Close to both the River Thames and London Bridge Station, this area is fantastically central (ideal for after-work drinks) and delightfully chic (a date night hotspot). You'll also find a range of brilliant bars in Borough, whether you're trawling for cocktail dens with epic happy hours or cosy pubs to relax in after browsing Borough Market.
From the award-winning Swift, where the interiors are nearly as impressive as the cocktails themselves, and new rooftop spot Nancy's that's bringing DJs and 70s glamour, to Spanish restaurant and wine bar Bar Daskal, we've got you sorted with our list of recommended Borough bars.
If you're feeling in need of some respite from grown-up life, The Old School Yard is the haunt for you. Spend your evening sipping on classic cocktails at the Borough bar and playing on their Nintendo Wii, or let out your inner Mariah Carey in one of their private karaoke rooms.
Taking its inspiration from Borough Market and the makers around London Bridge, Nancy's knows a thing or two about craft. Its expert mixologists serve up sensational market-to-glass cocktails packed with only the finest and freshest ingredients.
Up on the roof, you can savour the skyline views as you sip on something sensational. Add a wicked roster of DJs and bags of 1970s glamour and you've got the makings of a mighty fine night out.
Looking for a place to drink in Borough? Bunch of Grapes is a no-brainer for a chilled mid-week drink, complete with cosy interiors, an adorable beer garden, hearty pub grub and a good selection of beers, wines and spirits, there's even private dining spaces for those planning a party.
After exploring all that the incredible Borough Market has to offer, put your feet up in style over at Swift. The oh-so-stylish and elegant watering hole is the perfect place to enjoy a delicious cocktail, refreshing pint or delectable dram of whisky.
Situated close to Borough, London Bridge Rooftop is a cool, laid-back venue offering amazing views of the local area and beyond. This is a largely outdoor space, complete with wooden picnic tables, though there are several covered areas to suit all weathers.
Secure £6 Aperol spritzes on Sunday afternoons, alongside juicy burgers, chicken tenders and more. As for entertainment, think DJ sets, interactive darts and even bottomless brunches.
Boasting both a spacious interior and a sunny outdoor seating area, The Miller is a laid-back bar that's located close to London Bridge station. Expect a bustling atmosphere when you enter, as well as edgy artwork and an eclectic mix of modern and retro furniture.
They serve some of the best locally brewed craft beer, from breweries like Pressure Drop and Weird Beard. There's plenty of entertainment on the cards too, including their nightly Hoopla Improv Comedy Club.
The Boot and Flogger is a Southwark haunt found just a stone's throw from Borough Market. The wine bar is steeped in old school charm with a labyrinth of bars and dining rooms all coated in wood for a Gentlemen's Club feel to accompany your sipping of handpicked finds.
Sister venue to Ministry of Sound, The Ministry is a members' club and co-working and event space on Borough Road. The former Victorian printing factory retains an industrial feel with a modern twist, serving up a range of cocktails that are riffs on classics - from a Champagne-filled version of Sex on the Beach to a Margarita with carrot and rose. There are beers from Signature Brewery, as well as an extensive spirit and wine list too.
Just across the road from Borough Market, The Market Porter is a great shout for lively pub outings. It's got traditional interiors and a terrace that spills out onto the street, very popular with after-work drinkers.
There are 12 pumps of real ale to choose from, alongside a hearty British and European menu. We're talking smoked bacon burgers, chicken souvlaki, pea and courgette gnocchi and a cracking choice of Sunday roasts.
A cosy pub in Borough, The Roebuck is bursting with charm and locally crafted brews. Nestled along Great Dover Street, it's not hard to see why this hidden gem is popular among locals, knocking up comfort food classics and a pretty great roast come Sunday.
With a location already showing its value in Soho, Salt Yard have brought their delicious dining and drinks options to the oldest food market in London. Celebrating the med, you can expect a smart curation of small plates alongside the best in European wines.
One of the most exciting venues in the area, Amazing Grace is a buzzing restaurant bar that promises all kinds of fun events. They host everything from live music and DJ sets to drag shows here, and even bottomless brunches complete with additional entertainment.
This gorgeous space is found inside a former church, featuring stained glass windows, high ceilings and even the original altar. There are killer cocktails available, alongside tasty dishes like Vietnamese fried tofu, aged wagyu burgers and fried chicken bao buns.
If you're on the hunt for cool restaurant bars near London Bridge, Barrafina Borough is really pulling out all the stops. Enjoy slinging back a sherry or negroni before getting stuck in some scrumptious nibbles - we mean olives, almonds and chorizo.
This wine bar in London Bridge is pouring up exquisite vinos in a former potato storehouse. Offering views across the food hall from its scenic terrace, Bedales is a sound spot for an evening of people watching whilst sampling various vines and nibbling on charcuterie boards.
Situated in Borough Yards, Quill Wine Bar is a whimsical wine bar hidden in a railway arch. The interiors are eccentric and higgledy‑piggledy, featuring spiral staircases, chandeliers and exposed brickwork.
They serve a wide range of English wines, as well as bottles from around the world. On the food menu, expect delicious British dishes from chef Rob Wade - formerly of Michelin‑starred Chez Bruce.
Possibly the quirkiest bar in the area, Cahoots Postal Office is an immersive bar that has been transformed into a 1940s post office. You'll enter into a bygone era of ration books, swing music and secret dispatches, which can be accessed through a life-sized postbox.
It features the world's first pneumatic cocktail delivery system, sending your drinks whizzing overhead through air-powered tubes. Each concoction is innovative and delicious, making for a unique night out.
London Bridge station is on the Northern and Jubilee lines, as well as National Rail — making it one of the easiest areas in south London to get to and get home from. Borough tube station (Northern line) is a short walk from Borough Market and puts you right in the heart of the bar scene.
For walk-in drinks, most bars in the area are fine without a reservation — especially earlier in the evening. But Borough is a busy after-work destination and fills up fast on Fridays and Saturdays. If you're going as a group or heading somewhere specific like Swift Borough, booking ahead is strongly recommended.
Yes. The area around Borough Market has good Sunday options — Cahoots Postal Office opens from 2pm on Sundays, and many of the pubs and bars near the market stay open throughout the day. It's worth checking individual venues as hours can be shorter on Sundays than at the weekend.
Very much so. London Bridge is one of the busiest commuter hubs in the city, and the bar scene is built around it — with spots like Swift Borough offering a glossy upstairs bar ideal for post-work spritzes, and the riverside and Borough Yards areas filling up from 5pm on weekday evenings.
