Best bars in London
London is absolutely brimming with unique and quirky bars, and they offer up some some of the most creative drinks that you could ever imagine. Londoner’s do love to drink, and to make sure you don’t die of thirst here is our guide to London’s best bars. From the secret speakeasies, to the jazz bars with quirky cocktails, or the city slicker vibe we have you covered.
The Coral Room - Bloomsbury
The Coral Room, adjoining to the Bloomsbury Hotel, offers utterly opulent décors and delicious drinks. The interiors come from the mastermind and interior architect, Martin Brundnizki. We are completely in love with the coral-coloured room with the sexy 1920s vibe, handing Murano glass chandeliers, coral leather bar stools, a marble topped bar, impressive art pieces and the elegant furniture. Everything feels and looks expensive, and will make you feel extravagant as soon as you saunter in. The Coral Room is a perfect location for evening drinks, with a selection of over 20 cocktails available to try, and a selection of vineyard sparkling wines all of which you can enjoy with their truffle parmesan fries or an unbeatable cheese selection.
What to drink?
‘Man About Town’
Tanqueray Gin with Marker’s Mark Bourbon Whisky, Peychaud’s Bitters, egg white, elderflower cordial and lemon juice.
Price: £15
Best for?
Date night /Treat your parents for a drink
#FLOFavourite: The Coral Room has some great live music on particular evenings, which adds an extra dimension to the already impressive space.
Location:
16-22 Great Russell, Street, and Bloomsbury, London W1B 3NN.
Nearest Station:
Tottenham Court Road Tube Station
Opening Hours:
Friday to Saturday - 10am-midnight, Sunday to Thursday, 10am-1am
Sketch The Glades - Mayfair
The Glades is just one of the many rooms in the opulent Mayfair hotspot, ‘9 Conduit Street’. The Glades serves cocktails and bar snacks from 5pm daily. Not to be out done by its sister rooms, walking into the Glades feels like being transported to a mystic forest. There is rich velvet upholstery filling the room in a variety of blues and purples, all set off with tufted wood floors and intimate lighting. The impressive cocktail menu will see you happily through the night.
What to drink?
‘9 Conduit Street Cocktail’
Tanqueray No 10 gin, aperol, elderflower cordial, crème de mure with grapefruit.
Price: £14
Best for?
Date night – the romance is tangible.
#FLOFavourite: The Glades has its very own self-playing piano that serenades guests as they drink.
Location:
9 Conduit Street, Mayfair, London, W1S 2XG
Nearest Station:
Bond Street Tube Station
Opening Hours:
(The Glades serve cocktails and snacks)
Monday to Saturday 5 pm – 2 am Sunday 5 pm – 12:30 am
Ninetyeight Bar and Lounge - Shoreditch
Ninetyeight Bar and Lounge is a solid #FLOFavourite and it is without a doubt one of the most unique spaces in London. We are completely in love with the décor; think French classicism infused with a mischievous modern mix of colour, with all of your childhood sweets incorporated throughout. Walking into Ninetyeight bar feels like stepping into a quirky, eccentric fantasyland and each of the rooms has a different theme. The cocktails are delicious and extremely creative, all served in equally as quirky cups. Plus, Ninetyeight Bar is eco-friendly and only use biodegradable straws and products behind the bar.
What to drink?
‘Coco Loco’
Koko Kanu Coconut Rum, Creme de Cassis, Pineapple, Angustura, Lime and Nutmeg.
Price: £10.50
Best for?
Date night/Catch up with friends
#FLOFavourite: The cheese platter. Cocktails and Cheese? It’s a yes from us.
Location:
Morrell House, 98 Curtain Road, Shoreditch, London, EC2A 3AF
Nearest Station:
Shoreditch High Street Station
Opening Hours:
Wednesday to Thursday 4.30pm-11pm, Friday to Saturday 4.30pm-1.00am.
Ninetyeight Bar and Lounge only accept card payments.
Nightjar - Shoreditch
Photos: Night Jar
Nightjar is a jazz and blues speakeasy-style bar located in Shoreditch. Named after a nocturnal bird, this bar is in high demand for its live jazz music. After coming through a very nondescript entrance, you will be blown away by the old school glamour of the interior, and a menu that features cocktails from a variety of eras in history – pre-prohibition, prohibition and post-war – as well as quirky ingredients such as smoked candyfloss, chapulines, or even a savoury Mexican grasshopper. If you are looking for a fun night that entails live music, dancing and good cocktails (or all of the above), you won’t find a better place that Nightjar. However, it is notoriously busy and you will often find a queue of people outside so be sure to book in advance.
What to drink?
‘Yorkshire Punch’
Served in a very interesting night owl (Yes we mean in a sculptured night owl), containing Fiord Gin, Apple & Rhubarb, Ginger beer, lemon berry liqueurs a. honey and Yorkshire tea.
Price: £10 pp
‘Toronto’
Woodford Reserve Whisky, coffee and pecan maple syrup, orange blossom smoke and delicious candyfloss.
Price: £12
Best for?
Date night/Catch up with friends
#FLOFavourite: The jazz at Nightjar is seriously good and is worth queuing for if you can’t get a booking on your preferred date. Is there a better way to spend an evening than listening to jazz with cocktails?
Location:
129 City Road, London EC1V 1JB
Nearest Station:
Old Street Tube Station
Opening Hours:
Friday to Saturday 6pm – 3 am,
Thursday 6 pm – 2 am, Sunday to Wednesday 6 pm – 1 am
Barts - Chelsea
Photos: Barts
Barts is a speakeasy styled cocktail bar on Sloane Avenue. Dimly-lit and filled with quirky ornaments, their menu is inspired by comic books and features a number of unique and creative cocktails. From the ‘Mad Hatter’ served in a top hat, to the ‘Chelsea Rose’ is served in quaint little tea cups by friendly barman dressed like ‘cheeky chappies’ straight out of Oliver Twist with newsboy caps. With their incredible cocktail selection and live music, there is a lot of fun to be had at Barts! But we have to warn you, a password is required to enter…
What to drink?
‘He Rums This Town’
Bacardi Rum, with herbal liqueur, basil, mango purees and lime. Delicious!
Price: £13
‘Mad hatter’
Served in a top hat and suitable for 6-8 people, containing Grey goose vodka, citrus and strawberry puree peach liqueur, apple juice topped with sparkling wine.
Price: £100
Best for?
Catch up with friends
#FLOFavourite: Bart’s also has a secret garden which is the perfect location to enjoy a summer cocktail. Bart’s literary menu tells the story of Uncle Bart’s escape from Al Capones Chicago to the leafy Chelsea.
Location:
87 Sloane Avenue, Chelsea Cloisters, and London, SW3 3DW
Nearest Station:
South Kensington Tube Station
Opening Hours:
Daily 18:00-1:00
Nine Lives - London Bridge
Tucked away under London Bridge arches, Nine Lives is one of the trendiest neighbourhood bars in London. Stepping into Nine Lives is the perfect blend of 1960s vintage with modern day contemporary. This bar is complete with floor-to-ceiling bamboo fixtures, rocking armchairs and hanging greenery. Sustainability is a common theme that runs throughout the bar – Nine Lives is dedicated to a zero waste strategy. An evening at Nine Lives never disappoints, this is largely due to their spectacular cocktail menu, from their famed Moby Dick, the Beetnik with the classic Takamaka Rum, to the Tropicalifornication sharers. The vibe is fun, the staff are friendly, the pizzas are delicious and the music never disappoints!
What to drink?
‘Moby Dick’
Coconut Washed Black Label and salted caramel.
Price: £10
Best for?
Catch up with friends /Drinks with colleagues
#FLOFavourite: Nine Lives stock a delicious Takamaka Rum directly from the Seychelles. Having toured the distillery ourselves we know how good this stuff really is.
Location:
8 Holyrood Street, London, SE1 2EL
Nearest Station:
London Bridge Station
Opening Hours:
Tuesday - Wednesday 5pm -11pm, Thursday - Friday 5pm – late
Saturday 6pm -late.
