London is known for its vibrant nightlife and has become a mecca for cocktail lovers. With so many options to choose from, it can be hard to determine which are the best bars in London.

All of the bars discussed have been carefully selected based on their reputation, quality of drinks, and atmosphere. They all offer a unique experience that promises to tantalise taste buds and impress even the most experienced cocktail connoisseurs. From speakeasies hidden away in secret locations to modern venues with fabulous views – there is something to suit everyone’s preferences. To make your decision easier, this article will provide an overview of the 12 best cocktail bars in London.

Nightjar

129 City Rd, London EC1V 1JB

A pioneer of the London cocktail scene, Nightjar is one of the most iconic Prohibition-style speakeasy bar in trendy Shoreditch, East London. Because of its rich, imaginative beverages, the bar has been a constant feature on best bars lists around the world since its inception more than a decade ago. Nightjar’s latest opening offers all the amenities you’d expect; a mouth-watering cocktail menu, live music, and an old-fashioned glitzy atmosphere in an accessible location that feels a million miles away from London’s hectic streets.

bar at nightjar

The speakeasy bar stylings at Nightjar

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538 Kingsland Road, E8 4AH

Dalston’s Kingsland Road houses this minimalist spot inspired by Andy Warhol’s Factory, which features polished concrete walls and foil-papered walls. Everyone is offered the Wish before the evening begins – a palate cleanser of beetroot, raspberry and rose-infused dehydrated gel. You can ask the team to suggest a drink based on the minimal menu – the details are vague. A new moon liquor is a fusion of sake, Japanese vodka, and mineral water, while snow is distilled with clay, chalk, and enoki vodka.

Bar Termini

7 Old Compton Street, W1D 5JE

Tony Conigliaro’s second bar is on Old Compton Street, where he collaborated with Illy coffee veteran Marco Arrigo to establish an all-day Italian pit stop. This bar is named after the Rome train station and attracts a crowd. A coffee snob on his morning commute and a discerning cocktail drinker after work. The Classico, Superiore (laced with pink peppercorns), and Robusto, a caramel-flavoured Negroni, are among the best beverages here.

Three Sheets

510b Kingsland Road, E8 4AE

The Manchester-born Venning Brothers launched Three Sheets, a stylish neighbourhood bar, in the East End. They learned their cocktail skills at 69 Colebrooke Row and Crazy Pedro’s. There is a modest cocktail menu, and the brothers are constantly coming up with new creations: a crisp Blackcurrant Americano, a smoky Picante, or a refreshing Earth Martini created with Victory Vodka, a London-made vodka made in small amounts. Neighbourhood bars like these are now part of London’s cocktail scene.

Bhanda Bhai

79-81 Mortimer St, W1W 7SJ

Bandra Bhai is accessed via a discrete staircase near Pali Hill restaurant. It takes inspiration from the smuggler’s dens of the 1970s, complete with a taxidermized peacock. The interior is distinctly Dishoom, and is designed to recall Bandra, a former fishing village outside Bombay. Delicious bar snacks, including roasted masala nuts and grilled lamb cutlets, and lively cocktails will the atmosphere more upbeat. There’s no better cocktail than the Disco Inferno, which combines cardamom-infused vodka with mango, chilli, and lime.

Hacha

378 Kingsland Road, E8 4AA

The Dalston-based Hacha bar specialises solely in tequila, also known as mezcal in Mexico. Despite its proximity to Three Sheets, this green and light setting avoids any Day of the Dead clichés. Tequila and mezcal are featured in a few classic cocktails on the menu. The Mirror Margarita, a crystal-clear serving spritzed with Cointreau and grapefruit, is one of East London’s most popular drinks. This is a terrific location to unwind with delicious Mexican meals to complement the tacos and fried seabass.

 

Be oom tea shop

Teashop by day, Be-oom offers unique tea-based Cocktails in the evening

Be-oom

27 Exmouth Market, EC1R 4QL

As a tea shop and garden during the day, Be-oom offers beautifully designed homewares along with leaves sourced from Korea’s Hadong and Boseong regions. The restaurant’s evening menu, however, includes a variety of tea-based cocktails that are truly memorable – such as persimmon tea spiked with cognac – along with a selection of anjoo, or evening snacks, which include seaweed crisps with kimche mayonnaise.

Side Hustle

Old Police Station Entrance, 28 Bow Street, WC2E 7AW

In our roundup of the best cocktail bars in London, Side Hustle at the noMad makes the cut as one of the hottest hotel bar. In what used to be Covent Garden’s old police station, Side Hustle serves the finest agave concoctions to both hotel guests and walk-in visitors. The dimly lit interior and retro furnishings are the highlights of the restaurant. The walls are painted dark wood and are covered with Martin Parr prints. Globular lights illuminate plush leather booths, while stools are arranged under the marble-topped bar, which is stocked with spirits that reach the ceiling. Considering the menu has a Mexican flair, it makes sense to try the two seasonal margaritas.

Lyaness

Sea Containers London, 20 Upper Ground, SE1 9PD

Mr Lyan (aka Ryan Chetiyawardana) is without a doubt one of London’s most famous mixologists, and he has developed an amazing bar at the stylish Sea Containers London hotel on South Bank. Lyaness, a blue-and-grey Art Deco space, has already been ranked on The World’s 50 Best Bars list again just a few years after it reopened. The cocktail menu focuses on seven distinct ingredients, such as the Marigold Gimlet (Bacardi, oyster honey, brioche, apple blossom) and the 21st Daisy (Bacardi, oyster honey, brioche, apple blossom) (Grey Goose, green sauce liqueur, white cacao, passion fruit). Sourdough flatbread, curried goat, and roasted courgette canapés are on the menu.

Swift

12 Old Compton St, W1D 4TQ

Swift, a craft cocktail bar situated near the vibrant Soho area, is a dream come true for mixology enthusiasts. With its unique and exquisite cocktails, Swift has earned its right to be called one of the best cocktail bars in London.

To say that Swift offers exceptional drinks would be an understatement; their cocktails are simply divine. The menu offers a variety of classical drinks as well as some innovative creations. As if that wasn’t enough, you can also enjoy some light snacks such as charcuterie boards and cheese platters. The interior of Swift is designed with great attention to detail – from the dim lighting to the vintage furniture – creating an atmosphere that is both cosy and inviting.

Coupette

423 Bethnal Green Road, E2 0AN

This French-inspired East End bar, with a Calvados bar feel, opened in Bethnal Green in 2017. There is a rotating menu of traditional French drinks, such as Lillet Rosé and citrusy Italicus or one featuring whiskey, chocolate bitters, or rum. In keeping with the French theme, crepes are available as bar snacks. The main attraction is the drinks – it’s all about cocktails here, and there’s no better place to learn about Calvados than this hotel bar.

Martinez

 49 Greek St, W1D 4EG

One of Soho’s hidden gems located on Greek Street, the Martinez is a members’ cocktail lounge for mixology lovers that opened in the summer of 2021. As its goal, it celebrates forgotten drinks that paved the way for modern beverages. The name of the bar is named after a dangerous cocktail called the Martinez (created in the 1860s) was created from gin, maraschino liqueur, orange bitters, dry vermouth, and dry vermouth. It’s also possible to get off-the-menu requests, as well, since there are “post-prohibition” cocktails on the menu.