Cocktail lounges in London are all about three things: class, intimacy and relaxation. We've put together a list of the swankiest lounge bars in London, with premium service and some of the coolest cocktail blends imaginable. Each with its own unique charm, chances are you'll find something to suit any occasion - take a look!
A sultry speakeasy outside the bustle of the busy city? Cocktail Akademia in Bromley is the place. The four-floor hangout has a heavenly drinks offering, with sips ranging from a smoked grapefruit negroni to an earl grey old fashioned. Nurse your bev on a vintage sofa, with plenty of quiet corners to choose from for intimate chats and cosy vibes.
As cocktail lounges go, Downstairs at 180 blends polish with personality. The bartenders lean into classic techniques with a contemporary twist, serving drinks that match the room's warm, retro-modern aesthetic.
The jazz influences run deep - live on select nights, curated the rest of the week - and the atmosphere manages to be both intimate and effortlessly sociable. Whether you're slipping in for a pre-dinner drink or settling in for the night, this Clerkenwell basement bar delivers the kind of thoughtfully crafted experience cocktail lovers seek.
If you're looking for a quirky cocktail spot in Tooting, Covent Garden or Putney? Tequila Mockingbird boasts a stunning array of drinkable concoctions and slick interiors, not to mention great DJs keeping the party going until 2am every weekend.
The UK's largest and most iconic entertainment venue, The Hippodrome, hides a luxurious lounge bar secret. Beneath the spinning roulette wheels and chucking in of chips is the award-winning Archive and Myth.
It's got low and inviting lighting, plush seating, elegant finishes and a cocktail list that's intriguing to say the least. We're talking half-size and full-size signature serves packed with everything from fine Japanese whiskey to absinthe, condensed milk, birch and bubbles.
The Owl & Monkey is the perfect place for cocktail lovers to meet, thanks to its cracking lineup of classic and signature creations, with a monthly special up for grabs too. To pair with your tipple? Lip-smacking small plates and cheeseboards.
One of the most elegant cocktail lounges in the city has to be Lobby Bar at the London EDITION. Prepare to be stunned upon entry as you're met with a stainless steel orb, towering ceilings and gorgeous soft lighting. The playful space is the perfect destination to enjoy tipples with a twist, such as The Bitter End, made with Oloroso Sherry and smoke, or the South Sea Clipper with Bacardi 8 and clarified milk.
Looking for the best cocktails in London? Head to this West End spot where you'll find a cracking selection of tipples alongside quality wines, top notch coffee and a hearty selection of brunch dishes.
For a drink or two with epic views, VU is hard to beat. As you get to grips with its creative cocktails, you can drink in the sights, from the Thames and Tower Bridge to the capital's iconic skyline.
High above the busy streets, it's the perfect escape from the hustle bustle of the city. Feeling peckish? Take your pick of nibbles and small plates, mega mains or elegant afternoon teas.
A pretty Hong Kong-themed bar, Lucy Wong makes the perfect lounge. Explore the signature cocktail menu, which includes a vodka-laced Eastern sour or a Breakfast In Beijing boasting a moreish marmalade flavour, all while taking in the stunning interiors.
Not only is Homeboy in Islington bringing you smooth serves of Guinness, craic-ing whiskey and an eclectic cocktail menu, but it's even got the laid-back vibes and hip-hop soundtrack to boot. Plus, with dishes like a chicken fillet roll and stew on the menu, you won't need to look far when you're hungry.
One of West London's finest cocktail lounges, this plush bar within Victoria's Grosvenor Hotel offers some stunning drinks and a romantic and relaxed atmosphere perfect for a few tipples post-work or pre-theatre.
Step into Dovetail Bar in Clapton, where you'll find a creative drinks menu that blends classic cocktails with innovative twists. With an ever-changing selection of drinks and a cosy ambience, it's the perfect place to relax and unwind.
Check out its £8 spritzes everyday of the week until 7pm, or swing by for a delicious old fashioned made with spiced maple.
In the centre of theatre land is Lockes Bar, a gorgeous cocktail lounge. The sophisticated interior spans two floors, one of which is the basement, and makes the perfect place to enjoy a pre-show tipple. There are over 30 wines to choose from as well as the classics like a refreshing moscow mule or a negroni. There's also a location in Battersea, too.
Located in Southwark, The Lounge Bar knocks up an amazing slew of cocktails, gin drinks and wine, alongside a sumptuous snack menu. Settle into this sleek boozer for cute date nights and quick drinks with pals.
Within the Milestone Hotel and Residences, you'll find The Stables Bar. Paying homage to the building's original use, the watering hole is filled with equestrian-themed art alongside plush leather seating. Head over for theatrical cocktails, including their signature smoking old fashioned.
Travel round the world with this sexy spot in the heart of Covent Garden. Blind Spot is set in the very gorgeous St Martin's Lane hotel, and knocks up cocktails that draw on influences from across the globe - perfect for a pre-theatre tipple.
This is a cocktail lounge in Soho that offers a gentle sophistication with an air of exclusivity. Although more expensive than your average cocktail bar in London, this is one of the classiest and most stylish lounge bars in London, serving up a selection of expertly crafted cocktails to suit all tastes. Book a space for you and your friends now.
Ohana is a vibrant, atmospheric cocktail lounge found in the heart of South Woodford. It boasts a bar mixing bespoke drinks like Purple Reign (black grape au vodka), as well as offering a second room dedicated to the dancefloor and open until 2am on weekends.
Craving a fun night out with a few cheeky drinks? The SiXTY/FoUR cocktail lounge in Clapham is the spot to check out. The venue comes complete with exotic sips, private booths and dimmed lights and candles for a more intimate vibe.
One of the best lounge bars in London, this gorgeous space in Bloomsbury is one to seek out if you're looking for sensation sips and stunning surroundings. Sample the delights of their clever cocktail menu before tucking into a few of their delicious bar bites.
With a cool South East Asia theme and amazing views across the London skyline, Jin Bo Law is ticking of all sorts of lists when it comes to drinking in London. Perfect for a date night in the City, head to this joint for quirky cocktails and a stylish atmosphere.
This is one of the best cocktail lounges in London to also grab a bite to eat, with small plates, brunch dishes and plenty of pizza on offer. Cosy up amongst the hanging plants, graffiti and artwork at Never For Ever, all while you sip on your favourite tipple.
You'll find 135 Bar & Lounge between Stepney and Bethnal Green, bringing a stylish, sophisticated vibe to the area. This speakeasy bar is inspired by the 1930s, considered the golden age of cocktails, and they use only the finest spirits, liqueurs and fresh ingredients to create their bespoke blends.
The timeless space is filled with Art Deco accents ad vintage furniture, dimly lit to provide and intimate atmosphere. And if you head here on the weekend, you can expect live music from local and international artists, as well as resident DJs spinning jazz, blues, disco and soul tunes.
If you're on the hunt for an intimate watering hole in Central London, The Dilly is a fantastic choice. From the beautiful interiors and chilled-out ambience to the mouthwatering mixes and live entertainment (think jazz pianists and soul vocalists), this place is coming out on top.
Lush and leer over some of the best concoctions in the business as this stunning London cocktail lounge promises mastery behind the bar. Brought to you by the boozy brains behind Callooh Callay, guests to Little Bat can expect idiosyncratic interiors alongside stunning and unusual drinks.
A particularly elegant cocktail lounge in London. With a stylish interior inspired by the look and feel of the Middle East, this is a lounge bar in London with a cool, chilled out vibe and an equally as impressive list of unique cocktails, all with their own twist on the expected. This is one of our favourite cocktail lounges in London, so book now.
Spend a classy evening at Mayfair's Luggage Room; an intimate 1920s-style cocktail bar where nostalgia meets sophistication. Get charmed by the chic interiors and incredible sips inspired by different drinking eras. Look out for the pineapple punch and gin-based Speakeasy Sparkling.
Offering 'bunny service' and a number of cool variations on the traditional cocktail bar, Salvatore at Playboy is a cocktail lounge in London that gives a drinking experience like no other. Guests can have their drinks mixed on their table top with Salvatore's mobile bar, offering a new take on table service. What's more is the option to try one of their vintage cocktails, made using only 18th century spirits - but they'll cost you. This is lounge bar in London that offers service like no other, so book now.
