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.
A perfect city retreat tucked away behind the bustle of London Bridge, Hide Bar is an intimate cocktail lounge with a seated only policy so you can come here to sup and socialise without the queues at the bar. Experts in the art of cocktail making, Hide Bar are top mixologists who are always developing the dynamic of their drinks to bring you something cool and unique.
We've been looking for a decent after-work joint in the Victoria area for an age, and we just may have found it in the Munich Cricket Club. A vast party space with a traditional Bavarian party atmosphere to it, slip into your lederhosen (or don't, whatever) and come by to sample beer from Munich breweries, a good choice of wines and cocktails.
If you're looking for somewhere to blow off some steam after work and have a cheeky bevvy in a laid-back setting then The Vineyard in Islington is just the ticket. This contemporary, chic styled boozer is an urban wonderland of exposed brick, lounging and funky décor so you can enjoy all manner of tipples in this pocket friendly pub where the grub is glorious too.
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.
After work drinks in the City of London are hardly difficult to come by; London's bolshiest neighbourhood are spoiled for choice. But for a slightly different experience from your bog standard boozer, head to The Allegory on Worship Street for delicious eats, a good selection of beers, and a menu of their own bespoke cocktails.
Offering homely, country pub vibes, you'd be forgiven for forgetting The White Horse was actually in the very heart of the City. Workers seeking much-needed liquid refreshment come for the real ales, delicious wines and quality champers at 5pm, with fresh pub food available for those hoping to linger a little longer.
There's no shortage of decent pubs in the city, but we've always had a soft spot for the Lamb Tavern. Part of the fabric of this part of town since back in 1780, it's still a popular boozer of choice for those in the city, packing the punters in right beside the iconic Leadenhall Market. There's ales, wines and spirts galore, and if you track down one of the #ThirstAiders, you might just save yourself from queuing at the bar.
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.
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.
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 few breezy strides away from Monument, Dirty Martini offers a killer combination of fantastic martinis and generous happy hour deals. Come when that clock strikes 5 and enjoy half price martinis and bottles of wine, as well as £2.95 bottles of beer, until well into the evening. There's sharing platters to kick hunger to the curb, and DJs on 'til late.
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.
If you're looking to head somewhere a little different to the norm after work, head to Catch Bar. This fun Mexican bar is the perfect place to unwind in Shoreditch. You can sip on fruity cocktails and if you're peckish they serve a great selection of Mexican Tacos and Tortas that will be sure to hit the spot.
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.
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.
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.
Work in the Covent Garden area? Sometimes you just can't beat a few drinks with the team at Be At One. Renowned throughout the city for their friendly bartenders and catalogue (quite literally) of amazing cocktails, there's not a day that goes by where happy hour doesn't last until 7pm and there's great tunes overhead.
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.
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.
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.
St Barts Brewery is an eclectic and diverse venue in the heart of Farringdon. The extensive choice of artisan wines, spirits and beers makes it perfect for a bit of 5pm R&R, with the venue featuring its own ciders from Kent and unfiltered Meantime lagers coming direct from their brewery and into your glass.
An easy walk from any of Monument, Cannon Street and Bank stations, you'll find a buzzing scene after work on any given weekday at The Vintry. With full table service offered throughout the day you can kick back and clock off in style, with more than 170 wines on the bar alongside a refreshing range of craft beer, lager and cask ales. There's even a cool cocktail lounge where talented mixologists work their magic in the basement.
Balls Brothers Austin Friars is an excellent little spot to drop into after work, providing a serene refuge in the heart of the city. Promising a menu featuring drinks that "are pieces of art themselves", unwind into the evening by sampling the wild and imaginative cocktails on offer, or something from their superb wine and beer selection.
The Refinery in the City of London is an all-day restaurant and bar that draws in guests with its fun, laid back atmosphere. Fitting in with its sister venues in the Drake and Morgan family, the venue serves its guests a range of seasonal and freshly produced dishes. From breakfast in the morning to after work drinks late at night, this jack-of-all-trades will cater to whatever mood you might find yourself in.
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.
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.
Please note: we can't be held accountable if after work drinks at Barrio quickly get out of hand, and you suddenly find yourself hitting the dancefloor hard on a school night. Amigo Hour is sometimes just too difficult to resist. Head along to this buzzing hub of South American culture where explosive cocktails and authentic street food await.