Cool London Bars

London is full to the brim with cool nightlife destinations; so trying to choose where to go sometimes can be rather daunting. To make it all a bit easier, we have whittled down what we think are some of the coolest bars in London town, so next time you are looking for a great place to go you won't feel like you're stepping into the unknown, unless of course the unknown is what you're after.

Last updated on 17th March 2023




NYX Hotel London Holborn

Showcasing artwork based on pop culture, fashion and music, NYX Eat, Drink & Play is quite the stylish space. Along with cracking cocktails and quirky interiors, their menu is equally as tantalising. Enjoy munching on small plates of charred squid and king prawn curries.

Flight Club

What do you get if you throw an oche, some heavy drinking and a bar in either Shoreditch, Bloomsbury, Victoria or Islington? You get Flight Club. (DUH). If you're unfamiliar with this turn of phrase it's quite simple the latest social gaming bar in London. This is the dawn of darts, come along so you won't get left behind. Oche oche oche, oi oi oi! 

Little Bat

Borrowing its name from the Mad Hatter's poem, Little Bat is a quirky neighbourhood cocktail bar with subtle Wonderland-themed influences. Brought to us by the guys behind the multi award-winning Callooh Callay team. Promising banging drinks, cosy vibes and attentive service from the talented bar team, this is a must-try if you're looking for somewhere special close to Islington's Upper Street.

Humble Grape - Wine Bars in London

How better to unwind after a day at work than by getting lost in a huge glass of malbec? Luckily for London's metropolitan workers, Humble Grape has branches across London. Beautifully decorated with sleek, chic furniture, the venue is stocked with over 30 different varieties of wine from all over the globe. Completing the experience, guests can indulge is a few accompanying dishes of food.

Dirty Bones - Restaurants in London

With four stunning venues across the city, Dirty Bones brings a delicious array of NYC-inspired comfort eats, and clever cocktails. Head over to one of their gorgeous bars in Carnaby, Kensington, Soho or Shoreditch for eats, drinks and an eclectic soundtrack. 

The Four Thieves

The Kids Table

In homage to the lavender that saved the Four Thieves back in medieval times, The Four Thieves pub even has its own lavender crop on its roof! This lavender will be brewed into the pub's own gin to the delight of its customers. Eccentrically decorated with taxidermy aplenty, 60s kitsch and just a touch of masonic symbolry; The Four Thieves is a seriously unusual hang out. 

The Breakfast Club Canary Wharf

Catering for your every need and with a distinct devil-may-care approach to things, the Breakfast Club in Canary Wharf is always abuzz with energy and life. Decorated as a retro working man's club, expect to find intriguing furniture, hilarious antiques and a huge disco ball hovering over the entire venue. With a diverse range of dishes and catering for all kinds of palate, their chefs have worked tirelessly to offer a flavoursome brunch and dinner menu.

Brewhouse & Kitchen Hoxton

Found under three railway arches, boasting cavernous, bare-brick walls, warm pendant lighting and teal accents, Brewhouse & Kitchen Hoxton really is pretty stylish. Head over for pints brewed onsite, lip-smacking grub, tasting experiences and even the chance to make your own beer.

Archer Street Soho

Archer Street is a cocktail lounge in London's southern soho with a stylish, sophisticated vibe. It has a cool basement bar, Piste, with plenty of sofas to lounge on and secluded alcoves to get lost in. Archer Street heats up on the weekends with live DJ's providing you with some classic tunes to dance along to. Cosy, yet with an "exclusive" feel to it, this cool cocktail bar is not one to miss out on if your looking for a delicious drink in equally delicious surroundings. 

The Studio @ London Cocktail Club Oxford Circus

Keep it under your hat, but there's actually an extra top secret bar to be explored at LCC Oxford Circus. Meet The Studio; a truly unique concept where patrons lap away at top quality vodka cocktails and play their own DJ sets. Kitted out with seductive black booths, hanging microphone lights and a showpiece recording studio room it's hella stylish too, and the venue offers among the best cocktail masterclasses in town.

Dirty Martini Islington

Happy Hour

Suave, sophisticated and opulent, Dirty Martini in Islington offers guests a brilliant spot to relax and unwind in. The team behind this successful brand have established a reputation for consistently serving up irresistible cocktails. Armed with an arsenal of spice, fruits and international spirits, creativity definitely isn't lacking behind the bar. Relax, unwind and party in style at this cool cocktail bar.

The Absinthe Parlour At The Last Tuesday Society

If you're after a drastically different bar experience, and a wonderfully weird evening guaranteed; look no further!  Upstairs, you'll find yourself immersed in a parallel universe stuffed with fossils, skeletons, art and oddity. Following the fascination for taxidermy, two headed creatures scuttle about in glass cages and birds flutter their wings. Downstairs, a place of equal wonder exists - a basement bar offering all sorts of baroque cocktails. 

Found

Elusive, renowned and hidden beneath Casita on Ravey Street, once you've found it, you'll know, A secret Shoreditch bar, Found is a haven for some of the best mixology in the city where skilled bartenders concoct quite the collection of drinks for you. Decked out with cosy interiors, low lighting and an intimate feel, Found is quite the retreat. If you can find it...

Humble Grape Battersea

Add "Tasting Tuesday" (4x 50ml) for £15 per person! and 3 other offers

In our eyes, Humble Grape is the epitome of cool - this industrial-inspired hangout is the ideal spot for a chilled out afternoon. Head down to this split-level venue, post yourself up on one of the charmingly-rugged wooden pews, and treat yourself to a few premium glasses of organic wine. And if you get peckish, Humble Grape serves up some cracking charcuterie boards to chow down on too. 

Chelsea Funhouse

The perfect bar for commitment-phobes everywhere, Chelsea Funhouse offers three nights out in one. Start off at the explorer-themed restaurant for a mouthwatering dinner, before heading up to the top floor for a 1940s style cocktail experience, finally taking to the espresso martini lounge for drinking and dancing into the early hours. Saturday night? Completed it.

 

Be At One Battersea Rise

Fancy Extra Long Happy Hour? (Requires an app Download) and 1 other offer

From suburbs and the affluent youth to beaming parks and charming pubs, Battersea has plenty going for it. But the biggest perk? Well that would have to be Be At One. From unique cocktails and affordable mixes to a late night atmosphere, nothing's stopping one of the best cocktail joints south of the river.

Simmons Soho

Sunday Funday! and 5 other offers

With the happiest of happy hours, plenty of punchy concoctions to work your way through, and a crowd of the most approachable partygoers in the capital, how could Simmons Soho being anything other than a super cool cocktail spot? Head down to discover a cute space that dons all sorts of awesome ornamentation (including a super nintendo!). Spend the night drinking and dancing until the early morn. 

The Cocktail Club - Various Sites

Ask any given Londoner their favourite cocktail bar in town and The Cocktail Club would be right up there, we're sure of it. We're not surprised either, with their hideouts serving up their quirky mixture of classic and contemporary cocktails. Check out locations in Canary Wharf and beyond.

Hawkes

Head over to Hawkes, London's first ever commercial cidery, where they bring you a stunning selection of their signature brews every day of the week. From tasty homemade brews to a rotating line up of guest ciders and tasty pizzas, it's the perfect place to get those post-work drinks in.

Burlock

Temptation Tuesdays - 50% Off and 5 other offers

Burlock is one of the best places to drink rum cocktails and feast on authentic Cuban and Caribbean food in London. You'll find more than 200 types of the spirit lining the shelves, available to enjoy as part of a beautifully crafted cocktail or as a shot. There's a cavernous party atmosphere to this Marylebone hangout which almost certainly has a lot to do with the unique happy hour which runs from open until close.

The Piano Works Farringdon

2-4-1 Cocktails and 1 other offer

With a boat load of character, it's fair to say that 'cool' is the only word to describe this East London bar. Wonderfully combining the harsh, airy feel of a Victorian warehouse with the suave and opulence vibes of a bustling piano bar. Alongside their range of compelling cocktails and spirits, guests will be able to sample a number of culinary treats, including a succulent steak or a mouth-watering chilli dog. 

Embargo Republica

Sneak through a cigar shop and uncover this Latino-laden den of fast rhythms, sassy hips and live musical musings. Embargo Republica is an island of Cuban cool, raucous partying and rummy-licious cocktail craft with over 20 bottles of the stuff lining the bar. Salsa, rumba and shimmy onto the dancefloor of this Chelsea joint where South American stylings seduce you into the night. 

Joe's

Joe's bar in Camden makes for a totally unique London bar experience. Get down and dirty at this cool London 50's rock and roll bar; while you're at it eat some amazing hot dogs, sing along to some great rock 'n' roll classics provided by Joe's amazing jukebox. Go large, dance on the tables and have a serious party at this fun and vibrant venue, easily one of London's coolest bars.

Lonsdale

With a luxuriously stylish interior, staff with a passion for the art of drinks making and DJs to liven up evenings with the likes of R&B, hip-hop, reggae and dance, Lonsdale is the epitome of cool. The lively, yet laid back atmosphere brings in a mixed crowd so the Lonsdale is usually full to the brim sophisticated drinkers and lively party-goers making this one of London's coolest bars.