Best Cocktail Bars in London

Billed as “an oasis of warmth, mystery and magic”, Oriole takes you on a journey to a disconnected outside world. It's the sister site to the multi award-winning Nightjar so high standards are to be expected; cocktails are laced with ingredients from all corners of the globe and plates are made up using the finest spices and seasonings from near and far. Still not swayed? Oriole rounds things off with an exceptional live music programme, with daily jazz, swing and blues tunes to look forward to.

Fronting a bar well versed in the art of fine mixology, now is your chance to venture behind the velvet ropes and into the decadent overthrows of the Victorian Bath House. With visits made by appointment only, this has to be one of the coolest cocktail bars in London where you can sink into some Victorian inspired luxury whilst supping on libations. 

Farringdon's laid-back neighbourhood bar serves comfort food and 70s-inspired cocktails in a welcoming atmosphere. Take a chance on the Blind Date, with its pleasingly sweet mix of infused brandy, lemon, sugar and egg white, or indulge in a luxurious taste of the White Chocolate & Raspberry Bellini if you like the sound of chocolate and raspberry coulis mixed in with prosecco and lemon.

Having perfected the making of the Mai Tai in 1944, Trader Vic's is a stalwart on the cocktail scene in London. Renowned for their tropical inspired tipples, taste one of this City's most original Mai Tai blends and be transported straight to an island of Polynesian party vibes. Their Tiki game is strong here - beware. 

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

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, creating tailored cocktails of the freshest ingredients and innovation. Experience some liquor laced satisfaction in one of London's under the radar creative haunts. 

Offering a relaxed and refined atmosphere completely at odds with the frenetic nature of the city, Demon, Wise & Partners rightly takes it's place as one of the best bars in London. Hiding away beneath The Arbitrager and the city's towering skyscrapers, track this place down and enjoy an easygoing night of exceptional cocktails, beers, wines and spirits.

Disrepute is definitely one of the best cocktail bars in London thanks to its wonderful cocktails, fabulous interior and enviable atmosphere. If you want to sip delicious mixed drinks in amazing company, you are in the right place.

London has its fair share of cocktail bars, but it is lacking one specific type: a venue specialising in The Gibson. With bartenders at the helm with a very steep mixology heritage, The Gibson plans to repopularise the almost forgotten mix in this quirky East London haunt.

Frequently popping up in lists of the best cocktail bars around, including Best Cocktail Menu 2014 at The DesignMyNight Awards, Callooh Callay is easily one of the best spots for cocktails in London. With an eclectic, comic book style list of extraordinary cocktails, and an ever changing menu of wonderfully original names, Kilner Me Softly being a personal favourite, Callooh Callay is a must for any wannabe cocktail aficionado.

Looking Glass Cocktail Club has to be one of the best cocktail bars in East London... and all of London, in fact. Incredibly unique cocktails, mesmerising decor and a magical atmosphere make Looking Glass Cocktail Club a real treat for cocktail lovers in the capital.

Crazy Bear oozes style and class and is a great destination for cocktails. From the very first moment you step in you will be impressed with the decor, ambiance and delicious drinks served up. With intimate nooks to book with friends and a buzzy atmosphere there is no wonder this is an extremely popular cocktail bar in London. Book online to try this brilliant Soho cocktail bar for yourself. 

Not only are the illustrated interiors at Dolls House Islington something to muse over, their cocktail list is a London treasure. A North London cocktail bar with talent and tact, Dolls House Islington whips up classic cocktails and quirky favourites in a truly unique London townhouse. 

A treasure of a King's Cross cafe, cocktail bar and late night dancing spot, Drink Shop Do carries an awesome list of cocktails fronting an impressive gin selection. Grab a stiff drink and enjoy one of their weekday 'Do's (we're talking Lego Robots and Musical Bingo) or get started on a big night on the tiles at the weekend; there's drinking and dancing until 2am.

This intimate drinking den claims that the “creation and execution of exceptional drinks is our passion”, and who are we to argue? Pop a couple of Hell in the Pacific's down the hatch and it'll be hard to counter this claim, and they're pretty darn serious about the quality of their Dim Sum plates too. A must for all rum aficionados, there's also soothing DJ sets to enjoy at the end of the week.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The fifth instalment of the London Cocktail Club family is up there with our favourites. Come in, soak up the biker-themed 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 LCC such a fan favourite.

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.

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. 

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! 

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. Despite being standing only upstairs, guests can take a load off and unwind in the venue's cosy underground bar. 

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.

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.

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! 

The cocktails aren't your average tipples at Reverend JW Simpsons, no, they're libations of forages and seasonal ingredients compiled in new and exciting ways. To top things off this basement bar is completely unique with its design, as the former home of a reverend it still features the original floorplan and many of his touches.

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. The team of expert mixologists, armed with a collection of strange ingredients, fresh fruit liqueurs, flavoursome punches and international spirits, mix and flair together an impressive range of fun concoctions that are sure to leave a lasting impression on you. Grab a strong drink, relax and see where the night takes you at this fun-loving bar. 

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.

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!

Batch is bringing a completely new style to your cocktail drinking; head to Peckham to find this pop-up that's inspired by mythical Christmas monsters, with only the finest spirits used.

Nobu isn't just known for their fantastic array of world-renowned Japanese food. They also boast an excellent selection of signature cocktails, available from the stunning bar area. You can also enjoy these in their gorgeous, intimate outside space.

A hidden gem of a London cocktail bar located beneath the Botanist Broadgate, the Soda Room is a sleek hideaway promising good music, cool interiors and excellent cocktails. Head over for a buzzing vibe and affordable-but-interesting cocktails, Monday through to Saturday. 

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.

Megaro is a basement bar in Kings Cross that's created a reputation for itself thanks to its stunning cocktail menu and quirky decor. The venue's expert mixologists have really let their creative side shine, curating a menu of signature creations and spirit infusion. Why not try the Borsh Mary cocktail, created using the venue's very own homemade hot sauce.

Goat DRINK is a blend of Kensington class and New York charm bringing you a selection of tried and tested experimental cocktail creations reviving forgotten classics with modern, signature twists added. Their death in the afternoon is a cocktail recipe delivering just what it says on the tin with a cheeky splash of absinthe to warm your cockles! 

The perfect excuse to dust off some World War Two fancy dress, The Bletchley is an immersive bar experience that will have you playing codebreaker. Solve the puzzles and have your results converted into a stunning cocktail made by their expert bar team.

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.

Purl is one of London's most imaginative cocktail bars; think nitrogen gas and delicious aromas in the air. With a name derived from an Old English tipple made from gin and ale, Purl sets itself up for unusual drinks and that's exactly what you get. 

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 intimate 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 connoissuer or like to dabble in fresh, unique tastes then Hide Bar is best. 

London cocktail bars don't get quirkier than this. Hidden behind shutters is a secret prison, where bribery and contraband rule. 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.

Located in the heart of Soho, this gorgeous bar and eatery is offering a classic taste of the area with an impressive cocktail list where each drink is named for a famous resident, and the menu has been designed by concoction connoisseur The Talented Mr Fox.

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. 

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.