Aqua Spirit

Although they’re increasingly common in other parts of town, rooftop bars are as rare as prolonged sunny spells in Soho – which makes Aqua Spirit’s open-air chill-out a poseur's paradise for blue-sky drinkers. Frequently themed according to the season, its terraces and cocktails are as smartly turned out as the venue’s fashion-conscious clientele. When the weather inevitably throws a tantrum, shelter indoors at the carousel bar, retreat to one of the kimono silk-lined booths in adjacent Aqua Kyoto and get stuck into a list of east-west Daiquiris, Saketinis and Shanghai-style classics such as Nippon Negroni, plus some Eurasian street food. Prices are more haute couture than bargain basement in this new incarnation of Dickins & Jones department store.

A plush bar, complete with open air terrace and lofty views across the rooftops of London? There aren’t many of those around, especially in the vicinity of Oxford Circus. Aqua Spirit is certainly one of the most impressive cocktail bars in the city, and that’s before you even get around to ordering a cocktail. 

You’ll find Aqua Spirit immediately to your right as you step out of the elevators - quite frankly, it’s hard to miss. The central bar is a monolith of golden tessellated fleur de lys tiling and smooth obsidian. Sliding doors hide the way to a private dining room for 10, and nearby Aqua Nueva - a Spanish restaurant and cocktail bar that has its own terrace and tapas bar. Step on through to Aqua Kyoto and you’ll find silk-lined booths and a stunning marble sushi bar, with chefs busily preparing sushi and sashimi platters. And further still, the Kyoto Terrace - which is both heated and covered for use all year-round.

Aqua Spirit is a cocktail bar at heart, but there are bar snacks available, like rock shrimp with chilli garlic sauce, or squid and vegetable gyoza, and you can always head next door if you want a sit down meal. 

Meanwhile, the cocktail bar is where the action is. Try Aqua Spirit signatures like the Pink Panther (Tapatio reposado, peach, Campari, Supasawa and Fever-Tree tonic) or the Negroni Royal (Tanqueray Royal, Roots mastic, dry vermouth and citrus), then head out onto the terrace and soak up the buzz of the city from five floors up.