Secret Bars In London

• Location: 5 Ravey Street, Shoreditch, EC2A 4QW
• Highlights: discreet entrance, simple and affordable drinks 
• Price: ££-£££
• What to order: Found Espresso Martini (£13.50)
• Why we recommend: Found boasts great lighting with intimate nooks for you to cosy up in and enjoy a drink. It's ideal for friends catching up over a drink as much as it is date night 

Opened by cocktail master Oskar Klimaszewski, Found is worth the hunt. The swish bar is concealed away underneath 5 Ravey Street in Shoreditch, so head downstairs and through the velvet curtain to discover delicious tipples and a venue of cosy nooks and crannies.

The focus here is on quality rather than quantity, which is why there are just 14 expertly-created cocktails on the menu at this intimate venue. Our favourites include the signature Found Espresso Martini, featuring sotol, licor 43, coffee liqueur, and gomme, as well as teh Corpse Maker, with green chartreuse and triple sec. 

• Location: 35 The Piazza, Covent Garden, WC2E 8BE
• Highlights: live music, late-night dining, underground setting
• Price: £££
• What to order: Purple Rain (£14)
• Why we recommend: hidden beneath Covent Garden's famous piazza, STEREO channels the energy of a downtown New York music bar with the glamour of a Parisian late-night haunt, and we love it for that

After secret bars in Covent Garden? You'll find Stereo tucked away underneath the market, delving out steak, small plates and burgers alongside killer cocktails. Not only that, but there's live music from the house band each night and DJs 'til late.

Cocktails are playful, with signatures like the Purple Rain combining Hayman's London Dry Gin with coconut ube, orgeat and lemon for a silky, slightly tropical serve. The Citrus Dreams is another standout, mixing yuzu, vodka, cranberry and lime into a sharp, refreshing cocktail that's made for kicking off the evening.

• Location: 14-18 Handyside Street, King's Cross, N1C 4DN
• Highlights: 70s-inspired music, late-night bar
• Price: £££
• What to order: picante 
• Why we recommend: we love this subteranean bar for its disco feel, and it really comes alive at night. It comes from the same team behind the audiophile favourite Spiritland, so you know you're in good hands with its sound system and drinks

Is there anything more secret than an underground, late-night cocktail bar? We thought not. Hidden beneath Happy Face Pizza, Supermax in King's Cross is totally unique for its mix of cool basement vibes, Milan-inspired interiors, and a cocktail menu that's all about Italian style and indulgence - with an Italo pop and deep-house playlist to match.

The music and atmosphere here are inspired by the 1970s, from being named after a cult Austrian disco group from the decade to the neon, leather, terrazzo and spectacular disco ball making up the space. Aperitivo hour (5pm to 7pm, Wednesday to Saturday) is recommended too, where you'll find £9 cocktails served alongside free, authentic Italian snacks.

• Location: 4 Kingly Court, Carnaby, Soho, W1F 9RR
• Highlights: 3am closing times, sixties-inspired interiors 
• Price: £££
• What to order: Starving, Hysterical, Naked (£16)
• Why we recommend: this bar is for cocktail lovers who love a narrative with their drink. We think it's also a prime date destination if you're looking to impress, and stay out late into the night 

One of London's most beautiful hidden bars, blink and you *just* might miss Disrepute. Tucked between the hubbub of Carnaby Street and Kingly Court, Disrepute is bringing you history, glamour and stunning cocktails in equal measure.

Descend the secret staircase to enter this wood-panelled hideaway, complete with vaulted ceilings and incredible service. This place is pretty affordable too, especially if you visit during their Aperitivo hour between 4pm and 6pm Monday to Thursday, when cocktails are just £9. Some of our favourite drinks here include the tequila-based Starving, Hysterical, Naked, which also features caramelised pear, lending the drink a real sublte sweetness, and watermelon-flavoured A Pink Traingle is not to be missed either. 

• Location: 33-34 Rathbone Place, Fitzrovia, W1T 1JN
• Highlights: Asian-inspired interiors, late-night cocktails, hidden courtyard
• Price: £££
• What to order: Xiang Martini (£15)
• Why we recommend: inspired by the 1950s Hong Kong romance A World of Suzie Wong, Lucy Wong transports you into a glamorous, lantern-lit hideaway filled with velvet seating, Asian-inspired décor and inventive cocktails

Lucy Wong is a sultry, sophisticated bar in Fitzrovia, taking inspiration from 1950s Hong Kong in its Asian-style artwork, low-hanging lights and elegant atmosphere. As well as delicious Cantonese dishes and sumptuous afternoon tea, you can sip cocktails like the mezcal-based Pomelo Sling or an Eastern Sour with vodka and raspberry, as well as more classic concoctions - to be enjoyed in the pretty venue or in its heated outdoor terrace.

Another standout is the Xiang Martini, which mixes premium vodka with rose-infused lychee liqueur, lychee purée and aromatic bitters for a floral, silky serve, while the Shanghai 75 delivers a sparkling combination of yuzu gin, prosecco and lemongrass syrup.

• Location: 20 Keystone Crescent, King's Cross, N1 9DS
• Highlights: hidden cocktail lounge, late-night opening hours
• Price: £££
• What to order: Keystone Crescent (£13)
• Why we recommend: this tucked-away King's Cross bar feels like one of those places you only hear about through word of mouth. We love the low lighting, creative house cocktails and a playlist-led atmosphere that ramps up as the night goes on

If you're on the hunt for intimate and private places, Keystone Crescent is the perfect members' club to check out. Enjoy a small list of cocktails using homemade mixers at this King's Cross venue, decked out in plush velvet stools, golden decor and floor-length curtains to add a private ambience.

This 50 capacity hideaway is perfect for socialising with other members, promising the exclusive atmosphere without the sky-high price tag - as membership costs just £12 per month. Among the standout signatures is the namesake Keystone Crescent, blending prosecco, elderflower and hibiscus for a light, floral serve that's easy to sip all evening. Elsewhere, the Diablo's Breath brings the heat with tequila, fresh chillies and passionfruit, while the Tropical Sea mixes overproof rum with pineapple, blue curaçao and coconut syrup for a holiday in a glass.

• Location: 42 Northampton Road, Clerkenwell, EC1R 0HU
• Highlights: DJs, tapestry-covered walls and ceiling LED light panels
• Price: ££-£££
• What to order: Hot Honey Margarita (£13.50)
• Why we recommend: what's really fun about Bourne & Hollingsworth is that their drinks are made using ingredients grown in their indoor edible garden, as well as produce foraged by the bar team

Look behind the paintings, search a few of the bookcases, and you might stumble across the disguised bar at Bourne and Hollingsworth Buildings. Harking back to the secret basement haunts of years gone by, Below & Hidden serves a variety of different cocktails and potent drinks.

This is an intimate, living room-style space that's covered in cool patterns and red lighting, with comfy sofas and small tables to gather around.

• Location: 13a Gerrard Street, Chinatown, Soho, W1D 5PS
• Highlights: music-led nights, hidden Chinatown door
• Price: £££
• What to order: Tumeric Is The New Black (£14)
• Why we recommend: you'll find this gem hidden behind an unmarked door in the heart of Chinatown. Enterting feels like a cinematic version of 1920s nightlife, reimagined through modern sound, design and a seriously ambitious cocktail programme

A hidden bar? It's got to be the Experimental Cocktail Club. With no signage and a deliberately understated entrance, it's easy to miss - but inside, a fully reimagined two-storey space reveals itself, inspired by 1920s speakeasies and Chinatown's visual identity.

Expect dragon-scale patterns woven into carpets and upholstery, bamboo accents and rich hues of purple and brown, all designed to slow the pace and draw focus to the drinks and music. Cocktails range from classics to creative signatures like Turmeric is the New Black (vodka, chamomile and Champagne) or the clarified rum-based Kota Ternate. 

• Location: 5 Clipstone Street, Fitzrovia, W1W 6BB
• Highlights: speakeasy atmosphere, live music, creative cocktails
• Price: £££
• What to order: Fizz-rovian (£15)
• Why we recommend: hidden beneath Fitzrovia's streets, The Lucky Pig delivers all the hallmarks of a classic speakeasy - dim lighting, live jazz, velvet seating and expertly made cocktails - we love this spot for a little date night drink 

Nestled in the heart of the capital is The Lucky Pig, dubbed 'a cocktail bar that rocks' thanks to its excellent choice of music paired with exquisite, bespoke cocktails and British-sourced nibbles. The signature cocktail list is extensive, balancing playful creations with rich, indulgent serves. The standout Fizz-rovian mixes vodka, St-Germain, Chambord, rose syrup and prosecco for a floral, sparkling cocktail that feels suitably glamorous.

Take your date and cosy up in one of their plush booths, or enjoy a casual evening listening to live bands and DJs. And if you fancy having a go at shaking up some drinks yourself? Then try out their cocktail masterclasses, which have been voted several times as the best ones in the city.

• Location: One Hundred Shoreditch Hotel, 100 Shoreditch High Street, E1 6JQ
• Highlights: creative cocktails, live DJs
• Price: £££
• What to order: C.R.E.A.M Margarita (£17)
• Why we recommend: Seed Library uses new and innovative ingredients to create new takes on the classics. With warm design and relaxed charm, this place is the ideal spot to wind down after a long day or turn up with an evening of great drinks and great company 

The latest cocktail bar from the award-winning Mr Lyan and team, Seed Library sits in a super-cool basement beneath One Hundred Shoreditch. An all-night bar with an incredible roster of live DJs, this place serves up world-class cocktails and laid-back vibes. 

With an intentionally lo-fi way of cocktail making, the menu focuses on heritage ingredients inspired by classic serves. There's also a handpicked selection of beers and wines, plus nibbles to pair with every sip.

• Location: 65 Rivington Street, Shoreditch, EC2A 3QQ
• Highlights: Lewis Carroll-themed interiors, Colloohpoly menu
• Price: £££
• What to order: Great Eastern Street (£14)
• Why we recommend: we love the boldness of these drinks, and how they embrace each new menu theme wholeheartedly. Since its conception in 2008, this bar has been executing fine flavours with creativity and flair

A mish-mash of quirky features and cool surfaces, Callooh Callay in Shoreditch 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 cocktail bar for sure, you can sip concoctions like the City Road, made using ginger-infused Ford's gin, here.

They also offer hard shakes for those of you with a sweet tooth, as well as scrumptious small plates such as homemade mini sliders or Buffalo chicken tenders.

• Location: Charing Cross Theatre, Villiers Street, Charing Cross, WC2N 6NL
• Highlights: live piano bar, theatre crowd, late-night sing-alongs
• Price: ££
• What to order: pint of Eazy Hazy (£7.55)
• Why we recommend: hidden beneath Charing Cross Theatre, The Players Bar is a late-night piano bar where performers, audiences and theatre lovers spill in after curtain call for spontaneous sing-alongs, live music and properly lively crowd interaction

Nestled under the arches of Charing Cross Theatre, The Players Bar is the West End's original piano bar. This place has been around for 35 years, promising late-night live music throughout the week.

Their piano sessions last from 10pm until 2am, while Wednesdays promise a musical theatre singalong. Plus, they've got some very affordable drinks on offer, with pints starting from around £7.15 and glasses of white wine from £6.70.

• Location: The Rabbit Hole, 168 Clerkenwell Road, Clerkenwell, EC1R 5DD
• Highlights: interactive games, freshly-made ingredients
• Price: ££
• What to order: The Jungle Bird (£12.50)
• Why we recommend: with over 140 classic cocktail recipes, The Rabbit Hole is on a mission to revive cocktail history and educate the public of forgotten classics - serving up delicious, handcrafted drinks along the way

A quirky and eclectic cocktail bar, The Rabbit Hole merges the old and new age of bartending. Its signature menu doubles as an interactive, playable board-game, to keep you entertained as you sip your signature serves. 

All sorts here is created from scratch, with homemade wines and infusions, purees and syrups crafted from fresh fruits and herbs. With super sophisticated private spaces, this place is also great for work dos, anniversaries and all kinds of celebration.

• Location: 310c Earls Court Road, Earls Court, SW5 9BA
• Highlights: live music, theatrical experience
• Price: £££-££££
• What to order: Thomas 'Tommy' Shelby (£14.50)
• Why we recommend: when booking online, you get assigned a 'case', which adds to the immersive detective element of this bar. We really love how it takes you back in time, with 20s-dressed actors and cleverly named drinks with prices named 'bounties'

Nestled in Earls Court, Evans & Peel Detective Agency is a 1920s-style speakeasy, where bootlegged booze is shaken, mixed and stirred into tasty cocktails. You'll have to speak to a private detective before getting to this place, booking an appointment beforehand, as they can't let just anyone in.

Make your way into this candlelit, clandestine hangout to indulge in live jazz and swing music, as well as American-style bites. Drinks include the Thomas 'Tommy' Shelby, which includes tequila infused with basil (this is a strong favourite), as well as the 'world's best old fashioned' (well, that's what people say). 

• Location: 8 Broadwick Street, Soho, W1F 8HN
• Highlights: secret entrance, intimate drinking den 
• Price: £££
• What to order: Tongue Twister (£15) 
• Why we recommend: Basement Sate doesn't scream and shout about who it is, and lets the drinks do the talking, which is exactly why we love it. The brilliance here is all in the details of the drinks 

Bringing a little Parisian chic to the heart of Soho, Basement Sate is a dark, sophisticated bar full of intimate spaces. This secret gem is the decadent place to hit for your palate pleasers and divine dishes, as top pastry chef Dorian Picard is at the helm to bring you the best in dessert plates.

As for the bar? Expect hand-crafted sips like the hibiscus-infused Tongue Twister or a bourbon-based Lion's Tail. You can even take cocktail-making classes here, if you fancy creating some of these beautiful blends yourself.

• Location: 15-16 Gerrard Street, Soho, W1D 6JE
• Highlights: three floors of drinks, a hidden door entry
• Price: £££-££££
• What to order: Ming Fashioned (£16)
• Why we recommend: the cocktail menu is split into four parts, including dry options: Apothecary & Peony, Attic & Academy, and Modern Classics With A Twist, which we love. You can take your pick depending on how bold you're feeling that night 

Opium is a secret cocktail bar in the heart of Chinatown. They are London's leading purveyor of seasonal Asian-themed libations, using ingredients sourced locally in the Soho area. Concealed behind an ordinary little door, it's perfect for a cool and unique place to drink in London.

Opium would certainly impress a date too, thanks to its sultry red lighting, intimate seating areas and cool concoctions, like the Ming River Sichuan baijiu and Chinotto liqueur-based Ming Fashioned, which you can pair with tasty dim sum. And for private hire? Their Peony bar is a stunning, secret option to boot.

• Location: 32 Goodge Street, Fitzrovia, W1T 2QJ
• Highlights: inventive cocktails, hidden basement setting
• Price: £££
• What to order: Broken Heel (£14.50)
• Why we recommend: the entirely seated service, dim lighting and eccentric interiors make it one of London's most intimate secret bars, while the ever-changing 'Iconique' menu cleverly reimagines legendary cocktails with modern techniques and sustainable ingredients

Nestled beneath the buzzing streets of Fitzrovia, you'll find a cool, collected cocktail bar: Reverend J W Simpson. A dimly lit drinking den with stripped-back wallpaper and the building's original tiles, it provides the ultimate backdrop for a night of imbibing, whether it's slinky dates or catch-ups with pals.

The seasonal 'Iconique' menu pays tribute to famous drinks and bartending legends, reinventing classics with the bar team's inventive flair. Standouts include the Broken Heel, mixing reposado tequila with melonade and a parmesan crisp, alongside the Pomala, a refreshing blend of tequila, pomelo and pink grapefruit soda with a Tajín rim. If nothing on the menu takes your fancy, the bartenders are more than happy to whip up an off-menu classic, too.

• Location: 77 Dean Street, W1D 3SH
• Highlights: Amsterdam-inspired speakeasy, late-night DJs
• Price: £££
• What to order: Hot Honey Highball (£15.50)
• Why we recommend: tucked beneath a Georgian townhouse in the heart of Soho, Zum Barbarossa brings an Amsterdam-born speakeasy energy to London's late-night drinking scene. With vaulted arches, Art Nouveau influences, and a soundtrack of deep house from resident DJs, it's a great underground party space

Hidden beneath a 1730s Georgian townhouse in Soho lies Zum Barbarossa - a secret bar that's all style, no pretension. Inspired by Amsterdam's underground scene and Parisian lounge aesthetics, this basement speakeasy fuses elite cocktails, deep house music, and intimate late-night energy.

Sip on a banana and pineapple daiquiri, a hot honey highball, or a rose lychee martini while DJs spin beneath the arched ceilings. It's the kind of secret you'll want to share… but only with the right people.

• Location: SOMA, 14 Denman St, Soho, W1D 7HJ
• Highlights: cosy lounges, Indian-inspired cocktails
• Price: ££
• What to order: Hibiscus Hanky Panky (£14)
• Why we recommend: with its elegant interiors, truly creative cocktails and sleek private areas, SOMA is perfect for post-work drinks, long-overdue catch-ups and all kinds of private party

A modern and minimalistic take on the basement speakeasy, SOMA is tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Piccadilly Circus. From the team behind Kricket, this place serves up elegant Indian-inspired drinks.  

Its gorgeous, nine-metre, stainless steel bar is the perfect spot to sip hand-crafted cocktails. Expect sensational signature serves and creative takes on the classics, from the chicory espresso martini to the chaat margarita.

• Location: 21 Borough High Street, London Bridge, SE1 9SE
• Highlights: seasonal cocktails, intimate speakeasy feel, Irish coffee
• Price: ££-£££
• What to order: Phantom (£16) (upstairs), The 4th Gentleman (downstairs)
• Why we recommend: just moments from Borough Market, Swift Borough combines the polished cocktail expertise the Swift bars are known for with a more relaxed, neighbourhood atmosphere. Its tucked-away interiors, exceptional drinks and generous happy hour make it one of south London's best-kept secrets

Underneath Swift Borough, you'll find a sexy speakeasy, The Back Pocket, that oozes date night vibes with its cosy booth seating and stools gathered round an intimate bar. Get ready for low lighting, intimate nooks and one helluva drinks menu - think all kinds of deliciously creative cocktails, beers and wines.

Even better? They serve seasonal market-inspired cocktails from £7 during happy hour. The standout Jaguar mixes Del Maguey Vida Mezcal with Lillet Rosé, fino sherry and watermelon for a smoky yet refreshing serve, while the Caprini combines Belvedere vodka, champagne and grapefruit into something bright and lively.

• Location: 8-9, Hoxton Square, Shoreditch, N1 6NU
• Highlights: world-class mixology, cosy snugs
• Price: ££
• What to order: Bootlegger (£9.50)
• Why we recommend: small yet mighty, Happiness Forgets may only have capacity for 50 people, but it's a world-renowned spot that consistently ranks among the best in the business 

Happiness Forgets is a small and perfectly formed basement bar on Hoxton Square. At the bottom of a discreet stairwell, it's all cushioned benches, candle-light and blood-red walls. 

To accompany the quirky furniture and comfy atmosphere, there's a sophisticated 40s/50s rare groove soundtrack, packing in obscure jazz, pop, jazz fusion, R&B and soul. Over on the menu, you can expect expect all kinds of top tier spirits and original cocktails, like the Perfect Storm, Ward Eight, Tantris Sidecar and Bootlegger.

• Location: Hippodrome Casino, Cranbourn Street, Leicester Square, WC2H 7JH
• Highlights: hidden speakeasy-style bar, small and large cocktail sizes
• Price: £££
• What to order: Soixante-Quinze (£16)
• Why we recommend: tucked inside the Hippodrome Casino in Leicester Square, Archive & Myth feels like a secret within a secret. We think it feels like a cocktail lab and theatrical tasting room all wrapped up into one brilliant, award-winning den 

Archive and Myth is a hidden gem beneath Leicester Square's iconic Hippodrome Casino, offering an award-winning cocktail experience like no other. Created by the team behind Magic Mike Live in collaboration with renowned mixologist Jack Scotti - formerly crowned World Class Bartender of the Year - this bar serves up a unique cocktail menu in both half-size and full-size options.

From the Mizuwari, a Japanese whiskey blend with young fir tip and yuzushu, to the intriguing Absinthe Frappe, with absinthe, condensed milk, and mint, there's a drink for every taste. After exploring Central London, Archive and Myth is the perfect spot to indulge in a boujee tipple. Pair your drink with delicious Chinese dishes like salt and pepper prawns, steamed garlic scallops, and BBQ pork buns, thanks to their dining partner, Chop Chop. It's a refined experience for cocktail lovers and food enthusiasts alike.

• Location: 34-35 Southampton Street, Covent Garden, WC2E 7HG
• Highlights: cracking cocktails, dreamy decor, live music
• Price: ££
• What to order: All Killa No Spice (£12)
• Why we recommend: with walls adorned with bespoke art pieces by the amazing artist JJ Adams, a varied and exciting live music schedule and truly mouthwatering cocktails, Eve is much more than a basement bar  

Step away from the hustle and bustle of Covent Garden into the dark and seductive den that is Eve. Here, discerning drinkers can enjoy an array of innovative cocktails in stylish comfort.

Brought to you by chef Adam Handling of The Frog by Adam Handling and The Frog E1, you can expect bold flavours, artistic garnishes and some of the best DJs London has to offer.

• Location: London Marriott Hotel, Grosvenor Square, Mayfair, W1K 6JP
• Highlights: 1920s-inspired, speakeasy experience 
• Price: £££-££££
• What to order: Gatsby Gorge
• Why we recommend: the cocktail list here takes you from the 1700s all the way to the modern era of drinking, where the Penicillin reigns supreme. This award-winning drinking spot really leans into the history of bartending, so it's an educational visit as well as delicious 

Located in a converted hotel lobby in the corner of Grosvenor Square, The Luggage Room requires entry through a hidden 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.

Expect chic marble flooring and swish leather sofas to relax in, and this spot is open until 2am on weekends - making it perfect for those late-night sips.

• Location: 129 City Road, Old Street, EC1V 1JB
• Highlights: live music
• Price: £££-£££
• What to order: Singapore Sling (£15)
• Why we recommend: Nightjar excels in creativity and craftmanship, so it's no wonder it's the proud owner of a Pin from the Pinnacle Guide. We love how the menu takes us through the history of the cocktail, with a side of flair 

Nightjar is a live swing and jazz speakeasy with creative cocktails and a tasty small plates menu to boot. A unique haunt masked between a chicken shop and a newsagent in Shoreditch, there's nothing bog standard about this prohibition-inspired nook.

Expect innovation and invention by the glassful - we recommend the El Presidente for a rum and whisky-based concoction, or the Singapore Sling for something uber refreshing (it's even got cherry beer in it). 

• Location: 29a, Wentworth Street, E1 7TB
• Highlights: curated playlist, classic serves
• Price: ££
• What to order: Avant Gardener (£10)
• Why we recommend: set in a former suit tailor's store room, Discount Suit Company serves up classically inspired cocktails to a soundtrack of Northern Soul and vintage rock n roll.

Sitting in the shadow of The Gherkin lies the Discount Suit Company. An intimate cocktail bar near London's famous Brick Lane, it brings the vibes and style of New York-neighbourhood bars to the city. 

Expect an eclectic mix of fellow drinks, from bankers and tourists to members of the local fashion community. Needless to say, it takes its mixology seriously, handcrafting signature serves and classic concoctions from scratch.

• Location: Chelsea Cloisters, Sloane Avenue, Chelsea, SW3 3DW
• Highlights: Prohibition-style speakeasy, immersive 1920s theme, hidden entry
• Price: £££
• What to order: Take a Leaf from Uncle Barts (£16)
• Why we recommend: we love that you'll find the entrance behind an unassuming door in Chelsea Cloisters. Barts is one of London's original speakeasy-style cocktail bars, transporting you straight into a theatrical 1920s Prohibition world

Hidden away inside the Chelsea Cloisters, Barts brings speakeasy energy to South Kensington. After giving the password at the unassuming hatch, you'll step back into the 1920, tufted seats, vintage bric-a-brac and all. 

Whether you settle into the candlelit living room or the foliage-filled secret garden, you'll be treated to some theatre along with your drinks. Expect hand-crafted classic cocktails along with signatures set ablaze, poured from teapots and hidden in paper bags.

• Location: 12-16 Artillery Lane, Shoreditch, E1 7LS
• Highlights: fridge door entrance, playful cocktails
• Price: £££
• What to order: Jalisco Sunset
• Why we recommend: The Mayor of Scaredy Cat Town is a solid date option if you're looking to surprise someone right at the last minute. Sure, you might think you're going to The Breakfast Club, but wait until the fridge door opens to reveal a dimly-lit staircase spiralling down to a drinking den of dreams 

The Breakfast Club has a secret... So if you're in town, you should really visit the Mayor of Scaredy Cat Town. Cool-as-you-like, this cocktail-heavy secret is perhaps the most discreet bar on 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.

And once you're inside? Expect signature cocktails like the Jalisco Sunset or a peanut butter daiquiri, paired with tasty small plates or even served in bottomless brunch form.

• Location: 136 Shaftesbury Avenue, Chinatown, W1D 5EZ
• Highlights: creative cocktails, flatbreads and skewers
• Price: ££
• What to order: Ranch Water (£12)
• Why we recommend: all exposed plaster, moody lighting and fine food, Below Stone Nest is the dream ticket for a cocktail escape in the city

Below Stone Nest is a hidden gem beneath the iconic Stone Nest, a Grade II-listed former Welsh chapel turned experimental arts hub. This place has serious calibre, totally reimagined by renowned designer Jermaine Gallacher, with the Boxer brothers at the helm.

Together, they've put together a highball-focused drinks menu and delicious small plates that include the likes of grilled broccoli with pickled carrot and lemongrass sambal, octopus with Nocellara olives, or smoked mackerel pâté with cucumber crackers. To quench your thirst, try the tequila and jalapeno-infused Ranch Water or the sensationally sweet Peach Rickey.