The 26 Best Bars in London Right Now (2024)
Written by Grace Laughlin May 2023, updated January 2024
Whether it’s after-work drinks or a grand celebration you’re after, England’s exuberant capital has got you covered. You’ll find hotel bars exhibiting old-time luxury glamour in excess, humble pubs serving up hearty grub and some of the world’s best pints, not to mention coveted speakeasies maintaining the excitement of scandals of the past.
For anyone looking to sip, guzzle and glug their way through the city, this is our curated guide to the very best of London’s drinking scene.
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Best Bars in London (interior design)
1. Scarfes Bar at Rosewood London
© Rosewood Hotels
Honoring the infamous talents of British cartoonist Gerald Scarfe, the Rosewood London's cozy Scarfes Bar exudes a sophisticated ambiance with its dark wood and heavy marbled interiors. The dimly lit space resembles an iconic, old-school gentleman's club, but the atmosphere remains lighthearted with Gerald Scarfe's satirical cartoon gallery.
Price range: $$$$
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2. Swift Soho
© Bar Swift
Swift Soho has embraced an elegant and mature approach to mixology. With two floors offering contrasting atmospheres, this split-level establishment welcomes both casual drop-ins and serious connoisseurs of drinks.
The upstairs area adopts a European-style aperitif concept, serving classic cocktails and draft beer to transient visitors before they venture elsewhere. However, if you choose to descend downstairs, you'll discover a romantically lit speakeasy awaiting you.
Price range: $$
Address: 12 Old Compton St, London W1D 4TQ
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3. Upstair’s at Rules
© Rules Restaurant
Don't be fooled by Rules stale and stuffy character—although it holds the title of the oldest restaurant in London, you can forgive them for sticking to what they know. Once you shimmy past the friendly doorman at the stairs, make your way up to what was once the dining room of King Edward VIII (yes, it's that old) and is now an elegant cocktail bar.
The menu predominantly features well-crafted, classic cocktails, but if you entrust yourself to the skilled hands of the bartenders, they will happily reinvent any classic to suit your preferences. The absence of music allows for good, old-fashioned conversation to take center stage, making it the ideal spot for a date if things are going well.
Price range: $$$
Address: 34-35 Maiden Ln, London WC2E 7LB
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4. SOMA Soho
© SOMA Soho
SOMA, named after the Hindu God of the moon, is the classy younger sibling of the Indian-inspired restaurant group Kricket. The modern and minimalist decor takes a backseat, allowing the flavor-packed menu to shine and continuing Kricket's Indian influence while embracing a refreshing new approach to mixology. A playful twist on the classic Old Fashioned is the 'Jaggery,' which reinvents the vintage favorite with jaggery cane, Knob Creek, toasted coconut, and mace.
SOMA relies heavily on a walk-in system, but its 3 am bar license allows you to enjoy SOMA's innovative concoctions until the early hours of the morning, making it the perfect destination for a spontaneous night out.
Price range: $$$
Address: 14 Denman St, London W1D 7HJ
5. The Faltering Fullback
The Faltering Fullback is an unpretentious Irish pub that offers a delightful selection of Thai dishes and serves one of the best pints of Guinness in London. However, the pub's true gem is its unexpected three-level beer garden, which resembles a jungle and provides excellent views over
Finsbury Park. With its listed building and maze-like layout, the pub exudes a quintessentially British atmosphere. The friendly staff and regular live music performances contribute to making the Faltering Fullback one of North London's most beloved treasures.
Price range: $
6. Cahoots
© Cahoots London
Since its opening in 2015, Cahoots has skyrocketed to the top of tourist bucket lists as a must-visit destination. The menu is inspired by the black market liquor of the 1940s, and drinks are served in tins that evoke the era of post-war prohibition.
Despite being a hidden underground establishment, you'll need to book weeks in advance to secure entry, as seats in the tube train carriage are in particularly high demand. Cahoots promises its visitors delicious cocktails, a lively atmosphere, and an all-around jolly good time. This bar is an essential visit for anyone who has ever wanted to travel back in time.
Price range: $$$
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7. The Red Room at The Connaught Hotel
© The Connaught
Rubbing shoulders with one of the top 5 bars in the world is The Red Room, the newest drinkery at The Connaught Hotel. Behind a plush, velvet doorway, you'll discover an art lover's paradise—a pastel pink room adorned with a rich collection of predominantly red artworks. The lineup of artists includes renowned names like Louise Bourgeois, Jenny Holzer, and Trina McKillen, as well as emerging talents like Ti-a Thuy Nguyen.
Unsurprisingly, red takes center stage on the menu, offering some of the finest red wines from around the world. It's an excellent opportunity to indulge and try something extravagant, as guests can order by the glass thanks to the Red Room's Coravin system.
Price range: $$$$
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8. Booking Office 1869
© Booking Office 1869
The cathedral-style windows and original red brick of St. Pancras train station's former ticket hall are truly something to behold, making the Booking Office 1869 bar one of London's most unmissable drinkeries. In 2021, Hugo Toro was enlisted to reimagine the decor, drawing inspiration from the 19th century.
Today, the Booking Office is a wonderland of eccentric patterns, elegant lighting fixtures, and palm trees that graze the ceiling. Enjoy one of the finest interpretations of classic cocktails found in King's Cross as you marvel at the breathtaking decor. If cocktails aren't your preference, peruse the extensive wine menu, which offers an almost infinite selection.
Price range: $$
Address: Euston Rd., London NW1 2AR
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9. Atrium Bar, NoMad London
© NoMad London
Conveniently located directly opposite The Royal Opera House, NoMad London's latest addition, Atrium Bar, is making waves in the London cocktail scene with the same enthusiasm as its counterpart, NoMad New York's Elephant Bar.
The menu showcases several classics from the renowned NoMad cocktail book, establishing a connection between the London and New York worlds. A crowd favorite among Londoners is the 'Hot Lips,' a tantalizing blend of tequila and mezcal, accentuated with hints of tangy jalapeño.
Price range: $$$
Address: 28 Bow St, London WC2E 7AW
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10. The Berkeley Bar and Terrace
© Bryan O’Sullivan Studio
Bryan O'Sullivan, the visionary designer, is responsible for the stunning interiors at The Berkeley, as well as other notable projects like The Red Room and The Painter's Room, which are also featured on this list. True to O'Sullivan's signature style, The Berkeley's newest drinking establishment exudes old-world glamour. Soft caramel tones complement the walnut timber used throughout the bar, creating a cozy ambiance.
The epitome of intimacy is found in 'The Snug,' a secluded area that can accommodate nine guests and showcases incredible murals on the walls, offering breathtaking views of St. Paul's Cathedral below. The menu features a fine selection of champagnes, wines, and classic cocktails. For an extra indulgence, guests can enjoy a selection of cigars on the terrace outside.
Price range: $$$
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11. The Fumoir at Claridge’s
© Claridge’s Hotel
The sleek, art deco cocktail bar in Claridge's, Mayfair, is a jewel in the crown of London's drinking culture history. Since 1929, The Fumoir has seen London's socialites through some seriously intimate soirées. With only twelve exclusive seats to fill, this is the perfect spot for a private conversation or a quiet nightcap.
The Fumoir's motto when it comes to cocktails is "just as they were then," mixing up only vintage classics and preparing them at the bar, in full view of guests.
Price range: $$$
Address: Claridge's, Brook St, London W1K 4HR
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12. Library Bar at the Ned
© The Ned
Featuring outstanding mixology and what has come to be known as "the liquid museum," The Ned Hotel's seventeenth bar is anything but a bookish situation. As you would expect from the people behind Soho House, The Library evokes an intimacy that is not only inviting but also almost homely—although we would be lying if we said our homes had even an ounce of The Library Bar's refinement.
The main highlights are champagne and martinis, and the bartenders even offer a "make your own" service when it comes to them. You can select your own choice from an extensive list of gin and vodka and have your martini just the way you like it... Will that be shaken for you, Mr. Bond?
Price range: $$$$
Address: 27 Poultry, London EC2R 8AJ
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13. The Coral Room at the Bloomsbury Hotel
© The Coral Room
The Coral Room is a vivacious, vibrant spot in the heart of Bloomsbury, featuring bespoke illustrations by Luke Edward Hall and interiors designed by none other than Martin Brudnizki. For something quintessentially British, pop in during the day for a sophisticated spot of afternoon tea, away from the hustle and bustle of Soho outside.
The transformation from day to night sees The Coral Room come to life, with guests spilling onto the terrace for a more alfresco experience and occasional live music.
Price range: $$$
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14. Beaufort Bar at the Savoy
© The Savoy
Situated in what was originally the Savoy's world-famous cabaret stage is The Beaufort, a bar fit to fill the shoes of the venue's theatrical past. The jet black and shimmering gold interiors create a certain drama that sets the stage for a night of decadent revelry.
The bar even hosts burlesque and cabaret performances on the first Sunday of every month, in a risqué nod to the debauchery of years gone by. The drinks match the interiors and are dripping with glamour. We recommend 'Coco,' a delicious concoction of Grey Goose, Lillet Blanc, and vintage Moet, paying a perfect tribute to the irreplaceable mother of style.
Price range: $$$$
Address: Strand, London WC2R 0EZ
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15. Seed Library at One Hundred Shoreditch
© One Hundred Shoreditch
The mastermind behind the intricate menu at Seed Library is none other than the maestro mixologist, Ryan Chetiyawardana, otherwise known as Mr. Lyan. Mr. Lyan's reputation precedes him, given the success of his previous London ventures, which have earned him numerous awards.
Within London's prestigious cocktail scene, he is considered something of a celebrity. Seed Library lives up to any expectations you might have from the fabulous Mr. Lyan. It boasts a relaxed, uber-cool 1970s-style living room ambiance, with low lighting and a warm color palette that creates a sincerely welcoming space.
Price range: $$$
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16. La Magritte Bar & Terrace at the Beaumont Hotel
© The Beaumont Hotel
Cuban cigars, 20th-century paintings, and opulence to boot, Le Margritte at The Beaumont Hotel welcomes you to art-deco glamour at its finest. American whiskeys and bourbons are the specialty here, and the stylish bartenders are more than happy to help you navigate your way through the impressive list on offer.
The classic Old Fashioned at Le Margritte is, as you could have guessed, one of London's best, with a perfect balance of rich bourbon and tangy bitters. If you're feeling adventurous, their own cocktail list is reasonably inventive for a bar that might have made Ernest Hemingway feel at home in the 1930s.
Price range: $$$
Address: The Beaumont, 8 Balderton St, Brown Hart Gardens, London W1K 6TF
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17. Ruby’s
© Ruby’s
Settled below an unassuming vintage cinema sign on Stoke Newington Road is Ruby's, a sweetheart of a cocktail bar that will make your heart swell with nostalgia for years gone by. In more recent years, Ruby's has expanded into what was a Chinese takeaway next door, and it is now Ruby's bar and lounge.
Stick around in the original cocktail bar for their award-winning, seasonal cocktail menu and live jazz that echoes a 1950s Parisian hideout. Head next door to the lounge on the weekends for a slightly livelier affair, with music and dancing until the early hours of the morning.
Price range: $$
18. Baccarat Bar at Harrods
© Harrods
Baccarat Bar belongs to the age-old, traditional glamour of Harrods, London’s most iconic department store, while echoing the renowned elegance of the French crystal brand. French-inspired interiors, exhibiting that signature red, echo the renowned elegance of the French crystal brand that lends Baccarat its name.
The walls are lined with illustrations, and the short cocktail menu is inspired by the marvel of light deflecting through crystal, assuring that an experience at Baccarat Bar is sure to be a feast for the eyes as well as the taste buds. Amongst the sixteen carefully refined cocktails on the menu, expect to find what might look a little something like a classic cocktail… just unlike what you’ve seen it done before.
Price range: $$$
Address: 87-135 Brompton Rd, London SW1X 7XL
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19. The Karaoke Hole
© The Karaoke Hole
The Karaoke Hole in Dalston needs no introduction amongst London’s LGBTQ+ community, having been labelled the ‘bratty little sister’ of East London’s beloved ‘Dalston Superstore.’ The glitzy basement drag bar’s playful cocktail menu features recognizable tipples dressed up like the striking Queens found performing.
The Amaretto Sour dons sequined flares, renamed ‘Dancing Queen,’ and promises you ‘the time of your life,’ while the Aperol Spitz puts on something a little risqué to give you an Aperol Spritz-tease. While the cocktails are a sure-fire hit, it’s the entertainment that really gets people through the door on a Friday night. Late-night karaoke sessions hosted by east London’s finest drag stars guarantee a night full of mischief.
Price Range: $$
Address: 95 Kingsland High St, London E8 2PB
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20. Dalston Superstore
© Dalston superstore
We couldn't very well mention The Karaoke Hole without an affirming nod toward the establishment that paved its way: the glamorous big sister to trump all big sisters. Dalston Superstore is the long-standing Queen of the LGBTQ+ scene amongst London’s nightlife. By day, it's a casual, friendly hangout with the occasional queer art exhibition.
Come nightfall, the bar is alive with the sound of music playing and people dancing, resident and guest DJs respectively keeping people on their feet. The drinks menu is humble, with seven craft beers and the occasional cocktail to pick from, but when the entertainment lineup is as good as it is here, that’s more than enough to keep you going long into the night.
Price Range: $$
Address: 117 Kingsland High St, London E8 2PB
21. The Hawley Arms
© The Hawley Arms
The Hawley Arms is a quirky, quintessentially English pub conveniently located just off the Camden Lock. While it's known amongst locals for its friendly atmosphere and frequent live music, renowned regulars such as Noel Fielding and Amy Winehouse put this otherwise ordinary boozer on the map as Camden’s hottest jaunt for celeb-spotting.
The food and drinks are everything you can expect from a traditional English pub: consistent, unpretentious, and hearty. However, a special mention goes to The Hawley Arms for including Vegan and Vegetarian options. Hop down on the first Monday of the month for some live music, or keep your eyes peeled for one of their infamous secret gigs that might pop up.
Price Range: $$
Address: 2 Castlehaven Rd, London NW1 8QU
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22. The Shacklewell Arms
© The Shacklewell Arms
With the location split into three separate spaces, you can really take your pick when it comes to the atmosphere. One-third cozy, traditional English boozer, one-third stage and dance floor for live music and endless other possibilities, and one-third vintage Brazilian kiosk that caters perfectly to Dalston’s hip and trendy clientele.
One side of the pub welcomes nightly live music performances and a resident DJ on weekends, ensuring the popular pub maintains its lively atmosphere. Whether you’re after a quiet after-work pint or a riotous night of rock’n’roll, The Shacklewell Arms has got you covered.
Price Range: $$
Address: 71 Shacklewell Ln, London E8 2EB
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23. Disrepute
© Disrepute
It doesn't get much more exclusive than Disrepute, a hidden, members-only jaunt situated under Kingly Court. The vaulted ceilings and velvet upholstery exude vintage charm, while the low lighting creates a certain tenderness throughout.
If you’re lucky enough to pass by on a night when there are empty seats at the bar, you can enter without being a member—but come ready to surrender yourself to the ten delicious women who inspire the menu.
The venue, historically made famous by Christine Keeler—a showgirl embroiled in one of London’s most outrageous scandals—is honoring ten other showgirls, actresses, and businesswomen of years gone by in their original cocktails. An homage like this has never tasted so delicious.
Price Range: $$$
Address: 4 Kingly Ct, Carnaby, London W1F 9RR
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24. The Mayor of Scaredy Cat Town - The Breakfast Club
© Breakfast Club
Hidden behind the unassuming fridge door of Shoreditch’s ever-popular Breakfast Club is The Mayor of Scaredy Cat Town, a dimly lit basement bar fitting quite nicely into London’s growing scene of secret speakeasies.
When you arrive at The Breakfast Club, ask a member of staff to ‘see the mayor,’ and they’ll lead you away from the hustle and bustle of breakfast tables into a basement that will change the way you look at Smeg fridges forever.
It’s no surprise that the bottomless brunch is a huge highlight of the menu, offering two hours of unrestricted, unlimited prosecco, Sex on the Beach, and various other tipples, alongside one delicious brunch dish of your choice from upstairs.
Price Range: $$
Address: 12-16 Artillery Ln, London E1 7LS
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25. WC Wine and Charcuterie
© WC Bars
While wine and charcuterie are most certainly our favorite pairing with those initials, WC is also a clever nod to the venue’s former purpose: a public toilet. The tiled mosaics decorating the floors and walls exist as they would have over 100 years ago, while the original cubicle doors have been repurposed into tables, and the attendant's office makes up the framework for the bar as it is today.
You guessed it, charcuterie is revered here, and the grazing boards on offer are comprised of an impressive selection of meats and cheeses, while the limited drinks menu has everything you could need from a wine list.
There isn’t much left to the imagination in this eccentric little joint, meaning there are lots of conversation starters dotted about. It does leave one wondering—if these 19th-century walls could talk…
Price Range: $$
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26. The Painters Room at Claridge’s
© Claridge’s
The Painter’s Room at Claridge’s is one for the art deco lovers. This is the second featured bar from Claridge’s and another masterpiece from interiors genius Bryan O’Sullivan, whose style is inspired by classic French and Italian glamour from the 1940s. The Painter’s Room certainly exhibits the same elegance that O’Sullivan is becoming known for, while metro-like skylights give the décor a little Parisienne chic feel.
The menu is divided into four sections: Light, Interpretations, Complex, and Clean, each section exhibiting impressive yet unpretentious concoctions loosely based on classic cocktails. What’s really refreshing about the menu is that the Clean section is full of completely alcohol-free cocktails, meaning there really is something for everyone at The Painter’s Room.
Price Range: $$$$
Address: Claridge's, Brook St, London W1K 4HR
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