Cool London bars

Often themed according to the season, this sky-high bar’s terraces and cocktails are as smartly turned out as the venue’s fashion-conscious clientele. When the weather turns, shelter indoors at the carousel bar or cosy up in one of the kimono silk-lined booths and get stuck into a list of east-west Daiquiris, Saketinis and Shanghai-style classics such as Nippon Negronis, plus some Eurasian street food.

Slick, sexy and decked out like a Manhattan-style loft, the bar at Aqua Shard is the height of cool (see what we did there?). The bar is open throughout the day, so you can opt to take your vista with bright sunshine or with a myriad twinkling night-time lights. We recommend both, along with the gin- and tea-inspired cocktails.

Outstanding views of St Paul’s and the promise of alfresco drinks high above the City ensure that queues for the lift to Madison build early on fine afternoons. Its buzzing atmosphere makes it the ideal spot to catch up with friends and colleagues over good food, drinks and music from the in-house DJs and live acoustic trios, particularly during the summer months.

This speakeasy’s chaises longues and cushion-strewn, curtained-off vaults are ideal for dates, though weekends bring the live sounds of easy-listenin' Blues, acoustic artists and rollicking DJ sets. Cocktails are inventive and delicious – one such contains Zacapa 23 rum, Mozart chocolate liqueur, Pimento Dram rum-based liqueur, Coco Pops milk and Aztec bitters – and there are pizzas, cheese and charcuterie platters for picking at.

Accessed through an anonymous wooden door just of the Old Street roundabout, this highly rated speakeasy bar has been a hit with the Shoreditch crowd since it opened in 2010. A mix of seductive surrounds, cutting-edge drinks and live music harking back to the Jazz Age make it a cool spot for lounging with friends (and Instagramming about it, obvs). Bear in mind that it’s strictly table-service only, bookings are taken online, and you will be charged for a no-show.

Table service and classic Italian hospitality sets this small Soho bar apart from its competitors. Drinks are made up of classics and some more modern interpretations of popular serves. If you pick a bar for its food as much as its drinks (very us) then you might be keen to know that there's also a stellar lineup of Italian small plates to pick from. 

We find ourselves repeatedly drawn to The Parlour, a raffishly postmodernist drawing room that wouldn’t look out of place in ex-Sex Pistol John Lydon's LA punk château. Here you can knock back dependably good drinks from a constantly evolving list, which includes house wines and cocktails such as Nolet and the Whale (vodka, Aperol, peach and almond syrup). If you want to fit in though, order a bottle of refined French fizz.

Housed in a former public toilet, this hip speakeasy sports an art-deco aesthetic of chequered floor tiles and marquetry panelling that pays homage to the golden era of cocktail making. Cleverly-named cocktails such as ‘Sage of Consent’ with its blend of butter-washed rum, sage, citrusy bergamot, lemon juice and dark cane sugar pack a punch, though there are lighter options available too.

This double bar concept comes from renowned bartender Alex Kratena (formerly of Artesian Bar) and Monica Berg. Found right by Old Street roundabout, Elementary is a casual all-day bar which serves seasonal drinks and snacks, while Tayer is a more progressive space featuring a daily changing menu written up on a blackboard.

In Elementary, guests sit around a large communal bar, enjoying drinks and snacking on a succinct menu of just three snack plates. If they move through to Tayer, they’ll find seating around a large open counter, where they can see the bartenders and chefs at work.

Ta Ta Eatery has been appointed to oversee the food side of things, serving up a menu which is Asian in style, but incorporates European elements. Dishes can be ordered individually or as tapas-style sharing plates, while the drinks list doesn’t just privilege cocktails – you can also expect considered lists of spirits, sakés and soft drinks.  

Food and drink images: Bernard Zeija

Secreted beneath The Breakfast Club in Borough, this honky-tonk drinking dive is a must-visit for fun-seekers. Once you’ve picked your way through the restaurant's kitchen and descended into the bar, you’ll be met with fairy lights, paper lanterns and friendly bar staff ready to mix a flamboyant and surprisingly inexpensive cocktail for you. It’s a small spot so expect a bit of a squeeze on weekends.

You’ll find a classic 1950s vibe going down at this dinky backstreet spot that also goes by the moniker ‘The Bar with No Name’. Located between Angel and Islington, 69 Colebrooke Row serves up unique Film Noir-inspired cocktails that change seasonally, along with a range of classic cocktails and a selection of tapas dishes. Masterclasses are also up for grabs if you’re looking for a new life skill.

From this high altitude, the city below resembles a magical tapestry, and with a couple of drinks here costing much the same as a ticket to the touristy viewing platform above, we rate Gong as the more civilised sightseeing option. Decked out like a Bond baddie’s penthouse, Gong boasts a separate Champagne bar and a swimming pool for punters to lounge by (but not to dip into) from 8pm.

Location: hidden within GOAT Chelsea. Entry: protected by an ever-changing code. Vibe: a dimly lit, booze-filled study kitted out with leather chesterfields and a scratchy jazz soundtrack. Purpose: an A-Z of classic cocktails. Make your way through the alphabet and you’ll get every tenth cocktail on the house (not recommended in one visit). Prayers: answered. 

The Shard may have stolen this oldie’s thunder with its stylishly designed bars, but it's worth making a reservation at Vertigo 42 for thrilling views and fine French fizz. Housed in the former NatWest Tower, 42 floors up, Vertigo is just the place for some classy bubbles and business-class cabin fare. Whether you get giddy on Gallimard or blow the budget on a magnum of 1990 Krug, it’s worth making the hike.

Definitely not one for vegans, this neighbourhood cocktail bar doubles up as an unofficial taxidermy museum. If you’re happy to keep company with stuffed exhibits and skeletal sculptures, settle in and order from a regular retinue of reasonably priced rogues, twisted classics and contemporary signatures. Nibbles include the likes of mini Scotch eggs and baby back ribs.

High-end cocktails in a low-rent basement sounds like a pretty cool concept, but throw in the fact that Happiness Forgets was voted the 40th best bar in the world this year, and has been honoured at the prestigious Spirited Awards in New Orleans, and it takes on a whole new meaning. Owner Andy Bird and his staff have a genuine passion for superb service and divine drinks, meaning that from the moment you sit down, you’ll be treated like an old friend. Book ahead as it’s always busy.

Named for the man of God (a chap who wasn’t a stranger to the odd tipple) who once occupied the basement flat in which this cool cocktail bar is housed, Reverend JW Simpson is a hipster hangout and a half. Here you can seek salvation at a pulpit bar set in the old coal cellar with friends or a date, or attend a popular ‘spirited sermon’ (cocktail masterclass). Praise be.

If you're looking for a cool London bar that's more about the interiors than the drinks list, then you've found what you're after in Rockwell. Photo-friendly interiors include velvet seating, a lush-foliage bedecked bar and fringed low-hanging lighting. Staff are friendly and despite not being the most exciting line up of drinks on our list, the cocktails are a satisfying mix of sweet and sour crowd-pleasers- with interesting serve styles including an Alice in Wonderland style potion which sees your drink accompanied by a small 'drink me' labelled bottle for you to add yourself. 

Inspired by the Victorian nonsense poems of Lewis Carroll, this Shoreditch bar’s drinks list is always a good read. Tumble through the looking glass to the risqué den and grab yourself a boundary-pushing libation such as a Tall & Oates (El Jimador Blanco Tequila, sherry, bitters, oat horchata and caramel waffle). Bar bites are bussed in from 100 Hoxton Street’s kitchen for when hunger sets in.

London hosts 10 of the world’s 50 best bars with Artesian placing at number 48. This accolade is just one in a string of such recognitions for this high-end hotel bar. Despite its fixture in one of the city’s most lavish sleeping spots, Artesian manages to maintain an atmosphere of accessibility. The cocktail list is focused on ‘minimalism’ with drinks being built around just one flavour combination for clean, clear serves. Despite the air of relaxed luxury, be warned, sips from the cocktail list will set you back £20 a pop.   

Set up by the man behind Dandelyan, to replace it swiftly after it won the best bar in the world, Lyaness sells itself as a cocktail bar and afternoon tea hotspot, so the vibe will depend on what time of day you choose to visit. We recommend evening, when the views across the Thames are at their best and the cocktails are flowing. Need more convincing? This spot won 39th place on the line up of the world's 50 best bars in 2019. Its contemporary design features make for an elegant pit stop that won’t hurt your Instagram account and the snacks are pretty tasty too.

Fantasy detectives Evans & Peel are a highly renowned mystery-solving duo that you’ll need to present your ‘case’ to before you’re admitted to their headquarters (the atmospheric speakeasy hidden behind the bookshelf). If role play is your bag, you’ll love it, but even if the idea makes you grimace, we’re sure you’ll find something to smile about once inside, like the agency’s inventive take on classic drinks.

The Experimental Cocktail Club has narked off many a potential punter with its hard-to-locate scruffy door and its haughty doormen, but many would argue that it’s all part of the speakeasy charm. If you do get in, we’re confident you’ll find consistently good drinks, but be warned: steer clear of cocktails made with vintage spirits unless you're feeling really flush.

The big attraction at Mayfair legend Mahiki is a line-up of rum punches, grogs and slings with names like Bikini Blast, Krakatoa, Bajan Whirlpool and ‘vicious’ absinthe-spiked Baron Samedi's Brew – all served in assorted tiki vessels. Asian snacks act as damage limitation as the action heats up in the downstairs club, which is a great place for celeb-spotting.

Coming in at number 16 on the list of the 50 best bars in the world, this small East London drinking den packs a big punch. The austere decor only highlights the interesting cocktails all the more, giving the drinks full focus. With a weekly change menu that reflects the seasons, you never quite know what you're going to get, but the ingredients are always thoughtfully curated and the serves satisfyingly strong. 

Bespoke mezcal and poitín Old Fashioneds, elegant Daiquiris and rye Manhattans all represent off-the-peg perfection at this low-beamed former tailor’s storeroom-turned-bar. Just moments from Spitalfields Market and Liverpool Street station, this super-cool spot is well-suited (sorry, not sorry) to date nights, cosy catch-ups with friends and any other social event you can think of.  

Perched atop the Heron Tower, this hotspot of a bar is a must for unparalleled views of the City skyline. The drinks are pretty memorable too, with experimental concoctions that use ingredients ranging from charred dandelion-root to burnt toast, 'damp gin,' asparagus ends and cut grass. Not all the drinks here are off the wall, but regardless of what you go for, expect to pay a pretty penny for it.

‘Loud, extroverted and unashamedly awesome’ is London Cocktail Club’s bullish boast, and we have to say we agree with it. The laddish living-it-large vibe at LCC stays just on the right side of anarchy and its drinks are a cut above what you'll find at lesser party pits, making it perfect for a night out with friends.

Subtly kitsch decor, an expansive rum list and an array of colourful cocktails bring a touch of the exotic to this Notting Hill tiki bar. There's plenty to choose from here, ranging from the pocket-friendly to the flash, and those in large groups can go all out with a sharing cocktail. An eclectic soundtrack of funk, hip hop, reggae, house and soul complete the vibe.

Dreamy art-deco interiors and gorgeous Martinis about sum up Corbin & King’s polished birch-panelled bar just a stone’s throw from frenetic Piccadilly Circus. Retro tipples such as Aviation and Millionaires – sips that date back to the days when aviation was strictly for millionaires – are a great shout, but there are plenty of classics on the menu too.

This dippy cocktail pit attached to El Camion’s Mexican grill boasts more than 300 class-act Tequilas, served with homemade sangrita (salt and lime is for Philistines), plus a savvy selection of mighty mescals. If Tequila isn’t to your taste, try fruity cachaça-based batidas or any off-menu fix you fancy – not forgetting bottles of cerveza served Mexican-style with spices. If you’re planning to eat beforehand, the grill next door is an excellent choice.  

This little number is London's best bar, according to the annual line up of the world's fifty best bars. Placing at second, The Connaught Bar is celebrated for its old-world elegance and thoughtfully curated drinks list. The serves include cocktails made with the bar's own gin, a herbal and citrus iteration of this popular spirit. For white-gloved, impeccable service, you can't get better than here. 

Cut straight down the middle, Swift offers a smart-casual downstairs bar that is perfect for walk-ins, while upstairs sees a more 'serious' bar for cocktail aficionados. Run by a line-up of bartending royalty, Swift placed at 41 in a line-up of the world's 50 best bars and runs two separate cocktail menus for each space. Upstairs enjoy a Tuk Tuk (Woodford Reserve, mint, cardamom and rosewater) or go for a non-alcoholic Tempest downstairs (Darjeeling kombucha, lemon, elderflower, honey and celery). Classics are always available too, should you have an old favourite.

The epitome of ‘cool’, this impossibly glamorous rooftop bar atop ME London in Covent Garden is a gem that you’ll need to book well in advance to gain access to. Minimalist monochrome décor and views over the City skyline are two of its greatest assets, but super sips and dainty tapas are also plus points. Be sure to bring a fully-charged phone – you’re going to need it for Instagram.  

Tucked away in Bethnal Green, this unassuming small bar won the accolade of being the world's 23rd best bar in 2019. Menus here change with the season, so you could never possibly tire of popping in for a drink or three on the regular. Drinks come with comprehensive descriptions to allow for ease of choosing, with a range of options, but all are given the utmost attention in terms of detail. A Bloody Martini, for instance, is made from house-made roasted tomato juice that has been hand filtered for a smooth texture and clean flavour.

First, you’ll need to locate the ‘by appointment-only’ bunker with an unmarked door, lost in a dingy parade of shops in east London, but after that, it’s all smooth sailing. Behind the bar is a deadpan dude who uses fiendish ingredients along the lines of alcoholic cotton, fake caviar and ‘electric current’ to create highly palatable drinks (and snacks) imaginatively presented in bonkers bowls, beakers and bongs.

One of the city’s most recognisably famous bars, The American Bar at the Savoy is practically a rite of passage for thirsty Londoners and is thought to be the capital’s oldest surviving cocktail bar. Interiors are all 1930s old world glamour, and the host of bartenders are well positioned to make you any drink you care to name, with it not being unusual that they would remember what you had on your last visit – it’s that kind of place. With a whole string of accolades to its name, including being voted the 5th best bar in the world in 2019, The American Bar at the Savoy is bucket list stuff.