Weird and Wonderful Bars in London

Inconspicuously located along Chinatown, Opium is an opulent dim sum parlour and cocktail bar that knocks up a stunning selection of theatrical tipples. Track it down and immediately reap your rewards, with three floors of cocktails, food, nooks and crannies awaiting.

This emporium of oddity - be it human, animal, vegetable or mineral - is a glorious insight into the stranger things in life. The Last Tuesday Societ showcases brilliantly bizarre taxidermy and trinkets along with a number of absinthe cocktails that will put hairs on your chest.

Aromas, fogs, airs, foams and food. These are just some of the things that Purl will manipulate as they seek to create the ultimate multi-sensory beverage from their Mayfair HQ. Retreat to one of their cosy alcoves and find out how they're getting on.

Boasting a taxidermy and Wiccan theme throughout, the Hand of Glory is one of London's most weird and wonderful pubs. More than just its decor, this pub is renowned for serving a fantastic selection of the best ciders around.

From the secret room in a wardrobe through to the street art cocktail menu, Callooh Callay is all about the unusual. The quirky Shoreditch bar has got date night vibes written all over it, with intimate nooks to curl up in and a drinks menu that will have you swooning.

London's weirdest bars? Considering that the entrance to this one is via a Smeg fridge and you need to know the password to be admitted, we'd say that The Mayor Of Scaredy Cat Town is up there. Once in, you'll find a captivating underground drinking space and delicious cocktails.

Shaking up a menu of globally-inspired cocktails, this watering hole is taking you on a trip across Europe, Asia, Africa and The Americas. Add in its menagerie of vintage-inspired spaces and live swing bands and it's not hard to see why Oriole is seen as one of London's most wonderful bars.

Looking for weird and wonderful places to drink? London Cocktail Club is a must-visit, serving up their popular concoctions in a themed setting. The Clapham location is dedicated to the movies, featuring a Star Wars Room, Titanic neons, and Pulp Fiction nods.

Hackney Funhouse is giving you the chance to live out your mad chemist dreams, but with a boozy twist. ABQ is a fully-immersive cocktail experience that will have you shaking, mixing and cooking up some seriously stunning molecular libations.

Turn up the volume on quirky cocktails and '70s chic at Bobby Fitzpatrick. The North London cocktail bar specialises in all things retro with vintage wallpaper, signed photographs and a drinks list that's inspired by lost loves.

When it comes to a unique night out in London, we highly doubt you've tried anything quite like Flight Club. Not only the perfect place to catch up on pizza, cocktails and brunch should the weekend take you, book an oche and get down to some serious darts action alongside drinks. 

A gorgeous spot in the centre of all the action, The Bloomsbury Club Bar is mixing up heady drinks in a seriously swoon-worthy setting. Spend an evening within a twinkly den of fairy lights and fauna, sipping on a number of classic and signature cocktails.

One of the most unique places to drink in London, Four Quarters in Peckham is your one-stop shop for games nights. Alongside retro arcade sets and craft beers, there's also a speakeasy bar nestled downstairs.

With a focus on fantastic, bespoke cocktails and interesting design, Nightjar is well worth seeking out. Head below the Shoreditch streets where you'll encounter an archetypal 1920s scene, tin cup cocktails and candlelit tables, while jazz and swing bands are on hand to provide soothing tunes.

Tucked away in Battersea, the Schoolhouse does exactly as it says on the tin, complete with lab coats, science areas and plenty of naughty behaviour. Come here for one of London's best boozy brunches, quirky cocktails galore, and a weird and wonderful vibe in South London.

Forget picking an obscure bottle from the top shelf, BYOC Camden is a unique concept that asks ticket holders to bring their own bottle of spirit. Set in a 1920s Prohibition den, the bar will then skilfully whip up a selection of bespoke tipples based on your favourite flavours.

When it comes to something a little different in Shoreditch, it doesn't get much more unique than Cirque. Their zany interiors will dazzle you from the moment you enter, covered in a roster of vintage trinkets, stuffed animal heads and circus nods throughout. 

For something a little different, head to this hidden bar within Merchant House and have the whole place to yourself. With a personal bartender and your own music selection, you can soak up cocktails in unique surroundings.

A throwback to the 1920s Havana heydays, Burlock is one of the UK's most impressive rum houses. With more than 200 different types of the spirit and a selection of authentic Cuban and Caribbean food to tuck unto, this beauty is a no-brainer for fun nights out.

You've gotta work for your drinks at this WW2 immersive experience. The Bletchley is inspired by Alan Turing's incredible code breaking, and will put the old noggin to the test with clues to crack and riddles to answer - it will be worth it once you've sipped on one of their concoctions.

Named after the now mostly forgotten drink, The Gibson uses the highest-quality spirits paired with masterful mixology knowledge to compose a list of fantastical cocktails. The icing on the cake of this Clerkenwell bar? Stunning decor that sets the mood for an intimate evening.

The King's Head Members Club boasts some of the quirkiest interiors in East London. From their lounge bar to their private rooms, you'll find a wealth of taxidermy, attention-grabbing tiles, chandeliers and kitsch decorations.

A basement hangout hidden away from the hustle-bustle of Portobello Road, Trailer Happiness is packed with character. Taking inspiration from the chilled Californian mid-60s, the bar brings quirky decor, tiki influences and innovative cocktail concoctions.  

A bar with noticeable retro vibes, Simmons is a quirky neon-clad little number that's decked out with various knick-knacks and adorable deocr. Patrons come by for its killer happy hours, where they can sip on drinks served from tea cups sporting the Queen's face.

By day, Aeronaut is abuzz with sunseekers sipping on craft brews in its circus-style beer garden. By night, the Acton party bar transforms into a theatrical arena; disco balls descend, the spotlights beam down and the stage comes out for the aerial acrobats and glamorous gymnasts. 

Haggerston-based VR arcade Otherworld promises to take Londoners on a journey quite like no other. Whether you're more into fighting zombies or flying through time and space, you'll be able to round off your adventure with a selection of craft beers, wine and cocktails.

Canary Wharf's Dr Kluger's Olde Town Tavern is a fine example of cocktail skills and cool interiors. Tucked away within The Breakfast Club, this secretive spot provides a roaring night of unique drinks, vintage-inspired interiors and hidden charm. 

Behind a striking mirror is the Looking Glass Room, a clandestine drinking hole where abstract photos line the walls and everything is not as it seems. Get up close and personal with the cocktail card as each libation is made with only the finest ingredients and prepared with a passionate flair.

Step into this Polynesian hideaway and take a trip into paradise. At Trader Vic's, you'll find exotic decor with Pacific patterns and tiki-carvings decorating the venue throughout. Plus, it also pours up, arguably, the best Mai Tais in London.