The martini revival is in full swing, and discerning drinkers are trading spritzes for the iconic, sophisticated cocktail. Whether you prefer vodka or gin, dry or dirty, there’s a martini for every mood. Drinks writer Alice Lascelles has sampled them all and curated a map of London’s best martini bars for Vogue, guiding you to the perfect spot for your next martini moment.
For When You’re on Your Way to a Boring Dinner Party
Dukes, a favourite haunt of martini aficionados including James Bond author Ian Fleming, offers a notoriously strong and magnificently cold martini. Prepared table-side in their parlour-like lounge by a team of white-jacketed Italians, using ice-glazed bottles of frozen spirits and fragrant Amalfi lemons, Dukes’ martini is a guaranteed mood booster for any evening. (35 St James’s Place, London SW1A 1NY)
When Someone Else is Picking Up the Tab
Head to The Connaught Bar, a jewel box of a bar with crocodile upholstery frequented by celebrities like Stanley Tucci and Madonna. Their martini experience is a theatrical affair. You choose your spirit and bespoke bitters from the trolley, watch the masterful overhead pour, and then enjoy a night of ice-cold drinks and luxurious black truffle pizza. (16 Carlos Place, London W1K 2AL)
For a Dirty Stop-out in Soho
The Dirty Martini is often misunderstood, but at the chic Three Sheets, they elevate this classic with a crystal-clear take, combining vodka, white wine, olive oil and salt – a truly refreshing and invigorating taste. Or try the Aegean Martini, a unique concoction with preserved lemon, thyme and perfumed fig leaf. (13 Manette Street, London, W1D 4AP; 510b Kingsland Road, London, E8 4AB)
When You’re Pushed for Time
T&E’s One Sip Martini is the perfect solution for the time-pressed. Wheat vodka is stirred down with amber vermouth and fino sherry, then served up in a shot glass garnished with a blue cheese-stuffed olive. Enjoy a quick, potent drink or linger in the warehouse-style bar and discover why founders Monica Berg and Alex Kratena are two of mixology’s most influential tastemakers. (152 Old Street, London, EC1V 9BW)
For a Night of Gossip and Glamour
Julie’s, a legendary restaurant that hosted Kate Moss’s 22nd birthday bash and the Rolling Stones, has returned with a new look and an excellent martini list by Atelier Pip. Indulge in a golden Sauternes Martini with spider crab or a Foxglove Martini with gin, cherry blossom and Green Chartreuse. For a truly private experience, reserve the curtained-off three-seater alcove in the cellar, famously known as the “G spot” in Mick Jagger’s day. (135 Portland Road, London, W11 4LW)
When You’re Thirsty in East London at 3am
Shapes, with its 4am licence and mid-century interiors, is a popular weekend spot. Founder Remy Savage approaches mixology like a perfumer, crafting ingenious cocktails like the Osmanthus Martini, distilled with real osmanthus flowers, and his classy take on the Espresso Martini. Don’t miss the colourful staff jumpsuits by Lane Forty Five – a capsule collection is in the works. (232 Kingsland Rd, Whitmore Estate, London, E2 8AX)
For a Low-Key Night Out
Hidden above London’s oldest restaurant, The Old Operating Theatre Museum and Herb Garret, is The Apothecary, a gilt-and-red hideaway where Edward VII used to meet his mistress, Lillie Langtry. The intimate atmosphere and vintage silver shaker service make this a truly special spot for enjoying a martini. (35 Maiden Lane, Covent Garden, WC2E 7LB)
When You’re Up for Anything
Satan’s Whiskers is the go-to spot for industry insiders on their nights off. With no fixed menu and a changing selection of martinis, expect the unexpected, accompanied by the bar’s famous hip-hop playlist. (343 Cambridge Heath Road, London, E2 9RA)
For the Ultimate Martini Experience
Schofield’s, located in Manchester’s Art Deco landmark, Sunlight House, currently holds the top spot in the UK’s Fifty Best Bars list. Their meticulous attention to detail is evident in their house martini, made with their own brand of vermouth. A London off-shoot is planned for 2025. (3 Little Quay Street Sunlight House, Manchester, M3 3JZ)
These are just a few of the many excellent martini bars in London. With so many options to choose from, there’s a perfect martini experience waiting for you, whether you’re seeking a classic, a creative twist, or simply a spot to unwind and enjoy a perfectly crafted cocktail. For a more comprehensive guide, check out Alice Lascelles’ new book, The Martini: The Ultimate Guide to a Cocktail Icon, published by Quadrille on 26 September.
