The Best Bars In London, Organised By Area 

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 a quick break in between shopping sprees, big nights out or long evenings unwinding with friends, these are Team Service95’s favourite bars in London, organised by area – so you’ll never be stuck for where to go...

The Best Bars In Central London

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.

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...

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.

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 Bars In North London

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.

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.

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!

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.

The Best Bars In South London

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, wood finishes and cosy blankets to keep you warm. There’s also a killer snack menu, focusing on cheese, charcuterie and fish from local producers.

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 it’s also featured in the upcoming Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield movie We Live In Time, so soon it’ll be impossible to get a table.

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 martinis – there’s always a special on, and it’s always delicious.

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.

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 Bars In East London

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). Oh, and there’s burrata and bagels on offer, too.

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.

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.

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.

The Best Bars In West London

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.

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. 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.

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...

Olivia McCrea-Hedley is Copy & Production Editor at Service95