London’s bar scene is as diverse and historic as the city itself. The city boasts some of the best and most exciting bars in the world. Most bars have a wide collection of the best drinks sourced locally and from around the world. No matter your preference, you can be sure that there is something for you.
Whether you’re after a stiff whisky in a centuries-old pub, a cocktail in a fancy gentleman’s club, or a full-on bar experience with your martini and vodka, the city has got you covered.
The city is full of bars, and it would be a bit remiss to choose just one best. Bars range from hidden cellars to riverside rooftops, speakeasies to open lounges. Many with their own unique features that make them loved and highly sought after.
Regardless, here are some of the best Bars in London
5 Best Bars In London
1. Dram Bar, Soho
2. Alcotraz, London
3. Simmons
4. The Bar One
5. Coach and Horses
Best Bars In London
1. The Dram Bar, Soho
Dram is a whisky lover’s haven. Situated inside a beautifully preserved 17th-century building, the bar spans three floors and marries modern flair with old-world charm. The relatively new entrant into the bar world has a sleek and modern ground floor that doubles as a daytime café and a whisky and cocktail bar by night.
You can stay downstairs for the intimate, speakeasy ambiance or head upstairs to enjoy an airy terrace bar. As a slightly cheeky twist, there is even a private pool room complete with a cocktail vending machine. The whole area is both stylish and very welcoming, appealing to both whisky aficionados and casual drinkers.
Major fun fact though, Dram crafts many of its drinks itself. From home-made ferments behind the counters to low-ABV drinks, many of their cocktails are pre-batched for fast, flawless service. This just goes to prove that the bartenders know what they are doing.
Dram can get busy and crowded very quickly. However, with its multiple venues, guests can shift easily between loud, lively, intimate, and quiet.
Location: 7, Denmark Street, Soho, London, United Kingdom
Hours Open: 12:00 pm – 11:30 pm (Monday – Saturday)
Price Range: £12 – £18
2. Alcotraz, London: Cell Block Two-One-Two
Alcotraz delivers a cocktail experience wrapped in theatre and fun. Guests pretend to serve time in a mock prison, wear orange jumpsuits, and enter dim, industrial cells, while sneaking in drinks and hiding to take drinks without getting caught.
The impressive décor, complete with flickering lights and steel bars, does a good job of setting the stage for the evening. The actors take their job seriously, creating an immersive experience with guards, wardens, and inmates with improvised storylines. Expert mixologists create special cocktails, making use of the spirits guests bring in. Not drinking is also not a deterrent, as they also make mocktails for non-drinkers, so nobody is left out.
It should be noted that the bar doesn’t sell drinks, so guests must bring their own drinks as they enter. This might be a bit disappointing, but it also makes for a unique experience. The bar is usually loud and lively, but it is perfect for celebrations or hanging out with friends.
London: Unit 3B, 127 Hackney Road, London, United Kingdom
Hours Open: 6:35 pm – 8:50 pm (Tuesday – Wednesday)
6:35 pm – 11:00 pm (Thursday)
4:10 pm – 11:15 pm (Friday)
11:30 am – 11:15 pm (Saturday)
12:00 pm – 10:45 pm (Sunday)
Price Range: £35 – £45 (For ticket)
3. Simmons Bar
Simmons has multiple locations across London, from Oxford to Fulham and everywhere in between. It has a playful décor, neon lights, vintage wallpaper, old school video games, and even disco balls tucked behind faux VHS rental counters.
Each Simmons is slightly different with its own specific decor, but the vibe is always upbeat and exciting. The bar is perfect for a lively night out, think dancing, drinking, and partying till late. Guests can enjoy music from a live DJ or opt for Karaoke and show their talents.
Happy Hour starts from around 3 pm or 4 pm, drawing the work crowd, and usually lasts till around 10 pm, when they start charging. The drinks are affordable and extensive, wine, beers, cocktails, shots, whatever you want, Simmons has got it, most likely. Simmons also has a life DJ
Even though the place gets crowded and loud easily, it is always fun, lively, and easy to access. Great for hanging out with friends, celebrating a birthday, or maybe a bachelorette.
Location: 27A Leicester Square, London, United Kingdom (and more than 20 locations across London)
Hours Open: 3:00 pm – 3:00 am (Monday – Saturday)
3:00 pm – 12:30 am (Sunday)
Price Range: £5 – £15
4. Best Bars In London: Cahoots, Underground
Set in a former air-raid shelter, Cahoots invites guests to experience 1940s bar life in an underground station. The bar evokes the feel of unruly decadence with wooden escalators that take guests downward to the bar, vintage train carriages, period music, and cocktails served in everything from mugs to milk bottles.
The Underground station is divided into the main area called the Ticket Hall, which can hold about 320 people. Other areas include the private Signal Station and the Southbound and Northbound platforms, connected by a central passage. Cahoots also organises events like the “Black Market Knees Up” or Bootlegger Breakout every Saturday for a fun theatre flair with guests. The staff even stay in character, dressed in period costume, adding to the playful, immersive feel of the speakeasy.
Cahoots’ drinks collection is as extensive as its underground station itself. Dive into the Scoundrels’ garden with the Victory Garden, a Bombay gin mixed with liquor, or Golden Harvest, a mixture of whiskey and corn liquor. Wine, Cider, Gin, and Champagne are also available aplenty.
Being a non-drinker doesn’t have to stop your fun as well, as Cahoot’s classics are filled with a lot of non-alcoholic drink options. Guests can also get a quick dinner paired with their drinks with the Traditional rations, platform pastries, and toasted treats befitting a station held together by rations.
Cahoot is perfect for parties and gatherings, but access is strictly by reservation or with tickets, so booking firsthand is very important. The station can get loud and lively, but that makes it all the more fun.
Location: 13 Kingly Ct, Carnaby, London, United Kingdom
Hours Open: 5:00 pm – 1:00 am (Monday – Wednesday)
5:00 pm – 2:00 am (Thursday)
4:00 pm – 2:00 am (Friday)
1:00 pm – 2:00 am (Saturday)
4:00 pm – 12:00 am (Sunday)
Price Range: £50 – £90
5. Best Bars In London: Coach and Horses
A local but well-loved bar, Coaches and Horses, is a traditional pub that oozes with character and charm. The decor within the bar is tastefully done with wood paneling, historic photos, and a bar that feels like a time capsule, taking you back in time.
The bar is particularly famous for being a favorite spot for writers, journalists, and artists. It is also associated with the satire magazine Private Eye and particularly revered for being the city’s first vegetarian/vegan pub.
Drinks are usually served in pints, with drinks being more of local ale and traditional lagers of beer. It is much more affordable than cocktails served at lavish bars, and you can also get food from the bar.
The interior of Coach and Horses is not big, sticking in line with traditional pubs, with no frills. However, like a typical pub, conversations are lively, locals are regulars, and each location has its charm.
Location: 29 Greek Street, Soho, London, United Kingdom (and numerous locations across London)
Hours Open: 12:00 pm – 11:00 pm (Monday-Friday)
12:00 pm – 8:00 pm (Sunday)
Price Range: £10 – £25
The London bar scene is a fascinating network of drinks, experiences, and places to choose from. You can go for the exotic experience with theatrical flair, historical charm, and nostalgic pint, or a simple, intimate space where you can nurse your drink in quiet. Something is waiting around the next corner—or maybe underground. So gather your crew, raise a glass, and share in a culture as old as London itself.
