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 updated on 4th April 2019
All Bar One is a classic London spot, and perfect for a stop after shopping. Head to the classic venue to try European plates such as salt and pepper calamari, and patatas bravas, along with delicious cocktails and wine.
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.
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 unrivaled private booths, waitress service and gleaming playlist, grab the mic and belt one out at this unique Central London bar.
Moments from Holborn, Tropicana Beach Club is the hottest new bar in Central. With more than 50 types of cocktails, a huge selection of rums and plenty of fun and games, the bar and nightclub is perfect for a quick dinner or a night of dancing away. Hire a private cabana, get down on the lagoon-style dancefloor or try your hand at surfboard limbo.
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 Bloomsbury Club Bar is an utterly charming bar that sits pretty in the city. Step inside and you'll be greeted by a breathtakingly lavish interior - the perfect blend between classic sophistication and contemporary style. To round off the enviable location and stunning decor, The Bloomsbury Club Baroffers up a truly exceptional selection of wines alongside a mouth-watering menu of classic British dishes.
Just steps away from the National Gallery, Chinatown, and Piccadilly Circus is All Bar One Leicester Square. If you're looking for a fun bar in Central London, serving up British pub food classics, cocktails and wine, you've found the right place.
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.
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.
Reverend JW Simpsons is a cosy little cocktail bar in Fitzrovia with its roots cemented firmly in the area's history. The venue is named after a Fitzrovia-based priest who lived within the same walls of the bar. With mementoes and subtle references to the old priests scattered throughout, the cocktail bar features a line-up of inventive concoctions, all created by the team of expert mixologists behind the bar.
A cross between a gastro pub and a boutique events space, The Driver is a Kings Cross favourite for relaxed drinks, after work socialising and pub-style dinners. There's plenty of hire options available should you wish to host a private party, celebration of corporate event here as The Driver can cater to whatever fits your needs.
Dip below the arches of Charing Cross to stumble across this snug wine bar with bags of charm. Filled out with all sorts of antiques and quirky knick-knacks, Champagne Charlie's also features a choice of intimate dining rooms ready for up to 45 diners. British classics are on the menu, and there's a rich range of wines to cater for all tastes.
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.
Purl in Mayfair is a secretive gem of a cocktail bar, shaking up some of the best cocktails in Central London. The venue is small and unassuming, and booking ahead is essential, but once inside you're transported back into a world of great drinks, top bartenders and a fabulous, welcoming atmosphere.
Located in the heart of the West End The Roxy is perfect for all your night out needs, from classy cocktail lounge in the early evening to party-pad and nightclub come later on. Taking inspiration from New York, the bar has exposed brick work, plush leather booths and bare bulbs hanging down for a truly metropolitan feel.
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.
68 & Boston is the latest drinking destination to arrive on Soho's thriving Greek Street. Run by three richly experienced wine and cocktail bar experts, the venue serves £20 bottles of wine sourced from right across the globe. Bring your closest mates and enjoy a glass or two of something different, or head upstairs to the 'Boston' lounge if it's late-night cocktails you're after.
Go for a stroll along the South Bank? Then make sure you stop off at the charming Benugo Bar and Kitchen in the BFI building; with bookcases crammed with books and cosy armchairs, the venue has a Gentleman's Lounge feel. Grab an Old Fashioned and settle into a seat for an afternoon well spent.
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.
Simmons always promises a memorable night out in Central London. Head down to this eccentric spot and you'll be greeted by a charming space, decked out with an assortment of quirky ornamentation - it probably looks a bit like your nana's house. But unlike her gaff, Simmons boasts an awesome late night atmosphere with tasty tipples and great music.
Based just seconds from the water's edge, Mulberry Bush is a trusty gastropub popular with locals and visitors alike. Comfortably kitted out with inviting sofas and a selection of bookable private spaces, you can expect a lineup of stellar beers alongside a rotating guest ales list from this popular Young's pub.
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.
Discover this hidden den beneath a restaurant on Drury Lane and have your pints, your tasty tipples and your masters of comic performance all in one place. Big names including Jason Manford and Jack Whitehall have tickled funny bones in this very bar so expect top notch jokes and the greatest of gags in Covent Garden's hidden jewel.
Looking for something a little different in Central London? Look no further than Aviary Bar. Featuring imaginative decor and a great selection of drinks, this is a Central London bar with just the right amount of quirk. With a great atmosphere, a late license and even a fish tank, if you're in the Oxford Circus area then this one is definitely worth a look.
Drinks in Central London aren't hard to come by, but it's all about picking the right spot for you. If you're heading to Holborn this evening and chasing down a top selection of affordable drinks, then why not try Balls Brothers Shoe Lane on for size? Classic and contemporary with an affordable stance, this charming haunt is just the place to grab a bevvie in the evening.
For a bar in Central London with a unique twist, head to Nordic Bar which celebrates all food, drink and party vibes hailing from Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland and Iceland. Just a stone's throw from Oxford Street, this party bar boasts ping pong tables, shot wheels and fun DJs spinning the freshest tunes until the early hours of the morning.
This prim and proper little palace is the sweetest of retreats for your sipping slurping noshing needs. Taking on the form of sophisticated cafe, with quaint floral decor, subtle hues and vases of flowers sprinkled throughout, this bar is an adorable escape in the centre of the buzzing Covent Garden. With cutesie cocktails such as Lavender Love, containing lavender syrup, peach puree and Absolut citron, indulge in a luscious libation in the cutest of cubby holes.
Hit this hot spot in Soho for a bit of late night decadence. Gobble down a delicious dessert plate and taste some of the best cocktail concoctions around in a speakeasy bar with the plushest of leather armchairs, polished wooden surfaces and a Parisian lick to the interior that will have you chilled out and indulged.
Looking for a new West End spot? Lucky Voice just might be your new favourite. Offering you a perfect hideaway from the bustle of London life, this Holborn gem is all about the music. Bag yourself a karaoke room and prepare to belt out some hits, with shots, cocktails and more to keep you refreshed.
Whether you're looking to have an after-work drink, client meeting or date night, Anthracite's dark interiors and menu of unique martini creations make it one of the coolest bars the City has to offer. Stop by the King's Cross haunt and experience their menu of curated martinis, gin, vodka and more.
@ Gaucho Piccadilly on Sun, 5th May 2019 @ multiple start times (see ticket info)
Head to Gaucho in Mayfair for a Cinco de Mayo celebration that's sure to give you non-stop positive vibes. Expect a stunning bar takeover from George Clooney's tequila brand Casamigos while tucking into delicious South American brunch dishes and a banging soundtrack of Latino beats.
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.
Basement bar and pub The Phoenix is bringing all sorts of fun to Central London with their huge range of activities. Head down for comedy from well-known stars, hilarious quiz nights and comfort food guaranteed to put a smile on your face.
A gangster's tequila paradise, the London Cocktail Club in Oxford Circus is a fantastic venue that's a great repose from the hustle and bustle of Oxford Street. Inspired by downtown LA, the venue is covered in graffiti, depicting gun-toting clown figures and cityscapres, whilst the staff wear bandanas and lumberjack shirts buttoned to the top.
Maintaining the same quality as its sister venues Dirty Martini Covent Garden and Bitter Sweet, Dirty Martini in Oxford Circus. An elegant interior, it's ideal for much needed after-work drinks, stylish late night drinks or pre-drinking before a big night out. A generous and popular happy hour, you definitely need to swing by.
Dirty Harry's is the latest cocktail bar to open in Soho. With Harry Honeys - the venue's resident dance troupe - turning heads on the stage, revellers can dance the night away thanks to the many cover bands and DJs that perform here. Perfect for anyone looking for a night out in London full of vibrant charm and energy, this Soho spot doesn't know how to disappoint.
Classy cocktails, a cool setting and a suggestive atmosphere, Salvatore at Playboy is quite the experience. Ran by Salvatore Calabrese, one of the finest mixologists in the world, it still maintains the classic Playboy Club charm of waitresses in traditional uniforms and fluffy tails, but in a new and modern setting.
Doused in creative mixology from some world class bartenders who know their bourbon from their whisky, Cartizze Bar is a luxuriant hideaway just off Bond Street. Crystal glassware hangs behind the bar, there's wooden panelling and chrome finishes to the bar with leather furnishings offering the perfect place to perch for some cocktail supping.
A hidden gem amongst the often crazed and crowded bars of Central London, Soho's Arts Theatre Club serves as a romantic relaxation destination with a little extra vintage flair. With luscious seats, sips, and sounds, this member-only speakeasy will knock the socks off of any date in true Prohibition-era grandeur.
Located in buzzy Covent Garden, Circus puts on all the glitz and glamour of a stellar show as they serve incredible entertainment alongside cocktails and Pan-Asian cuisine. The stylish venue has a lounge bar for sipping cocktails, or sit down in one of their themed rooms for the full dinner experience.
Wahaca may be one of the biggest eating out names in London thanks to their roaring Mexican plates, but did you know that their bars are something pretty special too? Brimming with Mezcal, Tequila and a whole host of cocktails, this contemporary haunt promises a little something for everyone in Central London.
No matter what you want from your Central London night out, The Albany can provide it. The corner spot in Fitzrovia is split between an upstairs, traditional pub which serves seasonal dishes, while downstairs a basement bar puts on DJ nights and live music.
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.
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.
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.
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.
