If you’re planning on being out and about in London, you’re probably going to need somewhere for a pitstop – a little wine, perhaps a restorative cocktail, and definitely a reviving small plate (or two) to keep you going. But in a city that has a bar on every corner, how do you know which ones are any good? Fortunately, we’ve curated this list of the spots we turn to time and again for you to return to across North, South, East, West and Central London, split into some very important categories:
- The Best Cocktail Bars In London (So You’re Never Far From A Good Martini)
- The Best Wine Bars In London, For Natural Wines, Fine Vintages & Everything In Between
- The Best Nice Bars In London, For When You’re Feeling Fancy
- The Best Bars For Evenings That Blend Into Late-Night Dance Parties
So whether you’re looking for a quick break in between shopping sprees, a big night out or somewhere to unwind over long evenings with friends, these are the best bars in London, according to Team Service95 (if you’re looking for our pub recs, head this way) – now, you’ll never be stuck for somewhere to go. Happy sipping...
The Best Cocktail Bars In London (So You’re Never Far From A Good Martini)
Whether you’re after a filthy martini or an inventive new concoction, these are the London cocktail bars to that deliver, every time – take a seat, put your trust in the (excellent) bartenders and enjoy...
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 Spy Bar, Embankment
The Setting: For its location alone (in the newly revamped five-but-in-reality-closer-to-fifteen-star hotel Raffles at The Owo), The Spy Bar was a high contender for our ‘best nice bars’ section (see below), but with its immaculate menu, we had to label it as one of London’s best cocktail bars. Make your way down to the basement and down a long corridor to an unassuming door – marked, simply, ‘007’ – behind which you’ll find a subterranean speakeasy in the apt location of rooms once used by MI5. The space is steeped in history, which is translated into one of the most well-thought-out menus we’ve seen. A night out to remember, guaranteed.
The Vibe: Truly refined, wonderfully secretive (no photos allowed!)
Go With: A history buff (with an excellent taste in drinks) – they’ll appreciate the microfine attention to detail.
Special Mention: The Vesper Martini – shaken, not stirred, of course.
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.
Experimental Cocktail Club, Chinatown
The Setting: If you’re in the mids of the tourist trap that is Leicester Square/Picadilly Circus/Seven Dials/The Bottom End Of Soho, you‘ll know how hard it is to find yourself a decent tipple – and an actually nice space to enjoy it in. Fortunately, ECC has never failed us yet. Slip in through the black door between Tianfu and Four Seasons and head up the stairs to a dimly lit oasis of fine flavours and great vibes.
The Vibe: A sexy speakeasy that nods to its Chinatown setting.
Go With: A hot date – you’ll have to lean in to hear one another (in a good way) and the lighting is super flattering.
Special Mention: You Make Miso Happy – not just a sensational pun, but a cocktail of bourbon, pineapple and miso that will, actually, make you very happy you chose it.
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.
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.
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The Best Wine Bars In London, For Natural Wines, Fine Vintages & Everything In Between
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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The Best Nice Bars In London, For When You’re Feeling Fancy
You know the kind of bar we mean: the sort that blends style and substance – think decadent interiors, gorgeous views and some seriously fine wine and spirit lists. The bar you’d head to for a special occasion, an emergency martini, or to impress someone with your knowledge of London’s finest drinking establishments...
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.
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.
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.
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!)
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?!
The Best Late-Night Bars For Evenings That Blend Into Dance Parties
Whether it’s a bar with a dedicated dance floor or one where the playlist is so good that you can’t help but sway while perched on your high stools, these are the London bars we turn to for immaculate vibes, later licenses and DJs playing the music we all want to hear...
Nine Lives, Bermondsey
The Setting: Usually, all fun things around Bermondsey happen in plain sight, under those famed railway arches or dotted around the markets that span everywhere from Maltby Street to Borough. But there’s one spot worth heading underground for: cocktail bar Nine Lives. The cocktails are great, the food is great (tacos are the ultimate bar snack, if you ask us) and the playlist is sensation. It’s the kind of place you might think you’ll pop in for one or two, and end up staying all night because the atmosphere is so good.
The Vibe: Chill-but-nice – a subterranean haven of flavour.
Go With: A group who knows how to have a good time.
Special Mention: The cocktails, of course. Try the Misurtado – a moreish, sour-in-a-good-way blend of cachaca and homemade limeade.
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.
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.
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...
