A no-brainer for great nights out, Brixton is home to a top bar on every (and we mean every) corner. Whatever occasion, SW2 is sure to have something that will fit the bill, whether it's cosy pints in a local pub or cocktails at the neighbourhood's coolest hideaways. To help you zone in on the right venue you for you, we've rounded up our personal picks for the best Brixton bars.
Last updated on 14th December 2022
With bright pink furniture, palm tree wallpaper and an abundance of neon signs, Tequila Mockingbird has made one hell of an entrance onto Brixton's cocktail scene. This fun-time bar also ensures a party each weekend with DJs and dancing.
Head over to Acre Lane where you'll find the Hope & Anchor waiting to welcome you into their cool and cosy hangout. The Brixton pub is a favourite among locals thanks to its gorgeous outdoor beer garden, quirky interiors and juicy burgers.
One of the best cocktail bars in Brixton, Shrub and Shutter isn't the location to hit if you're looking for something plain and simple. Their unique roster of botanical drinks and ingredients includes pine-infused gin, prickly pear soda and cornflake milk, so you can expect something a little more adventurous.
A casual pub tucked away from the high street on Ferndale Road, The Duke of Edinburgh take beer gardens and sports seriously, with this buzzing favourite notorious for great beer, big matches and a pop-up kitchen in the summer sun.
If you're looking for a little more cabaret and cocktails with your dim sum, then The Courtesan has just the thing. One of the most unique bars in Brixton, this gorgeous restaurant on Atlantic Road fronts creative drinks, delicious food and sultry live performances every weekend.
This quirky Brixton beach bar is the place to go if you're looking for top DJs and an epic atmosphere. A cool and casual suntrap by day, it's a top location for chilled pints with pals. However, when the sun goes down you'll find the music blasting and the cocktails flowing.
A quirky bar in the heart of Brixton, Barrio is bringing a taste of Latin America to Acre Lane. The local artwork, hand-painted tiles and vintage caravan make this a great place to enjoy some cocktails and dancing, and you can expect a menu that brims with tequilas, mescals, piscos and Peruvian food.
One of the true hidden gems on the Brixton scene, the Beast is tucked away somewhere on Acre Lane. Make your way inside, follow the staircase up to the first floor and you'll find a cool and cosy spot with customised cocktails and a regularly rotating menu of street food.
One of the best bars on Coldharbour Lane, BrewDog is the place to go for craft beers and comfort grub. Fronting 22 taps of premium pints, the neon-lit watering hole offers ample opportunity to explore their extensive selection and chomp away on classic burgers, wings and more.
When it comes to Brixton bars, be sure to head along Sea Garden & Grill. Just a stone's throw from the tube station, this top-notch venue is touting cocktails made using molecular mixology. Our pick? A Sea Dog martini stirred with Vermouth and complimented with an oyster.
To sip on a scotch bonnet margarita in swish surrounds, look no further than getting yourself over to Wood & Water. Whipping up a variety of signature cocktails, this gorgeous restaurant also pairs them with a range of Jamaican and British small plates.
Beetle Juice is one of our top bars in Brixton Village for a reason. Come rain or shine, this fabulous venue is boasting an awesome range of bevvies that can be enjoyed in its outside space or indoor area. Fancy a boogie? You'll also be able to listen to live DJ sets every other Saturday.
A stunning spot down a Brixton side lane, Bellefields aren't just churning out Meditteranean plates of fish, pasta and more. Join them for drinks in the courtyard, fresh cocktails inside, and a regular menu of small plates.
Home to one of the coolest gardens in Brixton, Trinity Arms is a gorgeous pub just off Acre Lane. The bustling spot fronts a great selection of craft beers, fine wines and delicious food, and the aforementioned outdoor space even comes with a cosy firepit.
Mixing traditional boozer vibes with contemporary touches, Crown & Anchor is a Brixton pub that's become a much-loved local. Alongside the beaut interiors, you'll find a bar stocked to the brim with craft beers, wines and spirits - which go perfectly with the tasty tacos and Sunday roasts.
Bringing that trademark trio of Texan BBQ, bourbon cocktails and big blues tunes to the neighbourhood, it's always buzzing when you're partying at this Brixton bar. Prep yourself for plenty of dancing with their menu of soulful food and drink, followed by live bands and DJs 'til late.
A relatively new addition to South London's nightlife scene, Lost In Brixton is the gorgeous rooftop space dealing in Latin-inspired cocktails, funky botanical interiors and live music aplenty. Fully covered and heated from midday 'til late, it's the ultimate hangout whatever the weather.
When it comes to hidden gems, this Brixton Irish whiskey bar just so happens to be one of them. When you're not lapping up a cocktail in their small but charming beer garden come the summer, head inside for a dimly-lit, romantic spot where there are over 70 types of whiskey to choose from.
Nestled on the ever-famous Coldharbour Lane, there's no doubt that Market House is one of the best bars in town. While downstairs is a cool, open-plan restaurant with Wingmans and excellent cocktails at the helm, upstairs is a vibrant party palace with DJs and a rollicking dancefloor.
One for the late night revellers, this Brixton spot is serving up tasty tapas dishes and cracking cocktails only minutes from the station. Head down into the crypt that is Gremio de Brixton and see if the DJs and drinks can't keep you there until dawn.
Bringing Italian coffee culture to Ferndale Road, this gorgeous Brixton cocktail bar offers more than just a good macchiato. Boasting an array of decadent drinks and some delicious small plates, Cattivo also boasts live jazz and cabaret nights.
This bar-meets-restaurant-meets-co-working space is certainly one of the swishest spots in Brixton. Mixing simple, rustic decor with innovative menus and even their own house gin, Canova Hall regularly hosts live bands and DJs, as well as serving some of the best pizza in the area.
A small plates restaurant and cocktail bar in Brixton, Three Eight Four is the Coldharbour Lane cutie designed with date nights in mind. Snuggle up in rustic settings with a selection of tasty tapas and some potent tipples.
