Where To Go For A Drink In London When The Sun Is Shining (Plus More Of Our Favourite Wine & Cocktail Bars In The City) 

It’s official: summer is well and truly underway in London, so you’re probably looking for somewhere to head for a celebratory drink – a little wine, perhaps a restorative cocktail, and definitely a reviving small plate (or two). But in a city where everyone rushes to a beer garden the minute the sun comes out, how do you know where to go?

Fortunately, we’ve curated this list of the spots we turn to time and again – from rooftop bars and terraces to enjoy the sun, to the best wine and cocktail bars in the rest of the city that are great in any weather...

The Best Rooftop Bars & Outdoor Spaces In London

Often, you end up trading bars that serve up a great drink for ones with outdoor space. Not on our watch – from rooftops and terraces to bars with tables spilling out onto the street, these are the spots where you can have the best of both worlds...

Flute at The Broadwick, Soho

The Setting: Is the Broadwick hotel the most beautiful spot in Central London? Quite possibly. It’s kitsch central: pops of pink and pattern everywhere, with rich drapery, killer lighting and decadent mirrors – it’s begging to be photographed. But it’s far from style over substance, as you’ll find with its rooftop bar, Flute. Inside, the curved bar is a decadent spot to perch at to see and be seen, while outdoors the wraparound terrace offers cosy nooks for clandestine meetings and views of the great London landmarks – with a killer drinks list to keep you going. Out late? Make this your final stop, with DJs on every evening from Wednesday through Saturday to keep the night going.

The Vibe: Like your imaginary rich aunt’s parlour room, in the best way.

Go With: Anyone you want to impress, from your mum in the afternoons to a hot date after dark.

Special Mention: It’s got to be their Champagne & Bump combo – a glass of Billecart-Salmon Blanc de Blancs with a scoop of caviar. So chic.

Special Mention: The signature Kasonist cocktail, a bold mix of Grey Goose Vodka, Greek wine and watermelon.

Gothic Bar, King’s Cross

The Setting: On that strange stretch of road between Euston and King’s Cross lies what we can honestly say is one of the best bars in the city. The Gothic Bar, leading into the Midland Grand Dining Room (more on that here) inside the iconic St Pancras Renaissance Hotel. The bar itself is unlike anywhere else you’ll find in the city: as Gothic as the name suggests, with intricately patterned high ceilings and church-like windows that will leave you staring around the room in awe. If you can bear to drag yourself away from the interiors, there’s also a great courtyard outside – full of tables where you can sit and enjoy one of the best martinis in the city.

The Vibe: Style and substance, personified.

Go With: Somebody who likes the finer things in life (and will appreciate a menu of eau de vie)

Special Mention: We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again – the Eau De Martini. A very generous serve tailored to your tastes, presented in a little carafe on ice, so as top up your glass, each sip remains perfectly chilled. 

Frank’s Cafe, Peckham

The Setting: Yes, we’re sending you to perhaps London’s most famous car park for the best sunset view in the city. No, it’s not fancy (lots of long tables on a former car park roof in Southeast London), but the vibes are immaculate and the menu is surprisingly great. Or not, actually, considering this local legend is owned by Mike Davies, the man behind the celebrated Camberwell Arms pub down the road (known for its culinary delights). Head on up there from May to September for everything from morning brunch to sunset aperitivos, with the uninterrupted London skyline providing the perfect backdrop.

The Vibe: Chilled rooftop joy.

Go With: As many mates as you can gather, to fill up one of the long picnic tables.

Special Mention: It’s not alcoholic, but the fresh lemonade is so good it’s worth a shout. Then there’s the house cocktails – a sweet-yet-sharp Caprioska or a Rum N’ Ginger will liven up your evening (head up there before 5pm Wednesday to Friday for £5 drinks specials!).

Yasmin, Soho

The Setting: Just steps away from Picadilly Circus (AKA the busiest place on Earth), lies Yasmín, an actual rooftop oasis – and we don’t say that lightly. The design? Gorgeous (very Soho House, without the pricey membership). The food? Delicious Istanbul-inspired dishes. And the drinks? A menu of playful concoctions and forever classics that delivers, every time. Find a spot on the squishy sofa seats under precious yellow striped awning outside (you can book!), order a couple of drinks and some za’atar spiced crisps to share and you’ll forget you’re in the middle of tourist central.

The Vibe: Intimate, chic and an absolute sun trap.

Go With: A cute group for a night of cocktails

Special Mention: The Cherry Pop cocktail – a refined, short spin on your childhood favourite. What’s not to love?

Lyaness, Southbank

The Setting: London’s Southbank. Right on the Thames, along the same stretch as the National Theatre and with views of St Paul’s, you’ll find the Sea Containers hotel. And inside? Lyaness: a serene blue space with huge windows (and, importantly, a sweeping terrace for the summer) overlooking the river. As you might have guessed from the name, it’s the flagship bar by the legendary mixologist Ryan Chetiyawardana – AKA Mr Lyan – so you can expect the some of the most inventive cocktails you’ve ever had. And don’t just take our word for it – the bar is the first in the world to receive 3 pins (the highest award) from The Pinnacle Guide (a global recognition system for the world’s best bars). Heading East? Check out sister bar Seed Library, over in Shoreditch (more on this below).

The Vibe: Laid-back decadence. (Relaxed thanks to the team’s ever-friendly vibe, elevated by the setting – and some of the best drinks you’ll ever taste).

Go With: A friend who’s really into their drinks – even the most seasoned mixologist will be impressed by a Mr Lyan menu.

Special Mention: The Unfiltered Martini. It’s one of the bar’s signature tipples, made in the signature (read: bonkers) Mr Lyan way – here, the martini is expressed through barley and... potato. Don’t knock it ’till you’ve tried it.

Fonda, Soho

The Setting: Getting a seat outdoors in Soho on a sunny day is like finding gold. So finding one you can book? Pure heaven. Say hello to the terrace at Fonda: a compact yet very cute suntrap hidden just off Regent Street, offering great vibes, great drinks and even greater food (OK, it’s technically a restaurant but you can book for drinks and snacks outdoors – and one should always be accompanied by the other). What else would you expect from the second outpost by Santiago Lastra, the chef behind Michelin-starred KOL in Marylebone? This contemporary Mexican spot naturally has an agave focused menu, with a whole section dedicated to Palomas. And if you’re after a crisp glass of cold wine, you’re in luck – the menu is packed with blends from lesser-known regions and grape varieties. Settle in for a long afternoon of drinks, plates of crudo and tostada, rounded off with some churros to finish.

The Vibe: Spicy food, spicy drinks and a delightfully spicy atmosphere.

Go With: A date you want to impress – Michelin-approved snacks and plenty of tequila makes for a visit to remember.

Special Mention: The Fonda twist on a classic Michelada cocktail: mezcal, tomato, chilli and beer. So refreshing. Though you also can’t go wrong with the Rhubarb & Gooseberry Paloma.

The Phene, Chelsea

The Setting: There are pub gardens, and then there are West London pub gardens. As you’ll see when you head into The Phene, a beautifully refined gastropub (it is Chelsea, after all) that still feels as welcoming as your average local – except this one’s just off the King’s Road. The garden is lined by a tall hedge, blocking out the rest of the world, so you’ll feel like you’re in a little city oasis as you take a seat at one of the tables and sit back with a spritz (there’s a whole menu to choose from). Feeling hungry? The menu’s great, too – all the pub classics you could ask for, ready to soak up those sunny-day pints.

The Vibe: A beer garden at its best.

Go With: A group of friends – there’s nobody better to while away a summer afternoon with.

Special Mention: If you’re not ordering a Pimm’s this summer, are you OK?

Kaso, Shoreditch

The Setting: High above Shoreditch High Street, atop the One Hundred Shoreditch hotel, you’ll find Kaso: a bar bringing vibes from the Mediterranean and Aegean to East London, which you’ll see in everything from the botanical-infused cocktail menu to a series of small plates by chef Ilknur Celik. The real selling point? The huge outdoor terrace (get there early on sunny days, it’s first-come, first-served) – on the weekends, while away an evening watching the sunset over cocktails, before heading inside to dance until the early hours.

The Vibe: Relaxed by day, wonderfully less so after dark.

Go With: Anyone who’ll appreciate the 9pm switch from quiet cocktails to all-out dance party.

Sol’s, Bayswater

The Setting: It’s not often you’ll find a cute wine bar-deli hybrid in west London – they’re more the stuff of south or east. But recently opened Sol’s, right on the fringes of Hyde Park, fills that void nicely. A delectable selection of fine goods is available during the day – the kind of stuff you’d buy to serve at your fanciest dinner party – and its proximity to the park means that, come summer, you can grab a selection of treats to go for the chicest picnic in town. Fancy sitting in? The dark wood and tiled interiors provide a picture-perfect setting for the fine wines and Iberian-inspired food by chef Harry Farrow – and when the warmer weather hits, the entire front of the space opens up for an indoor-outdoor feel (with a few extra tables outside). Expect everything from cheese and charcuterie to larger plates, such as roast lamb neck or hake. Trust us, you won’t go hungry.

The Vibe: West meets east (London, that is).

Go With: That friend who won’t leave West London – this is a refreshing change from most of the other bars in the area.

Special Mention: The Spanish and Portuguese wine selection: its crisp whites and zesty vinho verdes consistently deliver.

Dan’s, Dalston

The Setting: Just off Dalston’s Kingsland Road is this great wine bar, from a great wine store. Among the eclectic mix of vintage dining tables, chic dinner candles and, um Tim Tams, is an array of natural wines, served up from the team behind online vino shop Parched (formerly Natty Boy Wines). The menu is genius: split simply into colours and ‘funk’ levels, rather than grape varieties. For example, if you’re looking for an orange wine (or a ‘skins’), you can pick between an ‘easy skinsy’ (lighter, easier on the palette) or an ‘adv skinsy’ (packed with flavour, deliciously weird). While it’s not a huge or particularly picturesque outdoor area, the little tables for two lining the street outside are one of our favourite places to spend an evening, sipping on a chilled red with a plate of burrata and bagels.

The Vibe: Warm, welcoming and yet deeply cool.

Go With: A natural wine newbie – they’ll leave converted.

Special Mention: Always start with the fizz of the day. It’s never failed us yet.

Dynamic Vines, East Dulwich

The Setting: On the unassuming high street of Lordship Lane, snaking between the grand Dulwich Village and bustling Peckham Rye, a small (but mighty) wine bar has popped up. It’s a first from the UK’s leading importer of premium biodynamic and organic wines – bringing its vast collection of wines into a cool, cosy setting: all candelight, chic tiles and wood finishes. There’s also a killer snack menu, focusing on cheese, charcuterie and fish from local producers. In summer, the space almost doubles, with rows of tables on the pavement outdoors to while away a warm evening (potentially with a gelato bought from the counter next door).

The Vibe: Cool, calm and collected – let the warm, knowledgeable staff guide all of your drinks choices.

Go With: A date – the low lighting and small tables are perfect setting for cosy conversations.

Special Mention: The wine glasses. Seriously. They’re the most beautiful glasses you might ever drink from – you’ll return home and look at your own collection in disgust.

Lulu’s, Herne Hill

The Setting: South Londoners all know Llewelyn’s – the modern European restaurant that never fails, right by Herne Hill train station. Next door, you’ll find Lulu’s: a deli and coffee shop by day, a wine and small plate spot by night. If you take one piece of advice from us, make it this: go now. It’s already busy because it’s great, but since it was featured in the Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield-led We Live In Time, it’s more popular than ever. So arrive early to grab one of the coveted green picnic tables outdoor and enjoy watching the quiet bustle of the local square as you sip on a drink or two.

The Vibe: A local gem that never disappoints.

Go With: A group of friends, huddle up on the outdoor table and order every small plate on the menu.

Special Mention: The sparkling red. Whenever it’s on the menu, don’t bother with a glass – you will want to order the bottle.

Forza Wine, Peckham & National Theatre

The Setting: Is there a better view of London than from the terrace of this cocktail bar and restaurant in Peckham? No – especially when it’s accompanied by delicious self-described ‘Italian-ish’ sharing plates and snacks (think cauliflower fritti and gilt-head bream with salsa verde), an incredible wine list (with impressive by-the-glass selection) and of course, those cocktails. Now, there’s a second outpost by the National Theatre along the Southbank – similar vibes, more great rooftop views.

The Vibe: Always, always fun. Always, always delivers.

Go With: A group – so you can order ‘the whole menu’ (yes, that’s an official option) and wine by the litre.

Special Mention: Those views. Oh, and the Custardos – yes, an espresso-custard dessert-shot hybrid that really should be mandatory for anyone who visits.

The Best Cocktail Bars In London

Whether you’re after a classic martini or an inventive new concoction, these are the London cocktail bars to that deliver, every time...

Three Sheets, Dalston & Soho

The Setting: Kingsland Road, Dalston, is known for its vibrant character, for being ‘cool’, and for being a great night out. But it’s perhaps not where you’d expect to go for a night of refined cocktails. Unless you’ve been to Three Sheets, of course, where the drinks are nothing short of perfection. The space might be all pared-back minimalism, but it’s about what’s being served at the bar that counts. Sip your way through the menu, try their twists on all the classics and prepare to be revved up for your night to continue on at the late-night spots down the road (whether you intended it to or not). The Vennings brothers, behind the original spot, have opened another in the heart of Soho – it would be rude of us to not suggest you try there too, and order the mustard chips. Heaven!

The Vibe: No frills, no fuss, all quality.

Go With: Someone who’s always up for a good time.

Special Mention: The Raspberry Marg. A hint of raspberry, touch of rose and a flash of guajillo chilli elevates the classic marg to a whole new level.

Bar Lina, Soho & Shoreditch

The Setting: Beneath the mint green facade of the forever-packed Lina Stores deli in Soho, you’ll find a deliciously dark aperitivo spot. At Bar Lina, you’ll find a succinct (yet satisfying) menu of spuntini (snacks) to accompany its artfully curated cocktail menu: four kinds of negroni, three kinds of spritzes, a host of classics and some brand-new creations. Oh, and there’s now a second iteration beneath the Lina Stores restaurant in Shoreditch.

The Vibe: A sexy, dark speakeasy, perfect for clandestine meetings.

Go With: Someone you want to cosy up at the bar with.

Special Mention: The Balsamico negroni, made with balsamic vinegar vermouth and basil-infused Campari. A savoury sensation.

High Water, Dalston

The Setting: Right in the middle of the Dalston strip (stretching between Stoke Newington Road and Kingsland Road), High Water is a cosy, low-lit cocktail bar that feels like someone’s best-kept secret. With a carefully curated menu of inventive drinks and timeless classics, this unpretentious spot is all about top-notch mixology, without the fuss. Expect playful twists on cocktails you know and love, alongside unexpected combinations that pack a punch.

The Vibe: Intimate and effortlessly cool.

Go With: Someone you’re ready to spend hours with – it’s the kind of place where you can really settle in.

Special Mention: The Drunk Bunny – a smoky, spiced concoction with mezcal, chilli and coconut.

Seed Library, Shoreditch

The Setting: In the basement of One Hundred Shoreditch hotel, you’ll find Seed Library – one of two bars by renowned mixologist Mr Lyan in the capital (you’ll find the other, Lyaness, in the Sea Containers hotel near Blackfriars). And when you visit a Mr Lyan bar, one thing you’re guaranteed is a really excellent drink – with a twist. The setting is beautiful, the drinks are next-level and on the weekends, DJs soundtrack the space with vinyls for genuinely great vibes.

The Vibe: A retro-modern basement den, made for intimate gatherings over a cocktail (or five).

Go With: Someone who’s not afraid to get experimental with their drinks – expect some unusual ingredients, from ‘fluffy citrus’ to hot sauce and, um, sheep.

Special Mention: The cocktail line-up changes with the seasons, bu a few key concoctions are there for the long run – including the Beeswax Old Fashioned. In our opinion, it’s the best you’ll find in the city.

The Best Wine Bars In London

Looking for a really great natural wine? Or perhaps you’re after a classic punchy red. Either way, we’ve got your back – these are the wine bars to add to your list, all sourcing wines from across the globe, with expert staff who will happily guide you through the menu...

Top Cuvée, Highbury & Shoreditch

The Setting: Along Blackstock Road – the connector of Highbury Fields and Finsbury Park – you’ll find an array of shops, restaurants, cafes and, of course, Top Cuvée. The wine bar, restaurant and bottle shop is a local staple, offering its signature house wines and vermouths alongside a host of bottles from carefully selected producers – with a focus on natural and organic makers. Expect yummy small plates at the OG Highbury location, and a hot dog menu in Shoreditch.

The Vibe: Great wines, great vibes – without the snobbery.

Go With: Someone who’s ready to delve into the world of natural wines.

Special Mention: The House Vermouth and soda. A light, easy drinker to start the night off with – be sure to take a bottle home with you.

Bar Crispin, Soho

The Setting: Just off Carnaby Street, you’ll find an unassuming wine bar and restaurant that is a far cry from the neighbouring tourist-packed pubs and food courts. Bar Crispin – a sister spot to foodie favourites Crispin in Spitalfields and Bistro Freddie in Shoreditch – offers an extensive wine list, focusing on mainly organic and biodynamic winemakers across Europe, served alongside moreish ever-changing plates.

The Vibe: A small-plates, organic-wine haven in the heart of Soho.

Go With: Someone to sit under the outdoor canopy with and watch the world go by.

Special Mention: Order any sando they have on the menu, paired with the crispy polenta. Unreal.

Bottle + Rye, Brixton

The Setting: Everyone needs to spend time in the foodie mecca that is Brixton Market. It’s always buzzing and wonderfully chaotic, with cuisines from across the globe – what’s not to love? (Apart from the toilets, but we’ll skip over those...) You’re spoilt for choice, but one place that never fails to deliver is Bottle + Rye, a wine bar inspired by Parisian café culture. This refined little spot also focuses on minimal intervention wines, complemented by seasonal menus from changing resident chefs.

The Vibe: Genuinely, like you’re in a Parisian bistro; all high stools and menus written on chalkboards.

Go With: Someone you’d like to gaze longingly at over the candlelight.

Special Mention: Smiler Hour, AKA happy hour-and-a-half, from 5pm-6.30pm, Tuesday to Saturday. You get a skewer and a wine for a tenner – the perfect snack stop.

The Dreamery, Islington

The Setting: Just opposite new North London hotspot Goodbye Horses, from the same team, is an ice cream shop and wine bar. Yes, you read that right. Ice cream and wine. Has there ever been a dreamier combo? (Pun intended.) You can’t miss it – the kaleidoscopic graffiti ceiling shines through the windows of the simple, small, single-storey building, creating an otherworldly, inviting glow. The head chef of Goodbye Horses has designed the seasonal ice cream menu, all made in-house. Options currently on offer include Christmas Pudding and Gingerbread and Croissant and Custard, ready to be paired with a selection of wines chosen to work with these flavours – all by small, independent producers.

The Vibe: If Willy Wonka did ice cream (and wine).

Go With: Your most fun friend, for the most playful evening you’ll have had in a long time.

Special Mention: That Croissant and Custard ice cream!

Bruno, Victoria Park

The Setting: A teeny stable by Victoria Park plays home to possibly the cosiest little wine bar in East London. On warmer days, tables spill out onto the pavement – which is handy, as getting a spot can prove difficult. Why? Well, Bruno is the brainchild of Michael Sager, the man behind Hackney drinking staples Sager + Wilde and Equal Parts – so you know the wine and The Vibes are good. As for the snacks? Always different (thanks to pop-ups from a host of resident chefs), and always divine.

The Vibe: Like you’re at the home of your coolest friend.

Go With: Someone who’s willing to divide and conquer, so you can sample as much of the menu as possible.

Special Mention: The negronis. Yes, it’s a wine bar – but theirs are the perfect start (or end) to any night.

Binch, London Fields

The Setting: London Fields is pretty dreamy – home to Broadway Market, great book stores, Pophams bakery and arguably some of the city’s best restaurants. So, where better to sit back and relax after a day of strolling, shopping and being seen than at a wine bar? Enter Binch. Just minutes from the park, down by Violet Cakes (a necessary cupcake pitstop en route), the neighbourhood bar serves up French wines, British craft beers and some cracking French bar snacks – including lots of yummy things on toast. Expect adorably wonky shelves stacked with fine wines, wooden stools propped up at the counter and a vinyl soundtrack. Also note Godet – its new sister spot, a wine-focused pub over on Islington’s Essex Road.

The Vibe: So local and intimate, you feel like you’re at home – albeit probably a much cooler home than your own.

Go With: Your friends – it’s the perfect spot for a long catch-up over a bottle (or two).

Special Mention: Is it weird to say the window? Picture a dark, rainy evening: you head to Binch, grab a spot in the fogged-up window, and sit cosied up with a wine and a few small plates as you catch up with a friend, watching the world go by. One of our favourite seats in the city.

The Best-Looking Bars In London

Where to go for a great drink and a beautiful setting: think artful design, unusual spaces and great sound systems – the perfect backdrop for a special occasion...

The Library at The Hero, Maida Vale

The Setting: Take a stroll around Maida Vale, just off the famed Warwick Avenue, you’ll find come across a beautiful pub-with-a-difference: the newly opened The Hero. Downstairs is probably the chicest pub you’ll have seen in a while (likely since you’ve been to its sister pub The Pelican in Notting Hill). While everyone loves to stop for a drink in a great pub, we suggest heading upstairs to The Library: a cosy, book-lined bar (it’s in the name, after all) where you can enjoy a killer cocktail to the soundtrack of live music on weekday evenings and DJs on the weekends. It feels like a true hidden gem.

The Vibe: The kind of room you wish you had at home.

Go With: A date, for sure: cosy up in a corner by the bookshelves, order a couple of cocktails and gaze at one another in the flickering candlelight.

Special Mention: The cocktail menu is refreshingly concise: all the classics, done well, from daiquiris to old fashioneds and French 75s. (Though the skilled bar staff will whip up any cocktail you like!)

Space Talk, Farringdon

The Setting: A new addition to Farringdon’s bar scene, Space Talk is a sleek, futuristic spot for London’s music lovers. It’s a design-led, minimalist space: think warm lighting, sci-fi touches, and an atmosphere that’s buzzy without ever being too much. Boasting a bespoke, top-quality sound system, you can enjoy its expertly curated soundtrack alongside equally expertly crafted cocktails – with a side of sushi to wash it all down.

The Vibe: Like you’re in a musical spaceship.

Special Mention: The Fennel – a fresh, gin-based cocktail with eucalyptus. Light and seriously sip-able.

Naked & Famous, Notting Hill

The Setting: Underneath Zēphyr, the Greek restaurant du jour on Notthing Hill’s Portobello road, you’ll find late-night cocktail spot Naked & Famous. Expect soft orange lighting, sculptural burnt orange velvet sofas, curved chrome details and plenty of mirrors to clock your reflection when your date pops to the loo. Oh, and an excellent cocktail list and champagne selection. The perfect spot to unwind after dinner upstairs.

The Vibe: A sexy ’70s den.

Go With: A hot date.

Special Mention: The mezcal – the menu features more than 40 different kinds of agave-based spirits. Mezcalitas galore.

Blood Orange Bar, Belgravia

The Setting: What is it with us and underground bars? Here’s another – tucked away beneath west London gastro pub The Orange is Blood Orange Bar, a great little cocktail spot right between Victoria and Chelsea. Though this isn’t your average basement – this is all elegant oak panelling, with a beautiful mural along one wall. Head downstairs through the side door, order a cocktail and settle in one of the banquettes. With mood lighting setting the tone all day long, you’ll while away hours without even realising. So you might as well stay for a nightcap, too.

The Vibe: An elevated hideaway.

Go With: Someone you want to impress with your knowledge of hidden-away bars.

Special Mention: The martinis, served in gorgeous little glasses that belie just how lethal their contents are.

Ria’s, Notting Hill

The Setting: OK, this is technically a restaurant, but the wine selection at Ria’s is so good, it almost makes you overlook the golden, gooey deep-dish pizzas rolling out of the kitchen (almost, we’re not completely insane). The interiors? Precious – linen cafe curtains and colourful painted wood. It’s not grand, it’s not fancy, but the food and drink is seriously, seriously good. Which is a ideal, as you’ll need some carbs to mop up all that natural wine you’ll be drinking.

The Vibe: So. Much. Fun.

Go With: A big group, so you can split the full pies and try a bit of everything.

Special Mention: Aside from the wine, there’s a battered Mars Bar dessert. We hear that goes well with a chilled red...

Oriole, Covent Garden

The Setting: Hidden beneath the bustling streets of Covent Garden, Oriole is a glamorous subterranean escape that feels like stepping into another world. Known for its globally inspired cocktail menu, this award-winning bar pairs its drinks with an incredible Latin American-inspired food menu, all set to a backdrop of international live jazz. Perfect for eating and drinking late into the night, with the option to get up and dance to great music once the cocktails kick in.

The Vibe: A dash of vintage charm.

Go With: Your most fun colleagues (if you work in central London), for some refined after-work drinks that will take a seriously fun turn.

Special Mention: The Rio Verde – a super refreshing tequila-based cocktail, mixed with watermelon, peach and plenty of lemon. Can confirm: it’s far too easy to drink...

3’6, Piccadilly

The Setting: Bear with us when we say this – it’s in Fortnum & Mason. But unlike the ground floor, which is forever packed to the rafters with people eyeing up candied fruit and mulling over the endless types of tea, the 3’6 bar on the third floor is a hidden gem of tranquility. Expect fine spirits, artfully crafted cocktails and some seriously refined bar snacks (hello, venison scotch eggs).

The Vibe: Refined yet relaxed – think velvet sofas you can sink into with a cocktail.

Go With: Someone who’d appreciate a high-end pitstop (your parents, most likely).

Special Mention: Did we not already bring up the venison scotch eggs?!