Something A Little Different in London
The capital is packed to the rafters with bars - big bars, small bars, sports bars, cocktail bars, chain bars and independent bars. While this is great most of the time, finding something off the beaten track, something a little different in London, is often easier said than done. Never fear, when it comes to the more unique venues in the city we've kept our ears to the ground and rounded up a selection of cool London bars to help you on your hunt.
Last updated on 13th May 2022
@ CRYPT on Wednesday 1st June 2022 and 5 other dates
Fancy being transported back to 1940s London to solve a murder mystery? Immersive experience Line of Fire at CRYPT offers you just that. Get your best detective skills going to crack the case, figuring out who killed the victim before the bomb even fell.
@ Chelsea Funhouse on Various dates from Wednesday 18th May 2022
Crack codes to earn cocktails at this unique immersive bar in Chelsea. Head to The Bletchley where there's no sipping without first deciphering some clues as you head back in time at an experience like no other.
@ Moonshine Saloon on Various dates from Wednesday 18th May 2022
One of the quirkiest pop ups in London, this Wild West themed bar lets you bring your own booze so that their expert mixologists can tart it up for you into a cool, perfectly-crafted cocktail.
@ The Candlelight Club on Various dates from Saturday 18th June 2022
Dress your dapper best for this seductive little soiree as you're about to be taken back to the bygone days of the 1920s where speakeasies were the standard and beaded garms were the glamour. Discover this alternative night out in London, sup on bespoke cocktails and dance to classic Jazz music at this Golden Age party of excess and debauchery.
Social gaming and drinking just got a whole lot more fun, as did your repertoire of unusual things to do in London; this is the new revolution, the new era of darts. Changing all pre-conceptions of what you think darts is about, it's not all balding men in waistcoats here. It's the darts digital age where you play games and your score is calculated for you. Now that's a bullseye.
Perfect for any amateur bakers out there, The Big London Bake is a quirky event taking place this summer, revolving around all the yeast-based fun of baking. Guests will be split into teams of two before being set a handful of baking tasks. Pipe your way to the top with this quirky event in South London.
Giant maypoles, wicker masks and brass icons converge to create an eccentric spirit at the Hand of Glory. Projecting a colourful exhibition of British folk culture, it's your place for rural ciders from some of the UK's best independent brewers, a cocktail menu fronting Seven Deadly Gins and a fresh menu influenced by award-winning chef Mark Edwards. They don't get much cooler than this.
@ Poke House on Thu, 19th May 2022 @ multiple start times (see ticket info)
Say goodbye to boring, and hello to Latin America at WeRoad & Chill Latin Edition at Poke House on Portobello Road. Make your way to this fun-packed event for plenty of non-stop tunes, cacao tastings and mouthwatering poke bowls to boot.
For all the art lovers out there, be sure to head to Dream Bags Jaguar Shoes in Shoreditch where their quirky London bar lies in wait. Bursting full of character and beautifully decorated, this cosy nook combines delicious cocktails and stoned baked pizzas with beautiful art installations and inspiring exhibitions. Expect fantastic colours, irresistible drinks and a night you won't forget anytime soon.
@ Atelier Courvoisier on Friday 27th May 2022 and 3 other dates
In need of something a little outside of the box? We thought so. So head along to Atelier Courvoisier by DANIEL w. FLETCHER in vibrant Soho for a range of fun-packed antics. Think jacket painting workshops to cocktail masterclasses. You won't want to miss out on this.
@ Cocktail bars across London on Thu, 13th Oct 2022 - Sun, 23rd Oct 2022
Bored of expensive and the same ol' bars? Well, London Cocktail Week 2022 has got you covered. This awesome event will allow thirsty Londoners to sip on £7 bevvies across 300 of the city's best-loved boozers, alongside hosting some awesome pop-ups and special menus.
@ Crypt on Various dates from Tuesday 17th May 2022
If you're looking for something unusual to do on your night out in East London, try out Illicit Signals Bletchley. This takes you back to the 1940s, where you'll dive into code-cracking and message-deciphering. Will you be able to uncover the truth?
@ Bread Street Kitchen on Various dates from Monday 16th May 2022
If you're looking for something a little different, London has you set with an event at Bread Street Kitchen. Their unique dining pods in combination with their fabulous fare and cocktail menus make for one of the best experiences.
@ 8-12 Tower Hill Vaults on Various dates from Wednesday 18th May 2022
To enjoy an experience like never before, head to Tower Hill Vaults and get stuck in at The Gunpowder Plot. This unique event sees you try to reveal the schemers behind the famous event, with a trip to the immersive bar available in the interval.
Strong cocktails, a dressing up box and tons of power ballad anthems makes for one lively night out in London. Get your mates together and engage your inner pop-star; there's thousands of songs for you to pick between and an adoring crowd awaits. Naturally perfect for fun-loving birthday shindigs, you can also add a cocktail masterclass to your package and make a real event of it.
@ Leicester Square Theatre on Various dates from Wednesday 6th July 2022
If you're looking for a unique theatre show in Central London, Sh!t-faced Shakespeare trumps the lot. Heading to Leicester Square Theatre for their depiction of Romeo and Juliet, this show involves actors drunkenly performing the classic Elizabethan drama.
More than just an events venue, The London Cabaret Club combines fine dining with an innovative, interactive cabaret experience. Boasting a traditionally British theme that runs throughout, both the menu and the show here celebrate the rich heritage of British culture; both past and present. With exquisite dishes and a show packed full of West End stars, this promises to be quite the quirky night out in London.
@ Secret London Location on Saturday 21st May 2022 and 5 other Saturdays
This is the ultimate brunch experience for Beyonce fans. Ladies, get in formation and prepare for non-stop hits at this five hour Queen B extravaganza, complete with free-flowing booze and two courses of brunch goodies to keep you fuelled.
@ Salvador and Amanda Covent Garden on Wednesday 18th May 2022 and 37 other Wednesdays
If you're a sucker for live music and entertainment, head over to this Covent Garden haunt. Salvador and Amanda are bringing a dash of Spanish culture to London with a romantic night of Latin dancing, including a flamenco show, sangria, sharing boards and tapas to share.
@ The Savoy on Sat, 29th Oct 2022 @ 19:00 - 22:30
Looking for something a little different to do this October? The Savoy has you covered. Enjoy a 3 and a half hour Titanic experience, where you will become a passenger, and be served a five course meal while an original script and musical score is played live around your table.
A far cry form your usual swilling affair, Oddbins offer something a little different in London when it comes to tutored tastings. Whether you want to learn about and drink wine, beer, spirits or some other liquor (do we hear whiskey?), the Oddbins team will tailor their event service around whatever you desire whilst simultaneously bringing some fun quizzes and games to the table too.
The ultimately kitsch and oh-so-charming cocktail haven known as Simmons has to be a consideration when looking for somewhere unusual to drink in London. Something of a contemporary version of your nan's lounge, Simmons Fitzrovia is bathed in a neon ambience, where the cocktails pack quite a punch served in queen decorated china and the shelves are stacked with random memorabilia.
@ Secret London Location on Various dates from Saturday 21st May 2022
The Stagey B*tch Brunch is bottomless brunch like you've never experienced before, with five hours of show tunes, live performances from West End stars, 1 hour of bottomless booze and tasty brunch dishes as well.
@ Theatre Deli Broadgate on Various dates from Wednesday 18th May 2022
- Save 20% on ticket Group Ticket - 12:00 with discount code FAMILYSUNDAYS
If you're on the lookout for something a little different, The Perfect Crime is the immersive experience for you. Assemble a crack team of master thieves before attempting to steal some of the world's most expensive artwork, dogging lasers and cracking security systems as you go along.
@ Ruby Blue Bar on Saturday 21st May 2022 and 30 other Saturdays
Looking for something a little different? Head to Shoreditch where Concrete invites you to Kiki with Drag Queens. Think drag queens, lip syncs and a whole load of death drops; with epic performances and the sass to match.
@ 56 Leadenhall Street on Friday 20th May 2022 and 3 other dates
Calling all adrenaline junkies. This epic immersive experience will see you travelling through time and space, landing in the middle of a Martian invasion. The event will combine cutting edge technology with live theatre, leaving it up to the audience to save the earth from its deadliest threat yet.
Less of a pub quiz, more of a rowdy disco, Sounds Familiar is great fun from minute one. Useless trivia is no good here, it's all about scribbling down songs and artists played out loud, and having a right old sing-along in the mean time. A unique night out in London for the extroverts, Sounds Familiar will have you dancing on the tables and belting out your favourite tunes long into the night.
@ Ninth Life on Various dates from Thursday 19th May 2022
Trade in the usual after-work happy hours for something a little different with a trip to Ninth Life's The Hunt for the Smoking Caterpillar. An escape room, immersive theatre and murder mystery in one, this event is bound to leave a lasting impression.
Looking for a night out that's out of this world? Head down to Haggerston's wackiest bar and VR arcade - Otherworld. With interiors that look to be straight out of the latest Star Wars film, you'll be able to step into an alternate reality, taking on one of 16 experiences, before heading to the bar for a selection of space-themed sips.
@ Kitchen Theory on Saturday 21st May 2022 and 3 other dates
One of the most unique events in London this year, this multisensory supper club is the latest edition from food artists Kitchen Theory. Head to High Barnet where they'll be bringing a 10-strong lineup of interactive plates to 12 lucky diners.
The King's Head is hosting another night of sexy burlesque and cabaret performances as Gin House Burlesque are back in town with their scintillating and captivating performances. With everything from a Josephine Baker tribute act to a ventriloquist, the night promises to put the spark back into your evenings.
@ The BBQ Club on Various dates from Wednesday 18th May 2022
Fancy doing something a little out of the box? Then be sure to check out The BBQ Club's awesome events in Southbank. Think a 6-course guided meal with help from a top-notch chef and tasty drinks, all from the comfort of a cabana.
@ Secret Cottage London on Saturday 25th June 2022 and 2 other dates
If you're bored of the same old dinner dates and overnight stays, then The Lust Supper is the perfect couples event. The pair of you will be treated to a three-course meal of aphrodisiacs, plus a couples massage, meditation workshop and other exciting surprises.
In 1848, the infamous Baron fled to London shrouded in scandal, his every action prompting outrage on the streets. He landed a date with the gallows - only to escape and develop his mythical reputation by befriending the likes of Disraeli, Brunel and Nightingale. Popularly referred to as The Escapologist - he now has a bar paying homage to his exploits - a basement bar styled as part Victorian men's club, part Masonic Lodge. Expect cocktails, authentic design and cheese-drenched pizzas at this inventive and intriguing Covent Garden drinking joint.
@ The Sunset Steam Express on Tuesday 17th May 2022 and 13 other Tuesdays
If you're searching for something a little different from your dining experience, how about hopping aboard a swish train? Nab tickets to The Sunset Steam Express and you'll get the chance to chow down on a sumptuous three-course meal of British classics, all while you watch the Surrey Hills go by.
Oriole is one undeniably cool place to drink in London. Sister site to the multi award-winning Nightjar speakeasy, Oriole's exotic influences ensure you'll be sipping at cocktails mixed with creativity, flair and the finest in tropical ingredients. As well as tasting menus, the experience comes rounded off by a live music programme featuring jazz, swing and blues.
Bringing some variety to the Clapham nightlife scene is Venn Street Records, a vinyl-clad, rock 'n' roll drinkers den fitted with vintage music memorabilia. Track down the large neon sign outside and follow the sounds of the live bands and DJ sets inside, there's happy hour offers every day and #CheapDate deals that offer 2 drinks and 2 pizzas for £15 between Sundays and Wednesdays.
@ Shoreditch Funhouse on Various dates from Monday 16th May 2022
Wanting to try something a little different in London? Taking place at a 19th century themed police station is a cracking Jack The Ripper mystery to solve at H- Division. Enjoy three bespoke cocktails while channeling your inner detective at this Shoreditch pop-up.
@ Jamies Adam’s Court on Saturday 4th June 2022 and 28 other Saturdays
If you're looking for something a little different from your bottomless brunch in London, look no further than nabbing tickets to LaBooz. You'll chow down on a two-course meal at a top secret location, all while drag queens, cabaret stars, burlesque performers and belly dancers take to the stage.
@ Infront of Newspaper Stand Outside Farringdon Station on Friday 27th May 2022 and 13 other Fridays
Travel across London and uncover the bloody past of the city. With the help of Ouija boards, K2 meters, you will search for spirits and poltergeists in some of the scariest places in London, from abandon goal cells formally hosting the world's worst serial killers to mountains of bodies that commuters walk on every day.
Come over and get your fix of Latina flair at this gem of a Soho party bar. With flamboyant interiors, exotic tequila drinks and a lovely choice of Spanish bites, Barrio is a tropical oasis with a lovely atmosphere making for a quirky place to drink in London. Share a few plates with your mates, knock back a few of their corking cocktails or find your way to the dance floor, where a mix of live bands and DJs play until 1am.
For an alternative night out in London, heading to Acton may not be your first port of call. But it should be because it's where you'll find Aeronaut and their pub turn brewery turn beer garden turn restaurant turn circus big top tent extravaganza. Yes, you can truly dabble in it all as you're dazzled by balancing acts, comedians, aerial artists and acrobats at large.
@ Bush Hall on Friday 4th and Saturday 5th November 2022
Whether you're looking to spice up your average ol' trip to the chippy or a girl's night out, then be sure to check out World Burlesque Games at Bush Hall in Shepherd's Bush. This top-notch event will be home to some of the best performers fighting for the first place. Need we say more?
With orders placed via sleek tablets and tabletops that you customise with your own images, Inamo is the place to be for an interactive dining experience in London. Check in on executive chef Jon Claro and his team via chef cam, you'll find them conjuring up all kinds of pan-Asian tapas plates as well as a healthy choice of sushi and sashimi options. Check in at the downstairs bars for Oriental-themed cocktails afterwards.