Best Cocktail Bars In London

Hidden in the depths of Smithfield Market, Oriole is a den of tropical libations and swinging live music. Inspired by the Pacific, drinks are served in stunning vessels (think shells and elephant-shaped mugs) and are mixed with everything from peanut butter through to banana loaf infusion.

Discretely hidden in the heart of China Town, Opium delivers seasonal Oriental themed cocktails, using ingredients sourced locally in Chinatown. Widely considered one of London's best bars (and arguably London's best Oriental cocktail bar), Opium is the perfect place for unique and stunning cocktails in a beautiful setting. 

Set in Shoreditch, Looking Glass Cocktail Club is not all it seems. Step in for stripped back interiors (think exposed brick, bare bulbs, and rickety tables), along with a classic cocktail list, then look even harder to find their secret room which hosts a regular line-up of cabaret and burlesque nights.

It would be impossible to cite the best cocktail bars in London without mentioning the famously elusive Nightjar Bar in Shoreditch and Soho. Candle-lit tables, experimental (and extremely creative) cocktails and a genuine speakeasy feel come as standard here.

If you like your London cocktail bars dark, moody and underground, then Demon, Wise & Partners is the place for you. The City bar has 'date night' stamped all over it, with dark leather booths, low-hanging lights, and drinks such as Naked in the Snow, a simple mix of whisky, homemade apple spiced tonic and soda.

Sure, it might be named after one cocktail, but this Old Street haunt is an incredible lair of crafted drinks. The work of a former Nightjar bartender, The Gibson creates some of the wackiest tipples in London - from dried worms to rare spirits. 

A stalwart on the Shoreditch drinking scene, Callooh Callay has been churning out award-winning drinks for more than 10 years. Split into two, the venue has a chilled, 70s-style seating downstairs, while upstairs, the secret Jub Jub room awaits.

Created by the successful group behind the Nightjar, Swift is a cocktail bar that's forever changed the way we think of a 'quick drink' between events. Using an arsenal of international spirits, fruits and spices, and promising a quick turn around for each drink, the expert team of mixologists serve both classic and inventive cocktails to its guests. 

Head to the tropics of North London where Laki Kane bring you vibrant interiors and exciting drinks. Eschewing refined sugar, their cocktails keep things fun and organic, while their upstairs Rum Club lets you try your hand at making your very own take on the spirit.

Hide Bar prides itself on the expression of mixology, taking the cocktail as an art form and looking into its history to develop their craft. You'll find an industrial styled space with a seated only policy making for an intimate cocktail lounge in London. If you fancy yourself as a bit of a cocktail connoisseur and like to dabble in fresh, unique tastes then Hide Bar is best. 

Mews Cocktail Bar have joined forces with drinks master Richard Woods to create a classy list that plays on classics. We recommend The Mayfair Tart, a seductive mix of vodka, fresh raspberries, ginger, honey and lime.

Offering bold and imaginative cocktails, cosy date night vibes and some of the friendliest service in town, Little Bat is an absolute must if you're looking for something special around Angel's Upper Street. A venture brought to London from the same team at Callooh Callay, expect Alice in Wonderland themed quirks and chilled out vibes from this welcoming new neighbourhood haunt.

Taking an underground former public conveniences and transforming it into a space of art deco cool and cocktail lounging, The Bermondsey Arts Club is as unique as they come. The bar is where the magic of mixology happens, with drinks created using ingredients from nearby Borough Markets for some extra zing.

With celeb mugshots, neon signs and bright pink decor, Tonight Josephine will grab you from the moment you descend into the basement. Along with gorgeous interiors, they also have a delicious selection of cocktails.

To wash your dinner down with cocktails in London, then Ochre is just the place. Head here to be treated to a lineup of British fare and seasonal tipples, all served up in the beautiful surrounds of this National Gallery restaurant.

Fronting laid-back interiors and Irish-inspired grub and bevvies, Homeboy Islington is sure to impress. Make your way inside, where you'll be met with exposed brick walls and cosy corners to catch up with pals over traditional whiskey-laced concoctions.

Owing to some of the most innovate mixology in the business, WM Barker & Co has done well to preserve its secretive nature being nestled under Bishopsgate. Their bar is well versed in the art of manipulating unusual ingredients to create drinks that are ultimately original and stylish. That paired with its old world style interiors makes this place one cool cocktail bar in London. 

The oldest bar on this list, the iconic Portobello Star has been open since a stonking 1740. And by god have they progressed with the times; delicious cocktails paired with homemade fare are the order of the day here. Gin lovers, this one is definitely for you.

Step back to the 1920s with this cocktail bar, hidden behind a plain black door. Once you've slammed the knocker, head in for a decadent watering hole filled with impressive features such as a giant block of ice from which cocktails are created, and red leather furnishings.

Super secret and only accessible through a fridge door (no, really) if you want to visit the Mayor of Scaredy Cat Town's basement cocktail bar, you're going to have to ask nicely. Head to The Breakfast Club in Shoreditch for a bite to eat beforehand - and if he lets you in - enjoy the Mayor's varied range of quirky and classic cocktails.

Celebrate 300 of the city's best bars at London Cocktail Week, where a £15 wrist band guarantees you unlimited £7 signature drinks. Think Latin flavours at Barrio and more across the most fun, swish drinking dens.

If you love all things whiskey, you might want to head below Blues Kitchen Shoreditch, where you'll find American bar snacks, a soundtrack by female-fronted RnB singers, and an amazing selection of whiskey-based cocktails.

Make your way to Knightsbridge and visit The Hari Hotel and Bar Terrace for some of the best cocktails around. Enjoy their extensive and creative cocktail menu from The British Bulldog with whiskey and an edible chocolate cigar, to a Cloud 9 with Champagne and cotton candy.

Chelsea Funhouse is something of a West London triple threat. Split over three floors, this place is home to an explorer-themed restaurant, late-night espresso martini lounge and an immersive 1940s cocktail experience. Weekends will never be the same again...

Eve has enough delicious cocktails to tempt, well, Eve in the Garden of Eden. A bar built on the ideas of indulgence and hedonism, come here for theatrical cocktails served in luxurious surroundings, and if you're peckish - it's part of the award-winning Frog.

One of the best bars in East London, The Natural Philosopher is a real eccentric on London's cocktail scene. Hidden behind a function Mac repairs shop, you'll find the bar fronting a unique array of sips made with herbal and foraged ingredients.

Barrio is a party group of bars that comes bursting with Latina energy. Shaking up exotic cocktails that go hard on the rum and tequila front, these neighbourhood joints blend Latin flair with fresh cooking and great music. Come for their renowned Amigo Hours, when cocktails are £5, bottled beers are £3 and there's a fiver off your bottle of wine. Try their Barrio Angel or Barrio Shoreditch branches for more! 

Looking for quirky cocktail bars in London? Evans & Peel Detective Agency sees you head behind a hidden door and descend into a secret Prohibition-style drinking den, where live jazz plays all around and cocktails are mixed up from bootlegged liquor.

Styled as a cosy cafe during the day and a bustling cocktail bar at night, Map Maison is a characterful, colourful spot that's always adapting and changing itself to suit the demands of East London's revellers. What this spot really excels at, however, is Japanese whisky, of which they have London's largest collection.

Situated in Covent Garden, The Wild Monkey is a top-notch shout when it comes to cocktail bars in the city. With pretty interiors and a focus on Monkey 47, the venue slings out the most divine drinks - think botanical gin tipples served in a stunning aesthetic.

Favouring the intense and the opulent; The Last Tuesday Society are all about celebrating the strange. In terms of cocktails, this means heady flavours like bitters, chocolate and orange peel. The basement bar is a fabulously shadowy hang out in which to enjoy some hedonistic treasures. Upstairs, a palace of intrigue awaits! 

Simmons boast some of the most quirky cocktail spots in London. Step inside to discover intimate spaces adorned with all sorts of unusual ornamentation... and the cocktails are equally eccentric. Have your long island iced tea served up in a teapot as you spend the night mingling with a crowd of partygoers. Try their Camden and Fitzrovia branches for more quirky cocktail cavorting.

With a roster of fabulous events and delicious cocktails, 100 Wardour St is a safe bet for cocktail bars in Soho. So, what's on the menu? Choose from a Splash It made up of whisky, apple juice, passionfruit puree and vanilla, or opt for a vodka-laced Floral fizz with lavender.

Taking its inspiration from the 1920s Havana heydays, Burlock features a selection of more than 200 different types of rum at its cosy set-up in the heart of Mayfair. The rum cocktails are matched by a selection of Cuban and Caribbean food to complete the experience, and the unique happy hour here runs from open until close - so there's no need to spend big while you're at it.

Tucked away amidst the stately grandeur of the London Edition Hotel is The Punch Room, an exclusive, reservations only drinking den. Come in and get cosy, the oak panelling and majestic sofas evoke a nineteenth century private club feel. A playlist of vintage soul and blues fills the room, while guests enjoy gin-infused punches laced with jasmine tea and oak moss.

What do you get when you combine gorgeously bright interiors with an original drinks list? Bourne and Hollingsworth in Fitzrovia, a quirky spot in Central London, specialises in all things quirky, with patched armchairs, colourful wallpaper and tipples that break the mould.

Head on over to Tequila Mockingbird in Covent Garden for some lip-smacking drinks. Whether you're craving a classic Aperol spritz or feeling fancy with a spiced clementine margarita, this quirky haunt won't fail to have you coming back for more.

Don't let this Farringdon gem's cool credentials fool you; along with being laid back, it's also one of the best cocktail bars in London. Themed around the 70s and 80s, Coin Laundry is filled with retro touches, including pinball machines and gorgeous tiling, but it's the rose negroni that gets our vote. 

London cocktail bars don't get quirkier than this. Hidden behind shutters is a secret prison, where bribery and contraband rule, Alcotraz is one hell of a drinking experience. You'll have to smuggle your favourite liquor past the guards and get into the hands of one of the other inmates, who can mix you up something grand. But don't, under any circumstances, get caught.

The illusive Moonshine Saloon is popping up for a few says a week to bring you a rootin tootin good time. Discover their secret bar for a night of cowboys, moonshine, cocktails and sheriffs breathing down your neck.

Come to The Cocktail Club to soak up the ambience and prepare to make some big decisions at the bar. Cocktails like the 'confessions of a cucumber salesman', 'Brixton riot' and 'smoking barrel' are every shade of delicious, each mixed with the style and substance that makes these bars such a fan favourite.

Perfect for anyone that's bored of brushing elbows and awkwardly bumping into people at packed out bars, The Basement Shoreditch is a venue that combines expertly-made cocktails with attentive hosting and an unbeatable music playlist. Head down, grab a hand-crafted cocktail and watch the hours float by at this fun Old Street spot.

Touting sultry jazz 1920s-inspired interiors and lip-smacking concoctions, Nightjar Carnaby is a top-notch venue if you're in need of tasty cocktails. Located on Kingly Court, this beautiful venue is the perfect stop-off to catch live entertainment from some of the best in the biz.

Boasting one of the best cocktail bars in London, Homeboy Embassy gardens is famous for its boozy tipples and refreshing pints. Sip away to the tune of live music and DJs, topped off by slick interiors and unrivalled Irish hospitality.

When it comes to London haunts, Purgatory Bar is at the top of our list. From the award-winning company, No Escape London, this lovely spot touts glorious Antoni Gaudi-inspired decor, alongside a gorgeous outdoor space for alfresco antics. Thirsty? Try out the cocktails.

Forget sneaking a little hip flask of something when times are hard, BYOC in Camden actively encourage you to bring your own alcohol in. The underground bar is themed around 1920s prohibition, with guests sitting around poker-style tables, in the middle of which is your expert mixologist.

Dirty Martini is a well-established name in the cocktail world. With a smattering of venues all over London, their mixologists have mastered a number of classic recipes and really let their creativity take control, producing an array of intriguing concoctions for adventurous revellers to enjoy. Try their Dirty Martini Bishopsgate and Dirty Martini St Pauls bars for more.

Don't be fooled by the name; Disrepute is one of London's best cocktail bars. The Soho basement bar has lived one hell of a life, including as the setting for the Profumo Scandal in the 60s. Now, it's just as slinky, with short, sharp concoctions served to punters on long leather sofas.

Fancy sipping on bespoke bevvies with a view? We thought as much. So, be sure to head along to Skylight Peckham for the swoon-worthy rooftop terrace. When you're not quaffing the Bee's Knee's cocktail made from locally sourced honey, delve into its tasty menu. 

Bank House is a neighbourhood wine and cocktail bar fronting over 100 bottles of the stuff, alongside a range of bespoke cocktails. From lychee martinis to a pear old fashioned and the Bees Knees concoction, this list is sure to wow.

Have you Found it yet? Nope, didn't think so. Meander along the streets of Shoreditch and hidden beneath Casita on Ravey Street you should find a secret hideaway where some of London's best mixologists like to mingle in low lighting. Take up a seat at the bar or in one of the cosy rooms and experience a truly intimate cocktail bar in London.

Fitz's is a truly unique drinking den that boasts an old school glamour unmatched by any other bar in London. From its lavish furnishings to the expertly-curated menu of high-end cocktails, it's a perfect date night or celebratory location.

The Ten Bells is a pillar of Spitalfields boozing, but have you discovered their secret cocktail bar upstairs yet? Under the trusted guidance of renowned head bartender Jerome Slesinski, a talented bar team whip up signature shorty cocktails made with home-infused spirits and a flourish of class. Vintage Chesterfields, mis-matched tables and iconic artworks contribute to the chic ambience.

You can always rely on The Little Scarlet Door for fun vibes and bespoke concoctions. Head inside for metropolitan vibes, inspired by New York's iconic loft apartments, alongside a drinks list to die for. Think movie-themed bevvies or killer sharing cocktails in funky mixing bowls. 

Named after a popular mix from the Victorian era, Purl clashes old with new. Tucked away in a Marylebone basement, the space uses inventive and quirky methods when it comes to cocktails, from dry ice through to ice cream infused.

With several diverse spaces, Hush in Mayfair has everything you need for a night out. Head to their Aviator bar for a night of Pan Am themed fun as bartenders whip up delicious cocktails at this award-winning spot.

Imitated by many yet matched by very few, Ruby's is an absolute gem of a basement bar worth stumbling across in Dalston. The main bar area puts the focus on a seasonal menu of innovative drinks, with table service and an intimate atmosphere well suited to all occasions. The Lounge is the livelier space of the two, with a wide choice of beers, wines from Clapton's Verden and Vietnamese street food from the Hanoi Kitchen on offer alongside a curated programme of music and live entertainment.

Black Rock isn't just about serving up whisky straight. With over 250 bottles on display and a commitment to delivering the best blends, they've even roped in an 18ft, 185-year-old oak tree trunk that acts as both an interactive cocktail ageing system and a spectacular centrepiece.

This slinky French hideaway in Bethnal Green was recently named as one of the world's best bars, so you know they've got plenty of tricks up their sleeves when it comes to cocktail creation. An evening here will consist of sipping elegant concoctions, paired perfectly with enticing cheeses and charcuterie. 

Earth didn't start with Adam and Eve, it started with dessert and cocktails. Heralded for their sweet treats, not only is Basement Sate the front runner for desserts in the city, their cocktails are a sweet smasher too. From their bespoke, speakeasy inspired setting to their hand-made cocktails, this is a neat treat not to be missed. 

This gorgeous Soho restaurant has got the drink credentials to match the food as they've employed cocktail supremo The Talented Mr Fox. The mixology master has put his mark on the list with drinks inspired by the famous faces of Soho; we recommend the Karl Marx, a boozy mix of vodkas, honey, and beer.

Situated in Covent Garden, The Lost Alpaca is a top-notch haunt for date nights and catch-ups with friends. Settle into a comfy booth and munch on nibbles such as beef empanadas and cancha corn, before tucking into a range of pisco sours.