A potent potion that goes way back, absinthe is not for the faint-hearted. Brought to fame by Parisian artists and writers, the spirit has become commonplace in cocktail bars. From specialty tasting experiences to booze-laced afternoon teas with fountains of the stuff, here's our guide to the best absinthe bars in London.
Last updated on 1st December 2023
Through an unassuming green door and up a winding stairway is Opium. This hidden Chinatown gem is full of many surprises, including seasonal, chic cocktails that make it one of the best places to drink absinthe in London. Try the Ti Punch, made up of two types of rum, cherry liqueur, lime juice and absinthe mist.
Keep searching "where to drink absinthe near me"? Check out the East London basement bar Demon, Wise and Partners. The spirit's served using a traditional 19th century-style absinthe fountain in order to reach the optimum level of dilution, topped up with ice cold water and an optional sugar cube.
You'll find Baranis in a vaulted cellar along with one of the largest London absinthe bar stocks, plus pastis and a Provençal-themed cocktail menu. Be daring and try the Lady Killer, a potent blend of Pernod absinthe and Olmeca tequila, mixed with passion fruit puree, mint and fresh lime.
Absinthe drip, anyone? Located on bustling Old Street, Serata Hall is an iconic absinthe bar in London. The strong drink is slow-dripped from a fountain into a goblet, served with a spoon and sugar cube. Inventive cocktails include the Cray Cray, involving La Fée Absinthe Parisienne and crème de pêche.
Looking for an award-winning speakeasy to enjoy a quirky quaff? Hit up Nightjar in Carnaby, an atmospheric, Art Deco-inspired bar. The Soho location offers a one-of-a-kind absinthe afternoon tea poured from a fountain, and its Shoreditch sister boasts a large cabinet of the distilled spirit.
A busy bar on Old Compton Street featuring live piano music at the weekends, Swift Soho offers European aperitivo vibes with a creative cocktail collection. Make yourself comfortable on an Art Deco sofa and try the delicate, absinthe-laced Vignette, made up of gin, vermouth, St-Germain and celery.
Wondering where to buy absinthe in London? Head to Islington's Homeboy and enjoy an array of tipples. Reach for Skyes The Limit, featuring rhubarb, whisky and ginger ale. For something a little darker, try the Blackthorn No.2 laced with port and notes of blackcurrant.
The Last Tuesday Society's Absinthe Parlour is a must-visit, especially so you can try Devil's Botany, a London absinthe distilled in-house. Check out tasting classes and drink from a ginormous collection of the powerful liquid. There's a crazy cocktail list, too.
Inspired by The Café Royal Cocktail Book compiled in 1937, The Green Bar is a sleek, vibrant destination to try some extravagant tipples. Mirror the scholars who used to frequent the counter and experience absinthe tasting in London, while discovering the myth of its creation.
