Bars in Central London

Positively brimming with atmosphere every day of the week, visitors from across the globe continue to flock for a night out in central London in their droves. And who can blame them? Piled high with cool cocktail bars, elusive speakeasies, bars with views and late night dancing joints, there's never a shortage of things to do here. Our list of the best bars in central London is as follows...

Last edited by Kiera Chapman

Last updated on 18th April 2024




The Studio @ London Cocktail Club Oxford Circus

An effortlessly cool space offering a unique concept near Oxford Circus, The Studio is a must see. Guests slot in to cosy black booths and sip away at Vetel One vodka cocktails, before heading over to explore the inbuilt recording studio. Once inside you'll find DJ decks and karaoke facilities, and you're free to work your magic to the adoring crowd in attendance. DJ sounding a bit… flat? No worries, just take off your Skullcandy headphones and have a chat with your pals instead.

The Rabbit Hole

You know us - we love a quirky bar. And The Rabbit Hole? It's exactly what the (boozy) doctor ordered. Alongside the menus that double as interactive board games and the slick, intriguing interiors, there's an extensive selection of curious cocktails to get stuck into.

Core Bar, London

Located round the corner from St Paul's is Core; a fun-loving, fresh hangout where you can eat, drink and dance your way through to the early hours. Sup on one of their truly unique cocktails, enjoy an expertly made coffee or craft beer and survey a strong menu filled with lighter snacks and wholesome feasts alike. Available to hire at the weekends, Core is perfect for celebrating that special occasion.

Amelie's Wine House

Ready for a dreamy date night destination in London? Decked out with rustic decor, Amelie's Wine House is a fantastic spot. The venue comes complete with red, white and rose wine, alongside an array of nibbles - think sumptuous cheese boards and juicy olives.

Thirst Soho

Stupid Hour and 1 other offer

Make Thirst your watering hole for an after-work tipple or night out and you won't regret it. This glamourous venue is spread over two floors, with a bright and airy bar upstairs, perfect for people watching with a cosmopolitan in hand, and a dark and intimate basement bar downstairs. Head there if you're looking to dance the night away to the hottest tuns, spun by top DJs, or are keen to get cosy in a leather booth. 

The Escapologist

Happy Hour and 2 other offers

Based on the HQ of the secret society that ran Victorian London, The Escapologist is simply a fascinating place to grab a drink in Covent Garden. It takes the form of a 'modern-day Victorian men's club / Masonic Lodge', and is based on the exploits of the infamous Baron. Beautifully designed, serving fun yet refined cocktails and cheese-drenched pizzas, The Escapologist is a cracking themed bar perfect for after-work drinks and late-night parties alike.

Lucky Voice Soho

Looking for a bar in Soho where the drinks are delicious and the energy is on high? Then it looks as though Lucky Voice could be your guide. One of the best karaoke bars in the city thanks to their unrivalled private booths, waitress service and gleaming playlist, grab the mic and belt one out at this unique London bar. 

Burlock

Ready to Rum-bowl - £60 and 5 other offers

Taking inspiration from the 1920s Havana heydays, Burlock is a cavernous rum bar with a mighty selection of over 200 bottles of the spirit to its name. Dabble in a couple of cocktails complemented by something from the authentic menus of Cuban and Caribbean food - a continuous happy hour offers great deals from open 'til close and there's even a Havana-styled barber shop that doubles as a secretive drinking den to discover.

Be At One Covent Garden Russell Street

Fancy Extra Long Happy Hour? (Requires an app Download) and 1 other offer

Be At One ticks all the boxes for a feel-good party venue. Cracking on with daily happy hours from 4.30pm, the atmosphere builds early as the crowd polish off a couple of Aperol Spritz and Bangkok Garden Party cocktails. Bartenders are impossibly friendly, the atmosphere is intimate and the dance floor soon gathers momentum, with guilty pleasure party tunes playing until 3am.

The Admiralty

If there was a contest for "most central pub in the whole of London", it wouldn't even be close. The Admiralty lies 50 metres from the plaque that marks the city's centre point, within easy strolling distance of Big Ben, Downing Street and just a stone's throw from Nelson's Column. Head here after a long day exploring central London; The Admiralty specialises in beautifully made, melt-in-the-mouth pies and a crisp pint of Fuller's ale.

Cecilia's Wine House

Situated on Drury Lane, Cecilia's Wine House is a Covent Garden gem worth visiting. Not only does this glorious drinking den flaunt pretty interiors, including exposed brick walls and sultry corners, but it also has a range of bevvies up for grabs and a top-notch food menu.

Be At One Piccadilly Circus

Fancy Extra Long Happy Hour? (Requires an app Download) and 1 other offer

Close to Piccadilly Tube, and a stone throw away from the bustling streets of Oxford Circus, the Be At One Soho is fantastically placed for Central London clubs and bars. Start off your night here and pick whether to stay with the wild crowd on at this party bar all night, or head to Leicester Square for the cool London nightclubs and bars there.

Be At One Oxford Street

Fancy Extra Long Happy Hour? (Requires an app Download) and 1 other offer

Central London is lively, stunning and quite frankly - thirsty work. Just a stone's throw from Oxford Circus, Be At One Wimpole Street offers a fun retreat from the busiest street in London, serving up spectacular cocktails with buckets of enthusiasm. Good for a cheeky tipple after work and an ideal spot for welcoming in the good times over the weekend, Be At One Wimpole Street is one of the best bars in Central London. 

The Piano Works West End

Happy Hour and 1 other offer

From the team that brought you The Piano Works, The House of Song presents Studio 88. Two piano vocalists and accompanying musicians take to the stage to play songs that are requested by you, the audience. Enjoy usherette served California Cones that offer a fresh take on social dining along with a creative selection of cocktails including their very own Autograph collection.

 

Bourne & Hollingsworth Bar

In the bustling cultural hub of Central London, you'll stumble upon this hedonistic haunt promising a good night. Bourne & Hollingsworth Bar is noticeable from the onset, thanks to an 'oil painting' cast upon its exterior of people enjoying a life of leisure. Head on down into its basement to uncover DJs playing until late, along with red booths, intimately lit tables and a bespoke cocktail menu featuring tea-infused gin. 

Simmons Tower Bridge

Margarita Mondays! and 3 other offers

Found just moments from Tower Bridge, Simmons is a small but perfectly formed hangout filled with quirky interiors, cheap drinks and a friendly spirit. If you're looking out for those pennies, come between 4 and 9pm on weekdays, when you can get heavily discounted drinks as part of their happy hour. The venue opens until 1am and offers a lively party atmosphere if you're coming at the weekends.

Swift Soho

Swift is a new cocktail bar in North London that's forever changed the way we think of a 'quick drink'. With years of flairing under their belts, and an eye for infusing different flavours together, the master mixologists offer a stunning range of crafted cocktails. And better still, the venue's mantra of casual cocktails drinks means that each beverage is served with the usual long wait. 

Be At One Covent Garden Lyceum

Fancy Extra Long Happy Hour? (Requires an app Download) and 1 other offer

Canoodle down to Covent Garden for a bar in Central London that's brimming with fun-time attitudes and a gnarly happy hour. Not only boasting an extensive cocktail menu alongside fantastic 2-4-1 drinks deals, Be At One in Covent Garden's Lyceum is a treasure of DJing and rampant bar staff.

The Fable

Holborn's The Fable is a central London bar brimming with character. With an inventive, innovative and enchanting decor running through the venue, the creative menu and cocktail list is equally as quirky. There's a selection of tasty grub and really delectable cocktails and wines to sample, and with a whole host of functions like regular cookery classes, mixology masterclasses and late night supper clubs, there's every reason to swing by no what what time of day you are in town.

Quaglino's

Not only does Quaglino's put on a incredible array of European inspired cuisines mixed with Middle Eastern flavours, but it's host to one of the City's most opulent bars. Stocked with all manner of potent liquors, the talented bartenders will see you through your spirit cravings with their list of crafty concoctions so all you need to do is perch at the art-deco styled bar and take in the decadent surroundings. 

Prelude By Oriole

Giving us just a taste of things to come at their permanent reopening in late 2024, Prelude By Oriole is a Covent Garden pop-up oozing speakeasy vibes. They've got free live piano performances every night of the week, as well as a tasty selection Of Nikkei-style small plates like beef tartare, raw scallops with kiwi and chickpea chips in aioli. The drinks are pretty special here too, with Insta-worthy cocktails like the fruity Saraburi Punch up for grabs.

Albert's Schloss London

Hop off the tube at Leicester Square and make your way to the high-energy entertainment bar that is Albert's Schloss London. Decked out with wooden panelling and stacked log fires, the space is reminiscent of a cosy Alpine retreat with way more party vibes. Here you can tuck into Bavarian fare suck as gooey fondue and scrumptious schnitzels as well as bier imported from across the world.