sat 5pm-3am, Sun 3pm-1am. 

What's the vibe? The second spot to take the Three Sheets name following the much-loved Dalston original. This isn't your traditional central London cocktail bar, but a place to enjoy contemporary classics brimming with imagination. 

When to visit: Opening at midday, this is 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, the grown-up older sister of a tequila sunrise, and more Ibiza than Benidorm.

Address: 13 Manette Street, Soho, W1D 4AP.

Opening times: Mon-Thu 3-11.30pm, Fri 3pm-12am, Sat 12pm-midnight, Sun 3-10.30pm. 

What’s the vibe? Le Beaujolais is about as far away as you can get from London’s new wave of hip natural wine bars. Open since 1972, this robust timewarp of a venue comes complete with rustic French tables and ties hanging from the ceiling, like the last 1980s yuppie has only just been asked to leave. Pure Keith Floyd-core. 

When to visit: Be like the French and come for a small glass of Chardonnay on a weekday lunchtime - there’s a short menu of classic French cuisine too; croque monsieurs, steak frites and boeuf bourguignon. 

What to drink: Wine, of course. Choose from the chalkboard menus, or the exclusively French list; which is broken down by region, from the Loire to Bourgogne, via the Rhône, Bordeaux, and of course, Beaujolais.

Address: 25 Litchfield Street, Covent Garden, WC2H 9NJ. 

Opening hours: Mon-Sat 12pm-11pm, Sun 12-10pm.

What’s the vibe? Dive is dark, intimate, and straight out of a 1970s nightclub movie scene. Low lighting, shimmering surfaces, plush vintage furnishings soften the industrial shell. This sleek Marylebone basement has the confidence of a members’ club, without any of the eye-rolling exclusivity. It’s the perfect place for an after-dinner cocktail, when you’ll inevitably stay for three.

When to visit: After 9pm on a Friday, when the music and atmosphere all hit their stride, but arrive a little earlier if you want one of the best seats. 

What to drink: Drinks are inventive without being frivolous, balancing familiar flavours with unexpected twists that reward curiosity. From an intriguing ‘Brioche Martini’ with brown butter and spice to Le Peach, which refreshes the classic Manhattan with fruity wine and bourbon, the bartenders are happy to guide you through the menu. 

Address: 50-54 Blandford Street, Marylebone, W1U 7HX.

Opening hours: Sun-Mon closed, Tue-Wed 6pm-midnight, Thu 6pm-12.30am, Fri-Sat 6pm-1am. 

What's the vibe? A beer-drinkin’, bourbon-swiggin’ adjunct to Texas Joe’s Slow Smoked Meats next door, this semi-secret London Bridge bar is a great place to sink beers and listen to country music.

When to visit: Swing by after a trip next door to have a nice sit down after your serious meat-sweat session scoffing BBQ from the Lone Star State. Or simply come for a potent margarita and a soundtrack of Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson classics. Lots of fun. 

What to drink: If straight bourbon is a little too strong for you, then a nice cold marg will set you right.

Address: 8 Snowsfields, London Bridge, SE1 3SU.

Opening hours: Mon closed, Tue-Wed 5-10pm, Thu 12-10pm, Fri-Sat 12-11pm. 

What’s the vibe? Upmarket cocktails in a devilishly cool but down-to-earth location. You’ll find some of the best drinks in Bethnal Green - if not all of London - in this award-winning watering hole. It’s also known for a fairly uncompromising ’90s hip hop soundtrack. 

When to visit: Thursday night: the weekend begins early here – they still know how to start a party. It’s usually always busy, but try and grab one of the seats up at the bar so you can watch the masters at work.

What to drink: The Peasant’s Margarita: triple sec, pink grapefruit juice, tequila, honey syrup. Down-to-earth and delicious.

Address: 343 Cambridge Heath Road, Bethnal Green, E2 9RA.

Opening times: Sun-Thu 5pm-midnight, Fri-Sat 5pm-1am.

What's the vibe? Established by Heavenly Records at the end of the ’90s, this bar has been a London nightlife hero ever since. Lovely wood-lined booths upstairs make you feel a little classy 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 hosts including White Rabbit Books, So Young, Communion, Rough Trade Books. There's also LOCALISM, their great new free entry Friday night house, techno and disco night. They’ve recently been granted a late weekend licence, so it’s great for a nightcap, too.

What to drink: Pints. But remember to become a member for drinks offers and raffle tickets for a weekly bar tab.

Address: 5 Little Portland Street, Fitzrovia, W1W 7JD.

Opening times: Mon-Wed 5pm-midnight, Thu 5pm-1am, Fri 5pm-3am, Sat 6pm-3am, Sun closed. 

​​What’s the vibe? A terrifyingly fun horror-movie-and-sports-themed bar in central London, with more than 30 screens showing big games (sound off) and subtitled cult classics like Nightmare on Elm Street and The Shining. 

When to visit: After your first couple of after-work pints, when you want somewhere reliable. It also has a very decent 2am licence every night of the week. Don’t miss their loaded fries, tomato-based cocktail menu and various opportunities for organised fun - karaoke, arcade games, darts and pool.

What to drink: Ease yourself in with a leisurely michelada: refreshing lager mixed with tomato juice, lemon and spice mix.

Address: 27-29 Endell Street, Covent Garden, WC2H 9BA.

Opening times: Sun-Fri 12pm-2am, Sat 9.30am-2am.

​​What’s the vibe? A small, low-lit room (how every good bar should be) on an Islington backstreet, with a subtle jazz-age energy. A truly classy joint with staff who are all incredibly serious about what they do. 

When to visit: Come for the live acts on a Thursday, or the in-house pianist tinkling away on Wednesdays and Sundays. And always remember to book – this place is popular for good reason.

What to drink: The mojito-adjacent Barber Shop Fizz, a cocktail made with gin, lime, mint, patchouli, birch and soda, will leave you feeling fresh.

Address: 69 Colebrooke Row, Islington, N1 8AA.

Opening times: Tue-Wed 5pm-12am, Thu 5pm-1am, Fri-Sat: 5pm-2am, Sun 5pm-12am.

What’s the vibe? An agave-focused bar in the grand, Grade II-listed former police station that now houses the NoMad hotel. There’s an old-school gentleman’s club kind of grandeur to this low-lit space.

When to visit: Late at night. Side Hustle is open until 1am on Saturday and Sundays, and is perfect for a night cap. Hungry? Time your visit for after your dinner at Twenty8 Nomad, the hotel’s newly-revamped in-house restaurant.

What to drink: The Churros Milk Punch, which includes vodka, tequila, cinnamon and maple, is at once comforting and nostalgic. 

Address: 28 Bow Street, Covent Garden, WC2E 7AW.

Opening times: Mon-Thu 5pm-midnight, Fri-Sat 3pm-midnight, Sun 3-11pm.

What’s the vibe? We’re not saying you need to ride a motorcycle to drink here, but if you turned up in leathers and with your helmet in hand, chances are you wouldn’t be the only one. All My Gods pitches itself as an alternative cocktail spot: think heavy rock and alternative sounds on the speakers, corrugated-iron interiors, and a custom all-black pool table.

When to visit: There’s drag bingo on a Thursday, motorbike meet-ups on a monthly basis and queer community nights on a rotating roster, so take your pick.

What to drink: If the sound of £8 martinis makes you question their quality, have no fear. All My Gods is the brainchild of the team behind recently-shuttered Soho whisky bar Dram, so you can trust their dedicated ‘Martininator’ machine to make you a properly stiff drink. Cocktail slushies and a BuzzBallz vending machine also feature or, if you’re craving something simple, a pint of Guinness.

Address: 253 Paradise Row, Bethnal Green, E2 9LE.

Opening times: Mon-Tue closed, Wed-Fri 5pm-midnight, Sat 3pm-midnight, Sun 1-10pm.

What’s the vibe? If Salvador Dalí were to design an upscale east London cocktail bar, it might look something like Flipdog. This eye-catching venue in Old Street’s Imperial Hall is like a Surrealist painting come to life. 

When to visit: When you want to feel like you’ve been beamed onto an especially stylish spaceship. Faces and eyeballs adorn the upholstered booths in a low-lit subterranean bar that features chrome surfaces, wooden panelling and liberal use of burnt orange and electric blue. Eclectic, eccentric, yet somehow it really works. 

What to drink: Intended to evoke moments that will be familiar to anyone living in a bustling metropolis, the signature cocktail list features concoctions with names like ‘Sunday Roast’ and ‘Morning on the Platform’. There’s real creativity and panache to presentation at Flipdog; the ‘Half Pint’, a sweet, tart, carbonated concoction featuring Johnnie Walker, looks every bit like a fancy craft beer, arriving on a beer mat with a head of oat-corn foam, while the warm, dark rum-based ‘Night Cab’ is garnished with an impressively realistic edible leather tag. 

Address: 104-122 City Road, Shoreditch, EC1V 2NR.

Opening hours: Sun-Mon closed, Tue-Wed 5-11pm, Thu 5pm-midnight, Fri-Sat 5pm-2am.

What’s the vibe? Bar Flor is laden with loveliness. You’d expect little else from Aaron Potter and Laura Hart, the chef and interior stylist duo who gave us the elegant Wildflowers downstairs.

When to visit: This is a very romantic, date-coded bar. There is food too, plates of dangerously moreish bar snacks on pretty floral plates that look like they’ve been pulled from a Spanish abuela’s kitchen cupboards. 

What to drink: The Adonis, which is made of Cocchi Torino vermouth, Manzanilla sherry and a dash of orange bitters, or the luxuriously smoky Flor Margarita.

Address: Newsons Yard, 57 Pimlico Road, Belgravia, SW1W 8NE.

Opening hours: Wed-Sat 5-11pm.

What’s the vibe? Dalston’s pleasingly grubby tropical party shack. Come for excellent tunes and zingy drinks, but best of all is the dancefloor out back.

When to visit: When you want to kid yourself you’re on a holiday. Happy hour runs from 6-9pm from Tuesday to Friday, with two drinks for £12, so get ready to double fist your way through the early evening. Sounds are of the non-specific good times nature, and the venue is ‘committed to fostering diverse female, non-binary and gender non-conforming DJ talent’. 

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

Address: 49 Ridley Road, Dalston, E8 2NP.

Opening times: Tue-Wed 6pm-2am, Thu-Sat 6pm-3am.

What’s the vibe? It could be because they guarantee bang for your buck. Perhaps it’s the fact that ordering one is undeniably chic and utterly decadent. Whatever the reason, martinis are back, baby. Brutes is here to quench the thirst of anyone with a penchant for the strong stuff. This hidden Mayfair haunt only recently opened its doors, but stepping inside is like a time machine to Gatsby-era New York, white-jacketed bartenders and branded mini matchbooks included.

When to visit: Tucked away on Bruton Place, Brutes is a stone’s throw from some of the Mayfair’s top food spots, making it perfect for a pre- or post-dinner drink. Though be warned: any more than two rounds and you won’t be making that reservation.

What to drink: Martinis, duh. Dry, wet, dirty or brutal, depending on your preference and tolerance. Luckily for those with a weaker constitution, your stiff drink comes with a snack. Choices range from gildas and blue cheese olives to Monster Munch, and even a bump of caviar atop a pearl spoon. We are in Mayfair after all, darling.

Address: 34A Bruton Place, Mayfair, W1J 6NR.

Opening times: Mon-Tue closed, Wed-Thu 5-11.30pm, Fri-Sat 5pm-midnight.

What’s the vibe? One of the very last bastions of Old Soho, this subterranean speakeasy is stacked full of character – and characters. Like a bar from The Sopranos relocated to central London. Technically called the New Evaristo Club, everyone knows it as Trisha’s, because of iconic landlady and de facto Queen of Soho, Trisha Bergonzi. 

When to visit: You’ll need to be a member – or the guest of one – to visit. So check their Instagram page for details on how to join up. Once you’re in, there’s regular karaoke, live jazz and all manner of old-school naughtiness.

What to drink: This isn’t the place for lavish mixologist crafted cocktails. Stick with bottles of beer. Trisha’s is more about the vibe than tasting heaven via the medium of the martini glass. 

Address: 57 Greek Street, Soho, W1D 3DX.  

Opening times: Daily 5.30pm-1.30am.

What’s the vibe? Named after the Spanish term for ‘female truck driver’ – a euphemism for butch lesbians – La Camionera is inspired by Iberian bars frequented by the pair who founded it, trans masc musician and DJ Alex Loveless and Spanish artist Clara Solis.

When to visit: Every Tuesday is singles night, with ‘low pressure speed dating, matchmaking, and games’, during which flirting with strangers is highly encouraged. How very retro.

What to drink: A classy little caña of lager, or a glass of biodynamic wine. 

Address: 243 Well Street, Hackney, E9 6RG. 

Opening times: Mon-Tue 4-11pm, Thu-Sat 10am-11.30pm, Sun 10am-11pm.

What’s the vibe? A storied art-deco enclave within the hallowed underground Brasserie Zedel complex. It began life as Dick’s Bar, when this huge subterranean space was the Atlantic Bar & Grill and the late, great Dick Bradsell (inventor of the espresso martini) was the man shaking up cocktails. Little has changed since, and this is a good thing.

When to visit: Before - or after - a meal at Zedel, which remains one of central London’s best value treats, with a daily prix fixe menu starting at £16.95 for two courses.

What to drink: One of the cocktails inspired by the Golden Age of Hollywood. The Bogart is a French 75-inspired tipple, the only cocktail mentioned by name in 1942’s Casablanca. 

Address: 20 Sherwood Street, Soho, W1F 7ED.

Opening hours: Mon-Thu 5pm-midnight; Fri 4pm-midnight, Sat 3pm-midnight, Sun 4-11pm.

What’s the vibe? The UK’s first independent sake bar, Moto is home to a whole wall of sake and a whole lot of knowledge. The room is narrow, just like the Shinjuku hole-in-the-wall of your dreams, with just a few seats up at the bar.

When to visit: When you want to eat as well as drink. The otsumami menu of Japanese style tapas is designed to elevate and enhance their sake offering, with a series of down-to-earth, home-cooking style comfort dishes. 

What to drink: A sake flight will give you a swift education in fermented rice beverages. 

Address: 7 Maiden Lane, Covent Garden, WC2E 7NA.

Opening hours: Tue-Wed 12pm-midnight, Fri-Sat 12pm-12.30am, Sun 12-10pm.

What’s the vibe? A poky joint from the same people as vegan Sichuanese restaurant Facing Heaven and Stokey diner Johnny Boy’s. Easy 8 is replete with classic ‘dive bar’ signifiers; fairy lights, wood-panelled walls, a confusing array of wall decor, liberally tagged loos and eerie red lighting reminiscent of a David Lynch movie.

When to visit: On their Thursday night happy hour, where patrons line their stomachs with LA-style tacos for £2 a pop, before taking advantage of a 2-for-1 drinks offer.

What to drink: Their michelada is a dangerously drinkable concoction of Clamato juice, Tajin hot sauce, a good glug of soy sauce and a Modelo beer. Just the right balance of zing, saltiness and umami, you’d be hard pressed to find a better one in Downtown LA. 

Address: 159A Mare Street, Hackney, E8 3RD.

Opening times: Tue-Sat 6-11pm. 

What’s the vibe? Whoever the crowd, whatever the hour, Mascara Bar’s vibe is untouchable. Raucously friendly and always entertaining, this bar is all the more trendy simply because it never remotely attempts to be so. Whether you’re in Mascara Bar for the whole night or just for the late closing time, it’s as good as Irish bars in London get and boasts a formidable live music schedule (with its own annual folk and country festival) as well as regular showings of big-ticket football games. It’s such a Stokey institution that it defines the edge of the neighbourhood (anything further north is Stamford Hill, by our books).

When to visit: When you want to loosen up a little. Mascara’s spangly gold stage isn’t just for professional musicians – on Fridays (and most Saturdays) it’s also one of north London’s most legendary karaoke spots. Get up on that stage and croon out ‘Smooth Operator’. You know you want to.

What to drink: The bar’s well-stocked and reasonably priced, and the beer’s well-kept. Start with fresh Guinness, then let the night take you onto bigger things (yep, spirit-mixers).

Address: 72 Stamford Hill, N16 6XS.

Opening times: Mon-Wed 11am-2am, Thu-Sun 11am-3am.