Metal heads and hell raisers who've come to party in London, we salute you. We've listed the rock bars in London that play metal, punk, classic rock and heavier-than-hell tracks.
From dive bars and classic haunts to historic plots and ground-breaking gig venues, we've left no rock unturned when it comes to the best drum-plying, riff-licking haunts in the city.
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Are you a fan of the 70s rock scene? Be transported to the glamour and hedonism of Blame Gloria, where the drinks are flowing the Led Zepp is blasting and the interiors look like they've come straight out of a vintage magazine.
Venn Street Records is a vinyl-clad rock and roll drinkers den that's quickly become one of Clapham's most popular hangouts. Whether you're there for a gig night or just fancy a few drinks with a banging soundtrack, you can't go wrong with this South London staple.
Colours is a jack of all trades, with live music spanning pop, funk and rock (of course). Join them for a fun-filled night out in Hackney and you'll get to dance the night away to some of the city's hottest rock stars in one of the area's most Insta-worthy spaces.
Once known as the Flamingo Club in 1960, O'Neill's Wardour Street claims its fame from the Night Train and David Bowie shooting his MTV video 'Blue Jean' within their walls. Perfectly perched in the heart of Soho, this restaurant bar is an essential respite with an added dash of rock history.
If you like to stay ahead of rock music trends, Moth Club is the place to be. Frequently housing some of the hottest gig nights in London, this unique rock bar will always have you recommending the best new bands to your mates.
A charming local boozer in Dalston, The Victoria is famed for its live music programme that showcases the city's best rock talent. Owned and operated by Jaguar Shoes, the pub rounds its nights off nicely with an array of classic cocktails, locally brewed beer and more behind the bar.
The Star In Shoreditch is a rowdy joint that totes classic interiors and live bands alike. From the cheap main bar with magazine-plastered walls and animal skull chandeliers, to the basement gig venue for bands and DJs alike, the bar retains the cool air of rock 'n' roll from its home in Shoreditch.
Nights at Gigi's are usually a raucous affair, fuelled by stellar cocktails and hair-whipping rock n roll. Whether you're craving a live music fix or fancy something a little different on an East London night out, these guys are a top choice.
You say rock in Camden, we say Underworld. It has a great history of big acts behind it and offers a wide range of live music from underground acts to metal names, and breakcore evenings. From The Ataris to Killswitch Engage, if they've played in London, they've been here.
Slim Jims Liquor store in Angel is one of the classic rock bars in London following the principles of LA's Sunset Strip; booze, birds, Guns and Roses. The juke box is the epicentre of this rock n' roll quake playing classic rock music such as AC/DC, Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin.
If you need a lot of space when you head bang then this Friday night club "Sin City" is where to go. Having had such acts as The Clash, Sid Vicious and The Killers grace its stage, it truly affords itself some great company.
Aces and Eights Saloon Bar in Kentish Town is an amazing bar that always delivers, be that on cracking dive interiors or a plush riff-heavy playlist. With an impressive bar area composed of a strong range of beer, bourbon and various cocktails, it can all be enjoyed to the sound rock tunes.
This hip East End boozer puts on cutting edge London rock gigs and underground music nights. Stacks of DJs and live bands are on throughout the week at this two storey Mecca for the bohemian Shoreditch crowd looking for the next legendary band.
This trendy and unique live music venue in Camden offers a unique selection of rock, metal, jazz, ska and plenty of other nights to satisfy your musical taste buds. Alongside this, the pub is a real classic boozer at heart with cool decor, delicious beer and plenty of music paraphernalia.
The city's rock story is deeply tied to specific neighbourhoods: Soho and its surrounding streets were the epicentre of the 1960s and 70s scene, with venues like the Marquee Club on Wardour Street hosting early gigs from The Who, Jimi Hendrix, and David Bowie. Denmark Street — just off Charing Cross Road — served as the UK's Tin Pan Alley, lined with recording studios and music publishers that shaped British rock for decades. Camden later became the spiritual home of punk and alternative rock in the 1980s and 90s, with venues like the Electric Ballroom and the Dublin Castle launching countless careers. That rich heritage is still very much alive today across London's rock bars and live music venues.
A rock bar typically plays a broad mix of classic and contemporary rock — think everything from The Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin through to Foo Fighters, Arctic Monkeys, and indie rock — in a relaxed bar setting, often with a jukebox, live bands, or a DJ. A metal bar is more genre-specific, focusing on heavier subgenres like heavy metal, thrash, doom, and black metal, and tends to attract a more dedicated, genre-focused crowd.
Camden is London's undisputed rock heartland and has one of the highest concentrations of rock bars in the city. The Black Heart on Camden High Street is arguably the best metal bar in London, with a lively pub on the ground floor and an upstairs venue hosting metal, indie, and punk bands most nights of the week.
Rock bars make for a brilliant birthday night out — particularly for groups who want something with more atmosphere and personality than a standard cocktail bar. Slim Jim's Liquor Store in Angel is a perennial favourite for birthday groups, with its LA Sunset Strip-inspired interiors, classic rock jukebox, and late-night energy.
