Best for After Work Drinks
Discover our recommended bars and pubs for after work drinks in London! Long day at the office? Let’s get you to the pub pronto. With plenty of great venues offering happy hour deals and chilled-out vibes perfect for kicking back and reflecting on the day that was, we’ve drawn up a collection of our favourites. From the heart of the West End to the centre of the city, here are the best places to get a drink after work in London.
Last updated on 16th October 2020
Want some happy hour merriment in the city? Patch St. Paul's and Patch East will happily oblige, laying on all kinds of cheap and cheerful drink deals between 4pm and 7pm every day. Get along to this handsome spot for after-work refreshment and they'll take 50% off bottles of wine and spirits.
Up the ante on after-work drinks at sleek and stylish Burdock, located on Finsbury Square. The City spot has bags of personality; head to the bar to work your way through an innovative cocktail list, freshly brewed pints and glutton-inducing freakshakes, as well as having a go on their unique shuffleboards.
Situated on the bustling streets in the City of London, this venue is the perfect hideaway to unwind after a long day at work. Escape the workday stress and collapse into a padded arm chair, with a glass of wine in hand, of course. And if you're hungry, check out the extensive menu of steaks, fish and chips and grilled sardines for a delicious dinner.
Like your 5pm tipple in the company of spectacular views of the Thames? You probably ought to get down to the Oyster Shed then, where thirsty revellers marvel at The Shard, Tower of London and the Thames in all their finery. We haven't even mentioned the fine wines, real ales and delectable range of craft beers yet either.
Nestled in the beating heart of London's Leicester Square, Blind Spot is a smooth, sultry cocktail bar that offers guests a serene location to sit back and unwind with their favourite cocktail. Serving a range of exquisite concoctions and with a well-trained bar staff capable of mixing and flairing together an array of ingredients, the dim lighting and cosy armchairs create the perfect, laid back ambience to lose yourself in.
Got your sights set on a few drinks on Shoreditch High Street? Full of charm, quirky decor and a vibrancy that you won't find in too many other Shoreditch bars, this place is always lively with workers spilling out after quitting time. Book yourself in and enjoy the drinkonomical happy hour prices on offer from The Shoreditch.
Nestled somewhere in the heart of Leadenhall Market is Old Tom's - a snug retreat from city life that's just perfect for a post-5pm tipple or two. Topple down the stairs and into an old-fashioned retreat complete with 19th century tiles and warm service, the bar specialises in an extensive range of craft beer as well as a more than handy choice of gin and whisky. There's cheese and charcuterie boards made for sharing if you're peckish.
If you're looking for somewhere you can enjoy some casual drinks and shmoozing activities then Ask For Janice (not the person, the place) is ideal for you. Doling out all the laid-back, urban boozing vibes you could wish for, plant your tush on their wooden stools that look like they're fresh out of a school science lab and enjoy their spread of beer, wine and over 40 Gins.
Who's out drinking in Holborn tonight then? We've just the destination. Less a siesta and more a fiesta, Salvador and Amanda is a plush plot for after work drinks where tapas inspired chow and cracking party tracks reign supreme. Familiar with those after a reasonably priced post work tipple or three, this dapper little joint will please palates and party people alike.
Situated within a stone's throw of St Pauls and boasting a quirkily relaxed vibe, Shaws Booksellers is the perfect spot for an after work bevvy. Have a well deserved pint of ale in this spacious and convenient setting. It has Fuller's Master Cellarman status don't you know, so it can offer you all sorts of great beery remedies for the day's woes.
If you're looking for somewhere to unwind after a long week at work, The Britannia is a favourite in Kensington for laid-back boozing and lovely gastronomy. Decked out with some traditional charm dating back to the 1800s, you'll find a pub mixed with vintage character and contemporary leanings making for a perfect after work drinks in London setting.
One of the best cures for a hard day's work is a nice cold pint of Guinness. Luckily, that's what McGettigans, Fulham's best Irish bar, can get for you. There's live sport on the screens, live music on the stage, and tonnes of Irish drinks and food to keep you entertained until the next after-work drinks.
Close to many of London's hot tourist spots and set in the shadows of St. Paul's cathedral, Pavilion End is a beautiful city pub, great for cosy after work drinks, with big screens to watch various sports events on and a pool table for those wanting some entertainment. Their outdoor beer garden is perfect for catching some rays in central London and escaping the bustle of other city bars.
Forget the stresses and strains of a long day at the office at this familiar Dalston pub. Oozing with a relaxed ambience, there's a healthy mix of classic cocktails, locally brewed craft beers and old world wines to keep you feeling fresh. There's a heady selection of premium rum cocktails if you'd like to stretch the night out a little longer, and a vibrant programme of live music to tap your toes to.
Work in South London? Wanting to sup on something sumptuous before the commute home? Lost & Found is a match made in heaven; serving up a vast range of cocktails each as delicious as the last, with live music and a fun time atmosphere chucked in to the bargain for good measure. Land two cocktails for the price of one between 5 and 8pm, and enjoy a complimentary sharing cocktail for all table bookings over 8 guests.
Originally owned by their father in the 1970s, Jack's bar in Waterloo is run by two brothers and offers its guests an impressive selection of classic American comfort food treats. The venue kitchen is used to planting smiles on the faces of its guests, plating up delicious pizzas, hotdogs and fiery wings.
Beautifully decorated with vintage signs, quaint antiques and vibrant furniture, The Grocer offer Londoners in the City a great place to escape the office and grab a drink after work. The bar is of course stocked full of all your favourite beers, fine wines and international spirits, but pleasing everyone, the chefs have curated a menu of traditional British recipes and classic dishes. Grab a burger, grab a pint, and leave the rigours of daily life at the door.
A Canon Street charmer, Jamie's Suffolk Lane is the answer to your after work drinks in London qualms. Something of a city favourite, this restaurant bar is a cool underground space steeped in exposed brickwork, an extensive wine list and a healthy happy hour reigning from 5pm until 8pm on week nights. Plenty of time for a couple then?
Shoreditch Platform is in a prime position in East London, located close to booth Old Street and Liverpool Street, the bar and working space is a fun a versatile space. The upstairs bar is casual and serves a range of cocktails and spirits as well as having a dinner menu if you want something more substantial.
Kitty Hawk channels New York glamour with the cool style of a London location, making it ideal for the discerning after work drinker. Serving a wonderful list of wines, including selections from the Rothschild Estate, alongside craft beers and cocktails, the venue has something for everyone. And being only a few steps away from London Liverpool Street Station is a bonus.
The Ten Bells is a legendary after-work spot for the people of the East End, but few have stumbled upon this secretive cocktail den upstairs so far. Pop in and discover this haven of Chesterfield sofas, mis-matched furniture and iconic artwork for yourself, the shorty cocktails - mixed by renowned bartender Jerome Slesinski - pack a punch, too.
If you have that Friday feeling all too early on in the week and the after work tipple is calling then Quaglino's are more than prepared to cater to you. Swan through this most decadent of restaurant bars and perch at the opulent bar area that overlooks the dining quarters where you can take in the fragrance of exquisite eats whilst you enjoy your liquor craving.
Tough day? Things can only get better at Dirty Martini St Paul's, where there's a chilled cocktail with your name on it waiting at the bar. The venue offers a sleek and sophisticated décor at the same time, which understandably draws a radiant after-work crowd. Careful though, with late night DJs taking centre stage that mythical "swift half" could soon escalate.
Smack bang in the middle of the city and overflowing with charisma, Forge is a great choice for a few chilled ones after a tough day. The cocktail list is quite something - it stretches to include 100 different tipples – and there's ample wines, beers and spirits to climb into depending on your mood. Everything is served by expert bartenders, and the venue's late licence means no one's going to blame you if you end up stumbling out at 3am.