London, being one of the biggest cities in the world, is home to a number of bars. Speakeasies, activity bars, pubs and live music venues dominate the nightlife scene, with many bars yet to be discovered and enjoyed by first-time tourists and locals alike. London just so happens to be home to some of the world’s best bars.
Secret cocktails and rooftop tipples: 7 of London’s best bars
7. Sky Garden
Known as London’s most premium lookout spot, and one of the best-known bars and restaurants in the city, Sky Garden’s rooftop hangout is truly a sight to behold. With large circular windows overlooking the entirety of London’s iconic skyscraper-filled cityscape, you can enjoy your favourite tipples and dishes with a backdrop of stunning views.
Live the high life (literally) at Sky Garden, located in the heart of London’s City district, where you can chat among friends, relax and unwind after work or mingle with some of London’s top bar connoisseurs. We can guarantee that any Londoner you ask for bar or restaurant recommendations will mention Sky Garden, or will certainly speak highly of it!
6. Sweeties Bar
Sweeties is the resident bar at one of London’s top hotels, The Standard. Inside this extravagant cocktail bar, you’ll find a trendy and modern vibe from day to night. The bar offers the best of both worlds, with a sit-down cocktail lounge combined with a bustling live music venue, with regular DJ and live music nights to satisfy those who are looking for a more electric night out. Sweeties’ signature cocktails easily rival those served at the most prestigious of cocktail lounges, we can say that for sure.
5. 42 Mayfair
Nestled inside Gymkhana, one of London’s most prestigious Indian restaurants – with 2 Michelin stars, may we add– 42 cocktail bar certainly knows how to transport you to a land of luxury. With a wide range of signature cocktails that are decorated with Indian flare and charm, 42 is the perfect low-key night out for those who want to taste and experience opulence. Located in the Mayfair district of London, which is an affluent suburb known for its Michelin-starred restaurants and bars, you certainly know you’re in for a real treat when you choose to dine and drink at 42 or Gymkhana.
4. The Little Scarlet Door
This bar’s name is slightly misleading, as the entrance features a large red door that’s certainly hard to miss, and you do not want to miss out on experiencing this bar. The Little Scarlet Door is styled like a loft-style apartment, so when you enter, it’s as though you’ve stepped into a house party, with games, food and drinks. You can find variations and incarnations of this bar across Soho, each with the same homely and welcoming house share vibe. It’s certainly one of the more unique bars in London, and one you won’t be able to stop raving about.
3. Cahoots Speakeasy
Speakeasies are always fun, and this 1940s style secret bar with three different variations is the best of the best. Transport back in time to the 40s, with appropriately-dressed bar staff, themed cocktails and decor and a vibe like no other. The front of Cahoots is unsuspecting, so as to keep up the pretence, but once inside, you’ll experience one of the best and most intriguing nights you’ve ever had.
2. Kioku Bar at OWO
A Japanese bar in the heart of the 5-star Raffles Hotel in Whitehall, Kioku certainly takes the idea of luxury and extravagance to the highest level. Here, you can expect to drink premium cocktails and Japanese sake, as well as dine on top-quality food in a small-capacity bar. Bringing authentic Japanese flair and methods to the streets of London, Kioku Bar is a trendy, upmarket and luxurious place to spend your time, whether with friends, work colleagues or by yourself.
1. The Connaught
A decorated regular on the prestigious World’s Top 50 Bars list, you know you’re in for nothing short of perfection when you dine and drink at The Connaught. Serving the highest quality signature and classic cocktails, along with a range of light bites and snacks, it’s an evening quite like no other that awaits you. The bar and hotel’s location in Mayfair is an indication of its luxury and lavishness, and its world-class service will let you live like a VIP. With expert and master mixologists hard at work, as well as an ambience and atmosphere like no other, there really is no better place for a cocktail in London.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lauren Coton
I love discovering and writing about new places which then get added to my now extensive travel list, but nowhere beats the comfort of my hometown Bristol or the sense of culture and community that my base of Cardiff exudes. That's why travel writing was a given for me.
