Chinatown; if you haven't been, you simply don't know what you're missing. From all-you-can-eat buffets to street food staples so good that they demand a queue, Chinatown is one of the most unique plots in London. It's not just food and cutlure, though and we're here to help you drink your way around this eclectic area. From low-lit hangouts to bustling beer spots, here's the best bars near Chinatown.
Right in among it all, this Chinatown bar in London is fronting plenty of Japanese speakeasy vibes across the cool, dimly-lit space. Enjoy carefully crafted cocktails, sake, Japanese spirits and well-known classics while listening to DJs at this cool bolthole.
Nestled elegantly in The Hippodrome Casino, Permission Lounge is something of a throwback. With polished stone surfaces, velvet-draped thresholds and low and inviting lighting, it's like stepping back to the roaring 20s.
The many drinks on offer are just as chic and sophisticated. Expect rare spirits, seasonal house infusions, worldly wines and a spectacular champagne list.
Popular with London's young and fun, Bar Rumba shows no signs of stopping. From some of the cheapest drinks deals in the biz through to a playlist of commercial and pop hits and a bustling vibe, it's looking like a very late and deliciously boozy one here.
When it comes to lively pubs in the West End, Waxy O'Connors stands in good stead. Not only one of the best Irish pub names in the city with Guinness practically coming out of their ears, Waxy's is also home to creative interiors; from intricate woodwork to towering trees and nooks aplenty. Otherwise, head to their little sister pub.
A secret bar in Chinatown that can be found directly in the heart of the action, Opium stands in good stead as one of the best places to drink. From a roster of Asian-inspired cocktails down to a mouthwatering selection of dumplings and dim, this is a hidden gem not to be missed.
Touting a whole load of character is The Cocktail Club Shaftesbury Avenue, which is adorned with British Navy-style pin-ups and skulls and crossbones. As for drinks? They have a crackin' selection of lip-smacking cocktails.
In the heart of the West End, U9 packs in nine space-age karaoke rooms and a showstopping cocktail bar into its cosmic playground. With rooms channelling the dwarf planet Pluto through to the gas giant Jupiter, there's somewhere for an intimate serenade or an epic performance for all your pals.
As you leaf through the epic 450,000-strong song library, there's all kinds of precision engineered cocktails to relax the vocal chords. Post-show refreshments are waiting in the form of Japanese small plates, skewers and sharing platters.
Just off Gerrard Street, Experimental Cocktail Club is one of the area's most distinctive late-night spots, hidden behind an unmarked door and spread across two plush, low-lit floors. Recently redesigned by Dorothée Meilichzon, the interiors channel Chinatown through dragon-scale textures, bamboo details and deep violet tones.
The drinks list is just as considered, spanning classics and house signatures like the Old Cuban (rum, mint, lime and Champagne) or the miso-laced bourbon serve, You Make Miso Happy. Music runs from early evening disco and ambient grooves through to DJ-led house and amapiano sets on weekends, making it an ideal post-dinner destination that keeps going well into the night.
Located over on Soho's famous Greek Street, Simmons is the kitschy-cool bar that slings out a mega selection of boozy beverages. Even better? It boasts a mega happy hour every day from 3pm to 8pm, so you can save on the pennies while you sip. Thanks to its location, it's perf for a post-Chinatown tipple.
Century is a member's club that's found not far from Chinatown, one which is hidden behind a modest front door on Shaftesbury Avenue. Here, you'll find Soho's largest rooftop terrace, private dinner and more across the suave setting.
