Cool and Quirky Bars in London

Decked out in the grandeur of the Victorian era, the aptly named Victorian Bath House pulls back the velvet curtain to show you into a world of period luxury and vintage inspired food and drink. Sup on the finest cocktails, lounge in decadence and tuck into fine foods from top chefs at one of London's cool restaurant bars.

This thrilling tale of pirates and plunder is brought to you by the team behind Alcotraz. Immerse yourselves in a drinking voyage that'll see you attempt to steal long-lost treasure from the grasps of the governor, all while enjoying delicious cocktails. 

Prepare to don an orange jumpsuit as you become an inmate at these immersive cocktail bars in central and east London. Inspired by America's infamous prison and the Hollywood movies surrounding it, Alcotraz creates tailored cocktails based on your liquor and tastes - just make sure the warden doesn't catch you!

Throwing it back to 1920s Havana, join the fun-loving crew at the notorious Burlock as they churn out rum cocktails in a quirky London setting for the party hardy. Throwback? You bet.

One of Chelsea's most sought after bar experiences, The Bletchley brings you both a fully-immersive cocktail bar and a World War Two-inspired escape room. Solve the clues to earn some personalised sips.

Sister site to the mighty Nightjar speakeasy, Oriole is a sumptuous space of global influence and exotic design in Smithfield Market. Come for luscious cocktails made up of tastes and flavours from all corners of the globe, equally tasty bites to eat and a live music schedule which spans everything from Cuban Son to West Coast African blues.

Being a cool and quirky bar in London seems to come oh so easy to a venue like The Bootlegger. Get set for a dose of cocktail razzle dazzle at this Prohibition-inspired vintage bar in the heart of East London.

Dirty Bones have taken over one of London's most beautiful bars for their third venue. Located in a Grade-II listed former pub, this outlet is all about velvet armchairs, refreshing cocktails and all the big dirty plates we know and love.

Inspired by the Wild West, this immersive cocktail bar is one of a kind. Try your hand at card games and solve clues, in the heart of Fulham. Make sure you've smuggled in your choice of tipple which expert bartenders use to create personalised cocktails based on your own choices and tastes.

From the secret cocktail lounge through to the stripped back dining space, Martello Hall is a gorgeous East London pub turned into a cool bar. Check it out for delicious homely plates, with everything from pizzas through to meatballs.

Taking residence in Victorian listed basement, The Piano Works is the revival of the loud and vibrant live music bars, where you can dance and party to the sound of a 6 piece band playing your song requests. Taking on a vintage style speakeasy, this House of Song is one of the best hidden gems London has to offer.

From retro wares which include old-fashioned maps and an incredible plant-ridden conservatory, Powder Keg Diplomacy is a vintage watering hole in South London. The Clapham spot serves up delicious cocktails mixed with everything from Earl Grey tea to citrus fruits, there's also a hearty menu if you're peckish.

Contrary to what George Michael says, drinks at this Covent Garden bar are not free. The team behind this bar certainly haven't gone in half-hearted. The venue's full of 500 bird decorations, a lagoon pool-style dance floor, a dazzling selection of colourful flowers and a handful of cabanas spread throughout. With various beach-grill inspired dishes, over 50 cocktails on the menu and some of the city's biggest DJs on the decks, it marries the right amount of quirk with all the things we love about a themed night out in London.

So much more than your average bar, this quirky spot in Palmers Green houses a full roller skating rink for when you're looking to get a little active on your next night out.

Megaro is charming and characterful cocktail bar, sitting below the bustling streets of Kings Cross. 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. If that wasn't enticing enough, the cinema-style seating and elegant portraits hanging on the walls add a bit of edge and quirk. 

Powering up in Canary Wharf this winter is one unique bar concept from the minds behind Flight Club. Electric Shuffle is an all-new technological spin on the classic pastime, with additional food and drinks to forge an unforgettable evening. 

Playing host to a range of eating outlets it can be tricky deciding what to chow down on at this quirky Paddington eatery. From burgers and wings to pizza and wonton soup, you'll be spoilt for choice.

BYOC Camden is not your average cocktail den; for starters it has an amazing 1920s theme, complete with vintage blackjack tables and roulette, and secondly, you are expected to bring your own bottle of spirit for bartenders to whip into masterpieces.

Crazy Bear Fitzrovia is not only one of the best cocktail bars in London but also provides an extremely decadent venue to indulge in a romantic meal. Once you've swept down the luxurious red velvet staircase, you will be dining amongst the sound of chatter and clinking crystal cocktail glasses.

Dabbers are re-inventing bingo halls for a millennial audience. Serving up kooky cocktails alongside raucous games of bingo, with bottomless brunches, musical bingo and high-stakes games all on the cards, it's one of The City's quirkiest spots. 

A gem in the crown of London's speakeasy scene, Found is one of the most humble yet unique bars in the city. Promising a menu that features only 12 distinct cocktails, Found have gone out of their way to ensure a mantra of quality over quantity. 

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Bat, how I wonder what you're at. Borrowing its name from the Mad Hatter's poem, Little Bat is a quirky neighbourhood cocktail bar featuring plenty of Wonderland-themed influences. Expect a playful and imaginative ambience complemented by superb cocktails and attentive at Callooh Callay's new sister site.

The Bourne and Hollingsworth Buildings is a quaint bar in North London, based just a short stroll from Angel tube station. With a sleek bar serving all the signature cocktails that have made the B&H name famous over the years, the venue's idyllic greenhouse and airy cafe offer prime spots to unwind in with mates. Soak up all the vintage and carefree vibes at this quirky bar in London. 

Cirque brings all of the fun of the circus to Old Street. A kooky little space filled with rubix cube stools, zebra taxidermy and dangling airplane models, there's a lot of charm and character to this bustling cocktail bar. Drinks are a tad on the steep side, so it's worth timing your visit to fit with happy hour, where cocktails are 2 for £10 between 4 and 8pm.

Head to North London where this fun tiki bar whips up some of the finest cocktails on Upper Street. Most come laced with bespoke rum and fresh ingredients for the sipping on, but if you're looking to kick things up a notch head to their upstairs Rum Club and try your hand at mixing your own rum.

Looking for somewhere extra quirky to host a private party? Blues Kitchen has the perfect fit with their 1950s styled Airstream Caravan. They'll stock up the fridges with your favourite drinks as you soak in the vintage luxury, there's room for up to 25 and you can hook up your ipod and play your own tracks. Join the main party room a little later, where Blues comes up trumps with their mix of Texas BBQ food, bourbon cocktails and live rock 'n' roll music.

Soho's suavest secret, hidden below ground level and coated in Parisian chic, is the perfect quirky hangout for you and your trendiest of friends. Nestle into the plushest of leather armchairs and admire your sophisticated surrounds as you taste cocktails mixed  by the gods and nosh on the divine of the dinners. You'll never want to leave and, with a late night license, you won't have to for a long while.

There's more than a hint of West London suave about this basement bolthole. It's found beneath the Arbitrager, offering a relaxed yet refined atmosphere to the city's after-work crowd. Cross this one off your 'must-visit' list and you'll soon be enjoying a daring and innovative list of signature drinks in one of the hot-to-trot basement bars in London.

While the Portobello Star might be old, it just means that they've attracted the cool, fun crowd of West London for loads of years now. Come here for amazing cocktails, premium beers and house infused spirits.

Boasting a DJ booth tucked inside of a vintage piano, cocktails served out of the finest of China, and luxurious seating arrangements, the Arts Theatre Club is certainly in the upper echelon of cool and quirky bars in London. This members-only, Soho speakeasy acts as the perfect, Prohibition-era getaway amidst the modern day hustle and bustle of the city.

Spread across two floors, Bobby Fitzpatrick is a quirky '70s den of vintage wallpaper, kitsch sofas and signed photographs. There's board games and a quirky cocktail list inspired by Fitzpatrick's great loves, as well as American deep dish pizzas. 

If you though London Cocktail Club couldn't get any weirder then head down to their new cocktail class. A Supermarket Sweep-inspired offering from the bar group's Shoreditch location, get ready to don some very brightly coloured knitwear for the occasion.

Swingers is a bar like no other, bringing two 9-hole crazy golf courses, alongside three street food vendors, five cocktail bars, two-storey clubhouse all for you to hang out in.

Omeara has many things that prove it's a cool bar in London. There's the Cantina, offering the finest in tequila and cocktails, or there's the 320-capacity live music venue, showcasing the best in up-and-coming and world-class acts. But if none of that tickles your fancy, the views from the Terrace of the Shard and Southwark Cathedral are worth the trip.

Cool? Yes. Quirky? Oh most definitely. Expect cocktails, science lab coats and plenty of detention-worthy behaviour at The Schoolhouse. Serving up food from brunch through to dinner and inventive cocktails till late, we sure as hell hope Ofsted don't cotton onto this one.

Peckham Levels' quirkiest bar is Near & Far, a kitsch retro haven with an import/export theme. Come inside and you'll enjoy cocktails and bar snacks created with both locally sourced ingredients and exotic imports, and you can enjoy all this while soaking up the panoramic views of London.

Stop by Drink Shop & Do near King's Cross for a night out where you can take more than just a hangover home with you as a souvenir. Their cool daily 'DOs' could have you lego making, ukulele playing or floral headband making! You can also book for their quirky range of afternoon teas, such as their 'Mrs Sparkles' with unlimited Prosecco or their 'Man's Afternoon Tea' with ale, pork scratchings and a Yorkie. You never know what's coming next at Drink Shop & Do.

Modelled on the activity of a 1920s speakeasy, head to this illicit underground  haven for a taste of unrivalled vintage glamour. A venue showcasing beautiful performers in full burlesque, come for dinner and a show, with an extensive list of wines and classic cocktails served at the bar of this dazzling burlesque experience in the city.

Based on the HQ of the secret society that ran Victorian London, The Escapologist is part Victorian men's club, part Masonic Lodge; a totally unique drinking den based on the shady exploits of the infamous Baron. Head this way for sharing cocktails and cheese-drenched pizzas in one of the most eye-catching basement bars in town.

Killer cocktails, a cracking bar team, a cool as hell Hells Angels atmosphere and a thriving Shoreditch location. Yep, LCC Shoreditch is good to go for a memorable night out in east London. Come in, get comfy on the black leather couches and work your way to the bottom of an expertly mixed drink. Not sure what you fancy? The 'Smoking Barrel' should get you started just right. You're welcome.

Inspired by party animal Josephine Bonaparte, Tonight Josephine is a kitsch and fun bar in London. Join them for a night of neon signs, glittery cocktails and celebrity mugshots.

East London is home to the capital's cool and quirky bars, but it is yet to have one dedicated to the creation of The Gibson. That was, until now, as expert mixologists have been experimenting with the Edwardian recipe to create a cocktail list perfect for the dark, intimate and extravagant Clerkenwell venue.  

Found right around the corner from Tower Bridge, Simmons brings affordable drinks to their small but perfectly formed cocktail bar. Featuring quirky decorations (there's an enormous dinosaur's head, for crying out loud) and a friendly ambience, make sure you're in between 4 and 9pm on weekdays if you want to take full advantage of their famous happy hour discounts.

Rehab is Homerton's neighbourhood bar serving good quality cocktails and locally sourced vegan food. It's housed in a former launderette, and you can still find the original washing machine covers adorning the bathrooms. Intimate and charming with plenty of raw brickwork and low lighting? You know it ticks all the right boxes.

Carefully carved using pure ice, ICEBAR London is the UK's only cocktail bar permanently frozen solid. There's no half measures here, everything from the walls to the bar, tables to your own personal glass are made out of ice and maintained at a chilly -5°C. Cloak up and head for ice-cold cocktails at this bucket list London venue.

This NYC-inspired hangout has plenty of unique features. Whether you're ordering bespoke beverages to your door, sampling some of their cocktails on tap or trying some quirky classic off the menu, Genuine are sure to deliver great things.