Southbank Bars

Located in the heart of Southbank's bustling BFI, Benugo Bar and Kitchen is frequented by movie lovers, liquid loungers and city newbies alike. Split between two bold drinking and dining spaces, it wastes no time in making punters feel comfortable with library-inspired interiors and British plates.

Sun out? Grab yourself a deliciously quirky cocktail and head to The Refinery's impressive terrace; laden with deckchairs and relaxing vibes. The venue has you covered from breakfast to dinner with fresh, seasonal fare and a late licence at the weekend to get you dancing. 

From the bright decor through to the affordable and vegetarian-friendly plates, Rosa's Thai Cafe in London Bridge is perfect for a pit stop. Nestled just a 6-minute walk from London Bridge station, it's a vibrant place to graze on delicious dishes before checking out the sights of Southbank.  

Choose from a huge selection of excellent wines and tuck into full-flavoured Spanish-influenced dishes and tapas at this Southbank restaurant bar. Ideal for after-work drinks, date night or catching up with friends.

Beer Hawk's craft beer and bottle shop is certainly one of Southbank's finest bars. With a plethora of beery events to take part in, over 120 bottles in the fridge and 12 beers on tap, it's a haven for all of the city's beer-lovers and a great place to find your new favourite brew. 

There are stunning views, then there's this. The Founders Arms offers perfect riverside drinks by the Thames from its large patio area. Tuck into an ice-cold pint while watching the world drift by in the summer or wrap up in a blanket and enjoy spiced mulled cider during the winter months.

Originally belonging to World War II artist Feliks Topolski, this haunt was once an arts studio, and has now been transformed to a wholly place to drink in Southbank. Boasting Eastern European dishes alongside a selection of arts and music events, Topolski really is a unique bar and restaurant.

Located in the BFI on Southbank, this modern restaurant is the perfect place for a meal after a walk along the river, a trip to the theatre or the cinema. Stop by sample the extensive drinks list, including cocktails, wine and spirits, in the sleek restaurant or outdoor terrace.

Head over to the Royal Festival Hall where this unique bar and restaurant serves up a stunning selection of plates from brunch through dinner, alongside a decadent drinks list of wines and cocktails, and some of the very best views in the city.

A stone's throw from the Tate Modern, the Bankside branch of the Camino family is blessed not just by fabulous food and cocktails, but also with a large outdoor terrace that's ideal for a drink by the Thames. Plus, there's live DJs every Friday, and Bottomless Tapas and mimosas every weekend.

Located just seconds from the water's edge, Mulberry Bush is a trusty gastropub for all occasions. Pop in for seasonal foods and ever-changing specials, with a first-rate of choice of beers, as well as a rotating guest ale list to provide a little something for everyone.

Black Sheep on Southbank stands out from the crowd thanks to its wonderful retro-meets modern interior, with nods to Banksy and retro gaming, and buzzing atmosphere. Join them for robust brews, quirky cocktails and a menu of freshly baked goods after having a wander.

Just a few minutes walk from the London eye, this quirky restaurant stays open until late, with a £5 offering on selected drinks post-watershed. With its stunning interiors of delicate cherry blossoms, tasty dim sum and drinks at those prices, it's a key contender for one of Southbank's best bars. 

Cavernous and bringing industrial cool, Sama Bankside is a fun all-day and all-night spot on the Southbank. Tuck into comfort food dishes, from Jerk inspired Caribbean chicken through to fish and chips, perfect when washed down with one of their signature cocktails.

Banh Bao Brothers is a modern Vietnamese tapas restaurant, decked out with low hanging cherry blossoms and pink neon lighting. Serving a selection of small plates, from summer rolls to chicken pho, and open until 11pm, this is the perfect spot for some late-night feasting.