Secret Bars in London

Hidden in the depths of East London and producing some of the coolest vintage inspired vibes in the city is none other than The Bootlegger. Head on down for stunning cocktails in a retro, Prohibition themed enviroment.

Somewhere previously closed to the public, the Victorian Bath House is doused in secrecy making it one of London's hidden places to drink. Running by appointment only, this exclusive bar will take you back to the decadence of the Victorian era with swathes of rich fabric, vintage furnishings and some of the finest snacks and drinks in London. 

Hidden off the busy streets of Brixton is a door, and beyond that door is one of the best bar and restaurants in South London. Known for cocktails, parties, great food and a spectacular Sunday roast, the Beast of Brixton welcomes any savvy enough to find it. And with a menu packed with delicious street food and wonderful cocktails, you'll be silly to miss it.

A pad of '70s swag and muted colours makes it into our listings for some of the top secret bars in London. Become a member of this private club and discover Keystone Crescent in all it's vintage, swinging glory. Find the grey door, enter the personal door code on the keypad and recline in the cosy, intimate atmosphere with a good old fashioned hard-laced drink. 

Tucked away on Roman Road, NOLA is an internationally-acclaimed venue inspired by the tastes, sights and spirit of New Orleans. Bringing some Louisiana luxe to London, NOLA is a cosy hangout of deep green leather booths and bartending artistry. Think tailored cocktails, Creole and Cajun cuisine and a genuinely unique ambience at this tip-top secret bar in London.

Nightjar Bar is a live swing and jazz speakeasy with inventive cocktails and a tasty food menu to boot, close to Old Street station. A unique haunt hidden between a chicken shop and a newsagent, there's nothing bog standard about this prohibition inspired nook. On finding this hidden London bar, expect innovation and invention by the glassful. 

When it comes to hidden bars, this secret one within Merchant House of Bow Lane has it all. A private bartender, your own music selection and even the chance to shake up your own quirky concoctions.

Expect an eccentric blend of retro furnishings, plush textiles and funky colourways at this Shoreditch special. A mish-mash of quirky features and cool surfaces, Callooh Callay has a comic book style menu for you to peruse  at your pleasure and a secret Jub Jub room, hidden behind a wardrobe. Very Narnia, we know. A one of a kind unique cocktail bar in London for sure.  

Tracking down that perfect prohibition party was no easy feat, until the Candlelight Club came striding into the spotlight. They'll keep their cards close to their chest right up until the day of the event, but we're free to tell you to expect bespoke cocktails, vintage DJ sets and live jazz music in a buzzing venue lit entirely by candles. This is one of London's secret bars best kept in the 20s.

Tucked beneath The Breakfast Club in London Bridge, Call Me Mr Lucky is nothing but cocktail supreme. A sassy looking speakeasy with neon lit nooks in abundance, Call Me Mr Lucky is the city's patron saint of all things liquid as innovation and invention are the pinnacle of their entire, basement orientated, eclectic ethos. She's a hidden place to drink in London alright, but worth every search effort. 

This private members club is taking you to a time of slinky circus acts, show-stopping cabaret performers and uplifting live music. Experience some of London's best performers; from vintage burlesque queens to showgirl extraordinaires.

Look behind the paintings, search a few of the bookcases and you might stumble across the hidden bar at Bourne and Hollingsworth Buildings. Harking back to the secret basement bars of old, Below & Hidden serves its guests a variety of different cocktails and potent drinks. Sink back into a cosy chair and enjoy all the carefree vibes on offer. 

Don't be confused by the stripped back walls and candlelit tables, because Gremio is far from holy. In fact, there's about to be a whole lot of sinning as the DJs spin the tunes while you soak up tapas and cocktails.

Shrouded in mystery is The Aviary Bar on Little Portland Street. A particularly wacky interior, including swanky red booths, a huge aquarium behind the bar and ivy hanging from the grotto-style walls make this one quirky place to drink in London. Boasting an impressive selection of world beers, spirits, wine and champagne this will be a drinking experience like no other.

Following on from the stellar work of its multi-award winning sister venue, Oriole brings an oasis of warmth, mystery and magic to London. Leave the stressful streets of the capital behind and immerse yourself in a truly exotic experience at this hidden bar in London. There's a vibrant live music programme, tasty plates and a cocktail list showing a penchant for the finest ingredients.

The bar named after a talented jazz collective and set under the throngs of Broadway Market makes for a perfect hideaway as one of London's secret places to drink. A truly small but perfectly formed space promises low ceilings, ambient supping and a bar well versed in the art of the class Julep - because it wouldn't be Kansas any other way. 

Hidden under James Cochran's restaurant, this secret London bar is quite the find. Bring your own bottle of the hard stuff and watch it get fashioned into all manner of fabulous cocktails at this cool Central London speakeasy.

Located in a converted luggage room, if you want to get in, you'll need to find the unassuming black door before telling your name to the person on the other side who slides open the hatch (very secret agent style). Inside, you'll be rewarded with a chic and authentic 1920s bar complete with jazz music and a huge ice block for carving off into each perfectly mixed cocktail. Now that shouts cool secret London bar.

The Breakfast Club has a secret... So if you're in town, you should really pay the Mayor a visit. Cool-as-you-like, this cocktail-heavy secret is perhaps the most discreet bar in this list. Ask to see 'The Mayor' after your delicious dinner, and you might just find what you're looking for in the fridge. Yes, the fridge. We'll say no more as we are talking about secret bars in London after all. 

Find the gold plaque on the wall and descend into somewhere that is 'not a brothel', we repeat is 'NOT a brothel'. This secret gem in London is the decadent place to hit for your palate pleasers and your divine dishes. Top pastry chef Dorian Picard is at the helm to bring you the best in dessert plates while the bar tinkles with hand crafted cocktails.

Found above the cool Fulham restaurant-bar Goat DINE, is The Chelsea Prayer Room. Oh find it if you can, for a secret London speakeasy style bar that serves only unbranded drinks offers quite the experience.

Step through the opulent looking glass mirror and enter a coveted world of decadent debauchery, expertly mixed drinks and lavish decor. Victorian furniture, gorgeous cocktails...and a secret room? This unique hidden bar in London is a completely original venue exuding charm, fantasy and an intriguing ambiance. Best to keep this one hush hush.

Hidden beneath Blues Kitchen Shoreditch is Moonshine Minnie's, where you can enjoy an amazing selection of whiskey-based cocktails, as well as southern American bar snacks and a soundtrack exclusively led by female RnB artists.

Hidden within a second-hand bookshop which is hidden behind an old laundrette, this quirky karaoke spot is one of London's best secret bars. Find it and you're in for a treat as it promises one of the most unique karaoke experiences in London.

Opened by cocktail sumpremo Oskar Klimaszewski, Found is worth the hunt. The cocktail bar is hidden away in Shoreditch, head downstairs and through the velvet curtain to discover delicious tipples and a venue of cosy nooks and crannies.

Ruby's bar in Dalston is a unique place to drink in London hidden away down a blackened door way. You will be enchanted and charmed by the buzzing atmosphere, free-flowing cocktails served in 1940s Manchester milk bottles, and the shabby chic, prohibition-style decor. Sup on some sumptuous drinks (should you be so lucky to find it!) in this vintage-feel space. 

Now we don't want to ruin the surprise here, but the Jam Tree in Clapham has a special secret that seriously needs discovering. Locate the fairly innocuous looking bookshelf and we'll leave the rest up to you ... but let's just say that a stylish private bar complete with ping pong table and special access to the patio garden isn't too far away. If behind a bookcase isn't a secret place to drink in London, we don't know what is.