Taking place from the 3rd to the 13th October, London Cocktail Week is back and bigger than ever. With a plethora of £8 signature serves on offer at the city's top venues, we're sharing some hidden haunts for illicit sipping. From party havens behind unassuming front doors to slinky cocktail joints tucked away down a staircase, check out the best secret bars in London Cocktail Week 2024.
Best London Cocktail Week Secret Bars
The Bar: Mayor Of Scaredy Cat Town
Where It’s Hidden: Head to The Breakfast Club in Spitalfields – a diner serving up American-style pancakes and fried chicken plates. When you walk in, ask for the mayor (that's your password) and you’ll be led to a Smeg fridge. Open up and descend downstairs to the Mayor of Scaredy Cat Town. They've got a second hidden basement venue too: Call Me Mr Lucky at The Breakfast Club in London Bridge.
What You’ll Find: Decked out with vintage décor and furniture, this secret bar in London in a fridge is offering a signature serve - the Comparsa - a mix of anejo rum, falernum, guava juice, lime juice, ginger syrup, bitters. Peckish? The hideaway whips up tasty fries and popcorn if you fancy a snack or two.
The Bar: Nightjar
Where It’s Hidden: Hidden away from the hustle and bustle of Old Street in East London, this slinky subterranean drinking den is identifiable by its Nightjar symbol on the door. Their Carnaby venue is also taking part, if you're after somewhere a little more central.
What You’ll Find: This is speakeasy-style sipping at its finest. Think 1920s-inspired candlelit tables and tin cup cocktails, where jazz music will soundtrack your London Cocktail Week experience. When it comes to drinks, expect unusual takes on classic mixes with delish spirits. Their £8 offering is the La Calendas: an Olmeca Altos Plata tequila-based blend of Italicus Rosolio Bergamot liqueur, grapefruit and hierba de borracho soda, agave and tonka beans.
Nightjar will be showcasing the tequila-based La Mariposa this October.
The Bar: Callooh Callay
Where It’s Hidden: Ditch the hustle and bustle on Old Street and you’ll come across Callooh Callay. Inside is the member's club, JubJub Bar - you'll have to go through a wardrobe, unveil a curtain and head upstairs to visit the private watering hole.
What You’ll Find: This quirky cocktail den promises an ever-changing menu when it comes to signature serves. They've got four different London Cocktail Week specials, including a mocktail, from the Peanut & Jelly to a Key Lime Pie Gimlet.
The Bar: Stereo
Where It’s Hidden: It’s easy to miss but tucked underneath Covent Garden Market is Stereo, a moody and intimate drinking destination. One of the best secret cocktail bars in London? You'll find out when you go inside.
What You’ll Find: Drawing inspiration from New York and Paris, the venue’s interiors are absolutely gorgeous, complete with globe pendants and velvet-clad seating. Sit at the slick bar or chow down on eats from chef Andrew Clarke – think stuffed pickled jalapenos, fried mozzarella and burgers. Pair these with a Kota Ternate, combining dark rum and spices with coconut water, pineapple and clarified milk.
For secret bars in London, Covent Garden, you've hit the jackpot at Stereo.
The Bar: The Luggage Room
Where It’s Hidden: Located in the corner of Grosvenor Square, The Luggage Room was previously home to – you guessed it – a luggage room. And key tip: you’ll need to enter through a super secret hatch to get in.
What You’ll Find: Once inside, embrace the vintage vibes while listening to jazz and swing music. And celebrate getting into this hidden gem by ordering an illicit cocktail or two. Let the menu take you on a blast from the past with tipples inspired by The Great War and drinks named after Hemingway. Their most exciting looking cocktail this year has got to be the tequila-based Riposo: bright pink and topped with a foamy mix of egg white and cream.
The Bar: Opium
Where It’s Hidden: Concealed from the throngs of tourists that make up Chinatown and Central London, Opium is a retreat found down an elusive staircase.
What You’ll Find: This 1920s Shanghai-inspired cocktail bar and dim sum parlour is split across two floors, with multiple themed bars serving an array of swoon-worthy mixes. Why not go the whole hog and pair your Cosmo 1934 or Lemon Drop Sour with some mouthwatering scallop dumplings?
This joint is all that and dim sum.
The Bar: Basement Sate
Where It’s Hidden: Check out Tottenham Court Road, and you’ll come across a sign that reads ‘This is not a brothel. There are no prostitutes at this address’. Head downstairs and you’ll find a seriously cool underground bar.
What You’ll Find: Perfect for the sweet-toothed, Basement Sate is hands down one of the best bars to visit during London Cocktail Week 2024. Delve into an array of elegant cocktails to suit all tastes - we recommend the vodka and lavender syrup-infused Provence.
The Bar: Disrepute
Where It’s Hidden: Nestled under Kingly Court between Carnaby Street and Beak Street, this basement bar can be easily missable amidst the busy streets of London.
What You’ll Find: Offering an exclusive aperitivo hour from 5pm to 6pm Sunday through Thursday, Disrepute is definitely worth a visit. Fronting decadent interiors with plush seating, the venue is slinging out cocktails which are showcased as short stories and inspired by characters from Soho’s past. Try a White Velvet this London Cocktail Week for a hit of créme soda cordial, clairin, pastis and Moët & Chandon Brut Impérial Champagne.
There are plenty of quirky places to check out this London Cocktail Week.
The Bar: Swift Borough
Where It’s Hidden: With additional sites in Shoreditch and Soho, we’re singling out Swift Borough for its exclusive speakeasy, Back Pocket. Just a stone’s throw away from London Bridge Station, the venue has a slinky setting downstairs so be sure to request a seat there.
What You’ll Find: Boasting leather-bound seating, dimly-lit candles and a slick bar, the ambience is perfect for date night and cool catch-ups with pals. Enjoy signature sips from the lemon sorbet-topped Sgroppinos to St Martin's martinis, complete with peach bitters.
The Bar: Discount Suit Company
Where It’s Hidden: A short walk from Liverpool Street Station, Discount Suit Company can be found on a street corner with the shutters pulled down and a staircase leading down to a mysterious curtain.
What You’ll Find: Mosey down to this secret hideaway and you’ll discover plenty of well-priced cocktails that can be created around your preferred palate. Taking inspiration from neighbourhood joints in NYC, the haunt has an eclectic crowd that usually ends up dancing on the tables together. Their Tall Handsome Stranger is a bourbon-based blend of nectarine liqueur, sauternes and jasmine honey cordial.
The sorbet in the Sgroppino makes for a refreshing and sweet treat.
The Bar: Silverleaf
Where It's Hidden: Silverleaf is found on the third floor of Bishopsgate Plaza near Liverpool Street, but that's not the secret part. Their hidden bar Alba is tucked away inside, accommodating just 11 people at a time.
What You'll Find: This luxurious find flaunts dark, sultry interiors designed by Tom Dixon and a drinks menu made up of ingredients that are processed in-house. Choose from the likes of a boozy Pistachio Matcha or the Yuzu Orange Blossom for a refreshingly delicious cocktail.
The Bar: Sotto
Where It's Hidden: Head to popular Italian restaurant Bocconcino in the heart of Soho, and venture downstairs to find Sotto tucked away in the basement, behind a separate set of doors.
What You'll Find: They keep up the stylish nature of the restaurant downstairs, with a gorgeous marble-topped bar and tables to match. Expect intimate red interiors and plush velvet seating, with touches of gold throughout. Choose from a number of signature sips here, including the Scarlet Whisper or a Tropical Inferno.
This one's only open on Fridays and Saturdays, but it's well worth a visit.
The Bar: The Natural Philosopher
Where It's Hidden: This unusual spot is hidden through an operational Mac Repair store on Hackney Road, with the shop open during the day and The Natural Philosopher coming to life in the evenings.
What You'll Find: This spot is an East London favourite, owned by award-winning bartender Josh Powell since late 2019. Expect quirky and vintage decor throughout, from unusual ornaments to plants growing from the walls. Sample the Morning Dew for only £8, featuring fennel-infused gin and green apple liqueur mixed with honey.
The Bar: Black Parrot
Where It’s Hidden: Just a hop, skip and a jump away from the City, this pirate paradise can be found down a hidden alley off Fleet Street.
What You’ll Find: Every buccaneer's dream, Black Parrot is a quirky bar dedicated to sipping tropical cocktails in colourful surroundings. Home to one of the largest rum collections, the venue will be whipping up fun, themed £8 cocktails during London Cocktail Week such as the Depeché Mode or a Hummingbird on the Wire.
After something more moody? Head to one of the best secret bars during London Cocktail Week.
London Cocktail Week will be taking place from the 3rd to the 13th October with tickets for £20 (or £16.67 each when you buy six). Get your wristbands to take part and sign up to our newsletter for news straight to your inbox.
