London’s nightlife is legendary, and when it comes to cocktail bars, the city truly shines. While iconic venues like The American Bar at The Savoy epitomize elegance, the city also boasts an abundance of charming, intimate cocktail havens. Here, Vogue highlights 10 of the best cocktail bars in London for those seeking a memorable night out.
232 Kingsland Road: Bauhaus-Inspired Charm
This Bauhaus-inspired bar on Kingsland Road is small but perfectly formed. Known for its limited back bar – just 20 bottles of spirits – the bar specializes in expertly crafted, pre-batched cocktails. Classics like lychee and espresso martinis are consistently excellent. Be prepared for potential queues, as the bar remains open until 4 am on weekends. For a more affordable option, explore Warehaus at 538 Kingsland Road, a sister bar offering drinks for under £10.
The Rosewood: Gentlemen’s Club Vibe with a Twist
Inspired by the gentlemen’s clubs that once dotted London, The Rosewood’s hotel bar offers a vibrant and playful atmosphere, devoid of any snobbery. Its walls are adorned with over 1,000 antique books, curated by a Portobello dealer, while British artist Gerald Scarfe’s caricatures add a touch of whimsy. The cocktails are impeccable, featuring intriguing pairings that tantalize the palate. The Gimlet on the Vine, infused with tomatoes, capers, and raspberries, is a prime example of their creative ingenuity.
Kricket Soho: Speakeasy with an Indian Twist
This sleek and subtly sexy speakeasy, located directly beside the beloved Indian-inspired restaurant Kricket’s Soho outpost, is hidden behind a discreet black door. Descend a narrow flight of stairs to discover a low-lit basement with cave-like booths where the focus is firmly on the drinks. The menu features classic cocktails with an Indian twist, with names like “Soma,” a Vedic Sanskrit word meaning “to distill and extract.” Expect a daiquiri made with banana rum, Aphrodite bitters, and spices; a gimlet infused with Opihr gin, curry leaves, and pink peppercorns; and a martini blending vodka, Kashmiri chilli, and pickle brine.
Three Sheets, Lower Third, and Dram: A Soho Trio
This trio of Soho bars provides a perfect hopping itinerary for a Friday or Saturday night. Begin at Three Sheets’ W1 outpost, known for its Dalston origins and creative cocktails like jasmine-infused Pisco Sours and miso-based White Russians. Head over to Lower Third to enjoy live music between rounds of their signature Space Oddities, a citrusy, spicy interpretation of a classic daiquiri. Conclude the night at Dram, a sprawling bar housed in a 17th-century townhouse. Cozy up in the 12-seater downstairs bar for a nightcap, sampling their delightful Plum & Whey – a blend of Kentish plums, High Weald whey, El Dorado 3, and aquavit.
Equal Parts: Aperitivo Haven
Equal Parts is a place to linger. Co-founder Michael Sager designed the bar with Edward Hopper’s “Nighthawks” in mind, creating a space that invites you to enjoy Negronis for hours on end. The décor, inspired by the iconic painting, complements a menu dedicated to classic aperitivi, made with equal pours. The Flor, a combination of olive oil Haku vodka, fino sherry, and tomato, is an ideal weekend starter, while their selection of amaro and bitters is equally enticing.
Velvet by Salvatore Calabrese: A Journey Through Time
Located within The Corinthia, Velvet by Salvatore Calabrese transports you back in time. The menu is inspired by famous figures, featuring cocktails like the Coco Chanel-inspired Gabrielle, a sparkling champagne concoction with passion fruit caviar, and the bold Enzo Ferrari-esque Just My Imagination, infused with salted ricotta. For a truly luxurious experience, delve into their vintage cocktails list, boasting cognacs from the 1930s and vermouths from the 1970s.
Tayer + Elementary: Elegant and Clever
Founded by Artesian alumni Alex Kratena and Monica Berg, Tayer + Elementary is a bar that effortlessly blends elegance and innovation without a hint of pretension. It consistently ranks among the top 10 bars in the world, according to The World’s 50 Best. Essentially two bars in one, Elementary offers a relaxed, all-day concept with a neighborhood feel, home to the One-Sip Martini, while Tayer serves as a mixology lab where Kratena and Berg transform seasonal ingredients, from quince to lovage, into show-stopping drinks.
Satan’s Whiskers: Five-Star Dive
Celebrating its 10th anniversary in Bethnal Green, Satan’s Whiskers stands out in the constantly evolving bar scene of East London. Despite its graffiti-covered exterior, it offers impeccable service and exceptional mixology. This bar is all about the music and the drinks, with a great hip-hop playlist and a rotating, truncated menu that changes every night.
