Unusual Bars You Can’t Miss In 2025

This fair land of ours? It's rampant with peculiar underground taverns, kooky cocktail haunts and offbeat watering holes. And don't even get us started on the drinks. We've scoured up and down the coastline to find the most unusual bars in the UK where tin can tipples and cloister-brewed beers are all the norm - from Edinburgh to London and beyond.

Last edited by Scarlett Welch

Last updated on 16th May 2025




UK-Wide: The Alchemist

With venues from Newcastle to Birmingham and beyond, The Alchemist is always a great shout for cocktails. Their bar in Monument, London is particularly impressive though, as it features the UK's first permanent Negroni Bar by Campari, which serves seven unique twists on the iconic cocktail.

Expect dark, sultry interiors and a killer menu of both food and drink. From juicy burgers to international small plates ad boozy brunches, this place has got it all.

Leeds: The Maven

The Maven is a Prohibition-style speakeasy found within The Calls and fronting an air of Gatsby-inspired interiors and etiquette. The award-winning venue is brilliant for serious cocktail lovers who are keen to try something a little different, while also enjoying a roaring party vibe thanks to live DJs. The menu is ever-changing, but summer specials have included the likes of Alpine strawberry vermouth mixed with prosecco, and POD pea vodka with elderflower cordial, topped with mint. 

UK-Wide: Ballie Ballerson

Create Your Own Package! 🫧 and 1 other offer

Ballie Ballerson is a nostalgic playground in the form of a ball pit combined with a bar, karaoke room and live DJs. Tickets for all-day pit access start from £6.50 and you can also treat you and your mates to one of its iconic bottomless brunches across its Edinburgh venue too, which features 90 minutes of unlimited bubbles and two hours of unlimited Neapolitan pizza. Cocktail-wise, you can expect to get your lips around Instagrammable beauties like the Dibbie Dabberson, topped with dip dab lollipop and th e bubblegum flavoured Hubba Hubba Bubba.

Newcastle: ChaChaBuchi

ChaChaBuchi in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne offers sophistication and glamour in the form of bark-lined walls, a chalet-inspired private room and a glowing golden staircase. If that wasn't enough, there's a cosy firepit to get excited about too on the terrace, perfect for enjoying an Alpine-inspired food menu around. Drinks-wise, you'll find classic sips like pornstar martinis as well as beers, ciders and all your favourite spirits. 

London: Call Me Mr Lucky

Happy Hour 5-8pm - 241 Cocktails & £3 Sol

You'll find Call Me Mr Lucky tucked away underneath The Breakfast Club in London Bridge, fronting multi-coloured strings of lights and playful interiors. It also happens to be Tom Daley's favourite bar so hit up to see why. Happy hour starts from 5pm 'til 8pm from Tuesday to Saturday where you can nab 2-4-1 on all cocktails and £3 bottles of Sol. Up for sipping? The Odeon, made with vodka and popcorn syrup, June Bug featuring Malibu and banana liquor, and an Elderflower Collins.